White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Thanks to Gill for the photo of a snowy White Center street. As you’re likely well aware, the snow has arrived, and is expected to pile up – at least a few inches – overnight. Please don’t go out unless you absolutely must – lots of reports of stuck drivers and slick roads out there. Here are some links of note:

Winter Storm Warning alert (through 4 pm Saturday)
All Metro buses on snow routes
King County winter-response map (traffic-camera links included)

We’ll be adding more.

Thanks to Gill for the photo as the first wave of snow arrived in White Center. It started as flurries and then intensified to a light but steady snowfall for the past hour or so – the Winter Storm Watch alert isn’t officiqlly in effect until Friday afternoon, though, and that’s when the serious snow is expected.

If you missed the snowfall early this morning, Gill provides the photo of a roof with proof. We might see it again before the week is out – the forecast mentions possible snow just about every day and night through next weekend. Regardless of whether snow falls, it will be cold – overnight lows into the 20s. Just a reminder that 39 days remain until winter makes way for spring!

Mid-evening, the National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory alert … and a few hours later, the wind arrived. So far in the North Highline area, we have two major power outages with almost 11,000 customers out of power, plus another big outage in Burien. Stay indoors – lots of trees and wires down around the region.

Thanks to Gill for the view of Wednesday’s vivid sunset!

First, the pounding rain, and mid-50s temperatures … now, the falling snow, and the mercury’s in the 30s! The photo is by Alex (thank you!). Forecasters say the snow won’t last too much longer, though, so appreciate it while we’re seeing it. Tomorrow is still expected to be mostly sunny, followed by a much colder night, maybe into the 20s.

With all that wildfire smoke polluting the air, and hot, dry weather continuing, here’s something else to heed:

King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for King County, which prohibits all outdoor recreational fires. Outdoor cooking and heating appliances are limited to approved manufactured gas and charcoal units only.

The Stage 2 burn ban goes into effect immediately for King County, which was already in a Stage 1 burn ban. Today’s announcement comes after the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag fire danger warning for Northwest Washington that will last through Wednesday of this week.

Abnormally high temperatures and gusty winds, along with low humidity, have prompted both warnings. Large fires in Eastern Washington and Oregon have also contributed to reduced air quality in the Puget Sound region.

During a Stage 2 burn ban, any outdoor fire such as a backyard fire pit or campfire using chopped firewood or charcoal is prohibited. Under the ban, any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue such burning when ordered or notified to do so can be charged with, up to and including, a misdemeanor.

Manufactured portable outdoor devices are allowed, including barbeques and patio warmers that are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Approved fuel devices – including charcoal, natural gas or propane gas – are also allowed.

Ricketts says if residents must smoke, they should exercise extreme caution with their ashes or when they’re extinguishing cigarettes. The county asks residents to be diligent and respectful of their neighbors, and to remember this is a demanding time for first responders.

“The conditions – high temperatures, wind, low humidity – mean everyone should be on high alert about fire safety,” Ricketts said. “Things can become dangerous – and tragic – extremely fast with these conditions. Everyone should be careful.”

Just out of the inbox:

With dry conditions in the forecast, King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Phase 1 burn ban for the unincorporated areas of King County starting today. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

This is a Phase 1 burn ban and applies to all outdoor burning. In addition, the National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of Western Washington, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., today due to potential high wildfire conditions. During such periods recreational fires in affected areas shall be ceased.

Even when the Red Flag Warning is lifted, King County’s Phase 1 burn ban restrictions will still be in place and apply to all outdoor burning, except for small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved campgrounds or private property with the owner’s permission. Recreational fires still pose a risk, so their use shall be limited and respected accordingly. Ricketts says recreational fires must:

-Be built in a metal or concrete fire pit, such as those typically found in designated campgrounds; and not be used as debris disposal
=Grow no larger than three (3) feet in diameter
=Be located in a clear spot, free from any vegetation for at least ten (10) feet in a horizontal direction, including at least 25 feet away from any structure and allow 20-foot vertical clearance from overhanging branches
-Be attended at all times by an alert individual with equipment capable of extinguishing the fire

Ricketts added that because we are still experiencing a pandemic, residents should follow social distancing guidelines, wear face coverings, and stay six feet apart. They can also consult Public Health – Seattle & King County’s hot weather tips during a pandemic.

For properties located within cities, please contact your local jurisdiction for requirements. This ban remains in effect until further notice.

The King County Fire Marshal reminds residents that it is every individual’s responsibility to help prevent fires that destroy lives, property, and our wildland. For more information, visit the Department of Local Services Fire Marshal’s website.

Get the fans out! Monday could get up to 95 degrees, according to the Heat Advisory alert issued by the National Weather Service. We haven’t seen the 90s since July of last year.

The National Weather Service now has our area under a Winter Storm Watch starting at 4 pm Sunday. The topline: “Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of a trace to 2 inches possible with locally up to 4 inches.” Let us know when it starts where you are! (206-293-6302 is our 24/7 hotline, text or voice.)

Thanks to Gill for the photo – the White Center Bog iced over as temps dipped below freezing over the weekend. Now that clouds have moved in, it’s warming up … a little.

The new season’s finally showing its colors in White Center. Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos!

School reopens today! The announcement from Highline Public Schools:

Due to weather and road conditions, all schools are on a two-hour delay on Thursday, February 14. Buses will stop at their alternate bus stops–two hours later than normal.

There will be no breakfast, no morning or afternoon classes for preschool and ECEAP, and no morning classes for PSSC. Afternoon classes for PSSC will be on time. All before school programs are canceled, including clubs, activities and in-school daycare. No transportation will be provided to schools outside of our district.

Find the alternate stops by going here.

The snow’s stopped falling but not gone yet so Highline Public Schools are closed tomorrow:

All schools are closed on Wednesday, February 13. Many roads in the north end of the district are still impassable, and buses are not able to access bus stops–even the alternate stops.

No transportation will be provided to schools outside of our district. All scheduled activities, athletic events and public meetings are canceled.

District administrative offices are open.

Closed for Tuesday, February 12th:

Highline Public Schools
Holy Family Bilingual School
West Seattle Montessori

No waiting until the early-early-morning hours this time – as the next wave of snow arrives, Highline Public Schools has just joined the list of local districts that have already announced they’ll be closed tomorrow.

Enough snow for you? No? Gill Loring shared the photos of what’s already fallen, as more heads this way.

The current National Weather Service alert is a Winter Storm Watch taking effect Sunday aftternoon.

Could be a few more inches!

Hope you are staying safe and warm! The bulk of our snowstorm coverage is on our partner site West Seattle Blog but we’ll post White Center notes here as we get them. First one, from our business-info list:

WHITE CENTER BARTELL DRUGS: Closing at noon Saturday

Anything to add for WC/North Highline, let us know text or voice at 206-293-6302, our 24/7 hotline for both websites.

As announced tonight:

Here’s the Wednesday plan from Highline Public Schools: