Snoqualmie Pass will reopen at 2:30 p.m. today. Be prepared for backups.
As of 1 p.m., I-5 from Olympia to Tacoma is bare and wet. Drivers need to avoid the shoulder due to heavy slush.
Traffic on State Route 3 near Pickering Road, in Mason County near Shelton has reopened to traffic.
Thurston County
With heavy snow predicted through Wednesday, Thurston County Public Works has moved to a round-the-clock schedule to plow county roads. Keeping arterials or “lifeline” roads clear is the county’s number 1 priority, according to a press release.
With continued heavy snowfall, it’s likely that plows won’t be available to clear less-traveled roads in neighborhoods and sub-divisions until after the storm has passed. The forecast by the National Weather Service calls for rain and warmer temperatures by Thursday. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel. If travel is unavoidable, please take the following precautions:
• Let a friend or relative know where you’re going and when you expect to arrive.
• Make sure your vehicle has plenty of gas.
• Carry a flashlight, an extra blanket, water, food and a snow shovel with you.
• Take a brightly colored cloth to tie to your antennae in case you become stranded.
• Please aid snow plows by removing trash cans from streets and curbs, and by not parking on streets or roadways.
Off roaders
Drivers headed into Capitol Forest should be prepared for up to a foot of snow on unplowed roads at lower elevations. There are also numerous small trees and branches downed on Waddell Creek Road.
Power outages
As of 11:30 a.m., Puget Sound Energy was reporting scattered power outages in Thurston County.
JBLM
Due to projected poor weather and road conditions, JBLM service members and civilian employees who are not designated as mission essential (Air Force level Bravo) or critical (Air Force level Alpha) are authorized an early release today, beginning at 3 p.m.
Organizations
Timberland Libraries The following libraries are closed: McCleary, Oakville, Amanda Park, Centralia, Chehalis, Salkum, Shelton and Hoodsport. All remaining branches will close at 4 p.m.
South Sound YMCA-Child Care Services: Olympia school district child care programs closed today.
All classes/programs offered through The City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation are cancelled today.
Buses
Intercity Transit
Intercity Transit routes are on snow detour:
As of 3 p.m.:
Route 43 is on MODIFIED SNOW DETOUR. No service on Barnes, Linwood, or 7th. Instead, buses are traveling on Hwy. 101, 2nd Avenue, Custer and Cleveland to Tumwater Square; when leaving Tumwater Square, buses are traveling on Custer, Capitol Boulevard and E Street to Hwy. 101. Given difficult road conditions, one or more of the following may also go into effect:
If Lakeridge Drive is closed, Rt. 43 will serve SPSCC via I-5 and Highway 101. Intercity Transit will provide shuttle service between SPSCC, Thurston County Courthouse and vicinity.
If Barnes Boulevard over Tumwater Hill is impassable, the bus will follow the alternative routing shown between SPSCC and Tumwater Square.
If the Crosby entrance to SPSCC is closed, the bus will serve SPSCC from Mottman Road only.
Both routes 43 and 44 are using the Mottman entrance to SPSCC, instead of Crosby entrance.
Route 47 is on MODIFIED snow detour. Route 47 is bypassing the 4th and 5th Ave hills. Buses are traveling on Harrison to Decatur then back on route.
Route 64 is on standard snow detour in Olympia, bypassing Union between Central and Boulevard and using State, 4th and Pacific instead
All other Intercity Transit buses are running regular routes but may be delayed due to road conditions
Intercity Transit will move to severe weather operation beginning early Wednesday morning, Jan. 18. This means buses will operate with chains, some routes will be on detour and some routes may be cancelled or provide only limited service, based on weather and road conditions. Conditions can change quickly during winter storms and transit officials encourage riders to visit www.intercitytransit.com for service updates and snow detour information or call 360-786-1881. Dial-A-Lift and most other services are operating but only in areas where it is safe to travel.
Pierce Transit
As of 12:30 p.m.:
All Pierce Transit routes are running normal and on schedule.
Pierce Transit riders should visit www.piercetransit.org for service updates and detailed snow detour maps, or call 253-984-8155 for automated information.
Mason Transit
Mason Transit Weather Update: Mason Transit will not be running ASA (After School Service) today.
MTA has resumed Route 2 at this time Currently at 7:53 Route 8 is suspended Route 5 is running on a modified route and will not be using Turner, Mason St, Fairmont Cove Apts. And the Library. Route 7 will not access Oak Park at this time Dial A Ride is Limited
City of Olympia
Crews on 24-Hour Shifts: City of Olympia street crews are on 24-hour shifts. Their primary focus is on lifeline roads and major hills. Lifeline roads are the main routes that fire, police and transit use. Olympia has five dump trucks, that have been outfitted with snow plows. Abbreviated City Council Meeting Tonight: With predictions of freezing temperatures and the possibility of several inches of snow later tonight, the Olympia City Council will meet at City Hall, 601 4th Avenue E, for an abbreviated session at 7:00 p.m. to consider a couple of time sensitive items only. The City Council special meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. has been cancelled. Non-action items on the Council’s 7:00 p.m. agenda will be rescheduled.
Olympia Parks Classes Cancelled: All Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation classes and activities are cancelled for Tuesday, January 17. The Olympia Center will close at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday.
Park and Trail Closures: Priest Point and West Bay parks, Garfield Nature Trail and Watershed Park Trail are closed until further notice due to icy conditions and the potential for falling tree limbs.
Expect Snow Berms: Due to the amount of snow being pushed by plows, residents should expect snow berms across driveways and neighborhood streets.
Garbage Collection: City crews are attempting to reach regular Tuesday customers, however some areas may not be accessible. Leave your cart at the curb if not collected.
Schools
Centralia: Closed.
Charles Wright Academy: Two hours late.
Chehalis: Closed.
Clover Park: UPDATE Closed and evening activities are canceled.
Clover Park Technical College: Evening classes are cancelled.
Elma: UPDATE Closed.
The Evergreen State College: Opens at 10 a.m., and will close at 4 p.m.
Grapeview: Two hours late. No preschool, kindergarten or out-of-district transportation.
Grays Harbor College: All evening classes are cancelled.
Griffin: Closed.
Hood Canal: Closed.
Mary M. Knight: Closed.
McCleary: Closed.
Montesano: Closed.
Napavine: Closed.
North Mason: Closed and after-school activities are canceled. North Thurston: Closed and evening activities are canceled.
NOVA School: Closed.
Oakville: Two hours late.
Olympia: Closed. Olympia Waldorf: Closed and all programs and meetings are canceled.
Olympic College: Shelton campus closed. Bremerton and Poulsbo remain open.
Pierce College: 10 a.m. start.
Pioneer: Closed.
Pope John Paul II High School: Closed and no evening activities.
Rainier: UPDATE Closed.
Rochester: UPDATE Closed.
Saint Martin’s University: Lacey, JBLM & Centralia campuses closed / All classes cancelled. STAR Program Info Night cancelled.
Shelton: Closed.
South Puget Sound Community College: Olympia campus and Hawks Prairie Center are closed to all students, employees and visitors.
Steilacoom: Closed and no out-of-district transportation.
Tenino: UPDATE Closed.
Toledo: UPDATE Closed.
Tumwater: Closed and no out-of-district transportation.
WaHeLut Indian Schools: Two hours late.
Winlock: Closed.
Yelm: UPDATE Closed.
