Snow Showers, Slick Bellevue Streets A Possibility for Friday's Commute

As Bellevue Patch blogger John Locatelli asked last week, ""

It's beginning to look a lot like winter around the Puget Sound region, with rain and possible snow tonight and Friday morning.

Even if snowflakes do fall, the National Weather Service says little or no accumulation is expected.  While you might not want to take out your snow boots and sleds, you might want to be careful in your morning commute, with rain and snow showers possible before 10 a.m.

As temperatures drop, the "s" word is also on the tip of many people's tongues. The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement saying snow is "possible" over the East Puget Sound lowlands Thursday night and Friday.

Friday's forecast for Bellevue predicts the snow level will drop from 1,000 to 400 feet, a level that's below some parts of the Somerset neighborhood. Temperatures are also expected to be quite chilly, with overnight lows in the high 20s and low 30s beginning Thursday evening and continuing through Saturday night.

Click here to view the complete NWS forecast for Bellevue. You can click once on the map to adjust the forecast to your specific neighborhood.

And you can check Bellevue Patch if the snow causes any school delays.

City of Bellevue warns of slick streets

Although significant snow accumulations aren't predicted for Bellevue roads, there is a chance of slushy short- term snow accumulations on hills down to 500’ to 800’ elevation.  Snow at higher elevations is predicted to begin late Thursday afternoon, with possible icy road conditions early Friday and early Saturday.

Missed garbage pickups in bad weather

Allied Waste Services generally does not pick up if snow or ice prevents safe navigation of trucks on neighborhood streets. If your garbage, recycling or yard debris is not collected, take materials back in. Extra garbage, recycling and yard debris will be collected at no additional charge on the next regularly scheduled collection day (a week later). Excess materials due to missed collection can be put in a temporary container, such as a box or paper bag marked “Garbage,” “Recycling” or Yard Debris.” Customers who have questions concerning their collection should call Allied Waste’s customer service at 4250-452-4762.

Safety Tips for winter weather:

• Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
• Call Utilities at 425-452-7840 to report flooding, hazardous roads, water main breaks and sewer overflows.
• To report gas leaks, power outages, and down power lines, please call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773.
• Prepare for difficult commutes – plan your routes and avoid peak commute hours if at all possible. Drive only if necessary and go slow, allowing extra following distance.
• Treat dark intersections as four-way stops.
• If you use a grill or hibachi to cook or a backup generator, keep them outside with the back- up generator.  They can produce deadly Carbon Monoxide gas. 
• Build Emergency Kits for your family to have at home, in the car and at school or work. Your kit should sustain you for 72 hours or longer.  Place in your Emergency Kit:
• Food, water, first aid kit, a small tool kit, seasonal clothing, eye protection, flashlight with batteries, gloves, sanitary supplies, sleeping bags and extra blankets.  Remember to add those special supplies if you have small children or you care for a someone with special needs. Items for your pets should also be included.
• To prevent frozen outdoor pipes, insulate them with newspaper, rags or other insulating material. Cover with plastic and secure with string or wire.
• If a water pipe breaks, immediately turn off the main water shut-off valve and/or water meter to control flooding and water damage. Then call a plumber. The main water shut-off valve is usually located in the basement, garage or outdoors by the foundation. If there is no main shut-off valve, there is a valve in the meter box. Turn clockwise with an adjustable wrench.
• Stay inside if possible instead of trying to navigate slippery walkways or roads. If you must go out, have traction devices in your vehicle. Test new chains to make sure they fit (some may not, even though the box says they fit a certain model). Take a cell phone with you in case your car gets stuck.
• Locate alternate routes and alternative parking if you live on streets in steep terrain. Stay on main roads. Do not park in intersections or block streets.
• Take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady areas; all are hot spots for black ice.
• Give snowplows room to work. The plows are wide and can cross the centerline or shoulder. Do not tailgate and try not to pass. If you must pass, take extreme caution and beware of the snow cloud.  
• Keep sidewalks next to your home clear of ice and snow, but be careful not to overexert yourself. 

-- Information from the city of Bellevue