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SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., November 30, 2022—Public Works & Utilities crews in cities throughout the county are doing their best to keep priority and secondary roads safe. Once the snow stops, some crews will begin making their way to tertiary streets. Drivers are asked to check their travel routes and options before heading out today and tomorrow. For Emergencies Call 911.

Anti-Ice applications are applied to roadways just ahead of a freeze in an effort to keep ice from building up on the pavement. Roads are then maintained after the snowfall to remove snow, apply sand and close unpassable road sections.

The Lynnwood Times compiled the snow removal route priority maps for major cities throughout Snohomish County. Click on a map enlarge.

National Weather Service Seattle Washington update

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM PST WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Heavy-wet snow accumulations of up to 4 inches in Everett and the vicinity, including Stanwood, Marysville, and Mountlake Terrace. Plan on winter driving conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.

A winter storm warning (areas in pink) has been issued for King & Snohomish Counties through 11AM Wed. Generally expect up to 3-4 inches of additional snow accumulation through tonight (likely less around downtown Seattle) #wawx pic.twitter.com/CNUelxZZ1K

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) November 30, 2022

• Wednesday: A chance of rain before 10am, then a chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
• Wednesday Night: A chance of rain and snow before 10pm, then snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 33. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. East wind around 6 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Thursday: Snow likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. North northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. North northeast wind around 7 mph becoming east southeast in the evening.
• Friday: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Friday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Saturday: A chance of snow, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38.
• Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
• Sunday: A slight chance of rain and snow after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.
• Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Arlington

Priority snow and ice removal routes are cleared with 3 different trucks and include:

• Busiest streets that connect neighborhoods
• Streets used most frequently by public safety agencies
• Streets that serve public institutions such as hospitals and schools
• Streets used by transit agencies

Although non-arterial streets are not a priority, additional routes are addressed as time and equipment allow. I-5, SR530 and SR9 are maintained by WSDOT and streets outside of Arlington are maintained by other agencies. The City of Arlington does not maintain private driveways.

Edmonds

The City’s Winter Storm Operating Procedure can be found here.

Everett

The primary responsibility for coordination of ice and snow control on Everett streets rest with Public Works. The City of Everett’s snow removal plan can be found here.

Lake Stevens

The City of Lake Stevens has adopted a Snow and Ice Plan, which is directed by a designated incident commander.  The plan establishes priority routes and policies used during a snow and ice event. This route plan has 3 priority levels. If you wish to make a request for services on a non-designated route, please call (425) 622-9444. Reserve 911 for emergency and medical services only.

Ranking of route priorities:

• Red = first priority
• Green = second
• Blue = third
• Black/yellow = may have closures

Lynnwood

The City’s highest priority is plowing and sanding major arterial so that emergency first responders (Police, Fire and Public Works) are able to get in and around the city to provide essential services and keep the city operational. On the Snowplow Routes map, you will see two levels of the city’s highest priorities:

1. (Red) First priorities are the red marked streets.
2. (Green) Second priorities are the green marked streets.
3. The city’s next priorities are some of the steepest streets throughout the city.
4. The city’s next priorities are the minor arterial and connection streets.
5. The city’s final priorities are all the other neighborhood streets. These are usually sanded and plowed at night for safety reasons, when traffic is low.

Marysville

During widespread snow and ice conditions, Public Works personnel will focus their removal efforts on the following streets:

• Arterials leading in and out of the City
• Arterials located on hills within City boundaries
• Fire and police access
• All other arterials within City boundaries.

The City’s Snow and Ice Removal Plan divides the city into zones, as illustrated on the Snow and Ice Routes Map. Each zone has certain routes that are a priority to plow and sand.  The Street crews maintain 196 miles of streets within the city during snow and ice conditions. Street crews provide 24-hour coverage, conducting periodic sanding and snow/ice removal using a fleet of winter-ready vehicles that mitigate roadway condition during severe weather events.

Mill Creek

The City’s maintenance staff are responsible for maintaining 50 miles of public sidewalks and 106 lane-miles of street surface, guardrails, application of liquid deicer and sanding during winter snow and icy weather, snow and ice removal, and street signage and pavement markers. To view the map, click here.

Mukilteo

The Public Works Operations Department is responsible for the maintenance of City-owned infrastructure, facilities, and buildings which includes 67 miles of roadways. A link to the City’s Snow Removal and De-icing routes can be found here.

City of Snohomish

The street crew of the Public Works Department for the City of Snohomish is responsible for the maintenance of 40 miles of streets. The City’s Snow and Ice Response Plan has been prepared for the purpose of communicating the designated roadways, in priority order, that will receive snow plowing and sanding services during winter snow and ice events. The City’s plan details this priority at the street-level.

Snohomish County

Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for approximately 1,650 total miles of county-maintained roads. Routes are prioritized based on traffic volume, transit and school bus routes, terrain, and institutional knowledge of historical problem areas.

To view the status of snow removal on county-maintained roads, click here.

[UPDATE] 2:00 a.m. November 30, 2022: Added National Weather Service forecast update and updated maps where applicable

Author: Mario Lotmore