Another sloppy shot of winter is bearing down on parts of Pierce and southern King counties, with an updated winter weather advisory in effect for the foothills and valleys through 11 a.m. Saturday. Forecasters say another inch or two of wet snow could slick up local roads and throw a wrench into the Friday evening commute.
National Weather Service Seattle/Tacoma issued the updated advisory Friday afternoon, covering Enumclaw, Maple Valley, South Hill, Eatonville, Graham and Bonney Lake. The office is calling for additional accumulations of 1 to 2 inches and says "widespread snow will wrap up this evening." A Puget Sound convergence zone could still spin up a few extra bands of snow in the foothills through the first part of Saturday.
Where it will matter
The brunt of the mess is expected on low-elevation hill roads and in valley neighborhoods south and east of central Puget Sound, where quick bursts of heavy, wet snow can turn unplowed streets icy in a hurry. Local reporting has already flagged the potential for commute headaches in Tacoma-area suburbs, especially on hills and untreated side streets, as The News Tribune reported.
How to prepare
Officials are nudging drivers to think like it is midwinter, not early spring. Pack a basic winter survival kit in the car: an ice scraper, jumper cables or a booster pack, a small shovel, a flashlight and a blanket. If the roads look slick, they would rather you skip the trip than test your luck on a steep hill.
Check real-time road and pass conditions before heading out and consider traction devices for steeper routes, following local emergency guidance from Pierce County. If you have to drive, give yourself extra time and leave a longer stopping distance, especially on hills and bridges where ice can sneak up on you.
What officials are saying
The Weather Service is blunt about what to expect, warning residents to "plan on slippery road conditions" that could affect the Friday evening commute and to be ready for possible power outages. Those same cautions are showing up in local advisories, and emergency agencies are reminding people to sign up for local alerts and avoid travel unless it is really necessary, according to National Weather Service Seattle/Tacoma.
Before you go
Before you roll out, pull up WSDOT's travel page for live cameras and up-to-date chain and traction requirements, and keep an eye on local news for any closure or outage updates. If the trip cannot wait, slow down, pad your schedule and bring a charged phone and spare warm layers, as advised by WSDOT.
