Olympia area sees snowy, icy conditions Friday morning as schools are delayed, canceled
Olympia area residents once again woke up to snowy, icy conditions on Friday, prompting many schools to delay their starts and one to cancel classes altogether.
The National Weather Service in Seattle warned commuters that black ice was possible on local roads, according to a special weather statement.
Recent snowfall, daytime melting and overnight lows in the 20s can cause moisture to refreeze. As a result, the NWS advised commuters to take extra time and exercise caution Friday.
Temperatures in the Olympia area peaked at 42 degrees and reached a low of 27 degrees on Thursday, according to the NWS. The area also got about 0.7 inches of precipitation.
A similar temperature pattern will likely continue over the weekend and into next week, according to the NWS. Highs may near 40 degrees during the day and lows will fall just below freezing overnight.
After a period of early morning rain, the NWS says skies should gradually clear on Saturday to create mostly sunny conditions.
“Some snow is possible around Puget Sound this (Friday) evening and tonight, but drier easterly flow will quickly bring an end to this winter event early Saturday,” the NWS forecast said.
The NWS indicates there will likely be drier and less active weather than previously thought through the weekend and much of next week.
In the Olympia area, that means there will be a slight chance of rain and snow showers on Sunday, but Monday should be mostly cloudy, the NWS says.
Closures and delays
Tumwater School District canceled school Friday morning after previously indicating classes would start three hours late.
In a message to families and staff, the district said it could not safely move buses through the entire district, and it was concerned about employees commuting in to schools as well.
“We understand that there may be areas where the roads are fine, but there is a vast amount of area in our district that have roads that are sheets of ice,” TSD said in its message.
St. Michael Catholic School also shut down for the day.
Most schools in Thurston County delayed start times by at least two hours and altered bus routes.
The Olympia School District announced all schools would start classes two hours late Friday. All morning buses should pick up students two hours late and run on emergency snow routes. There was no out-of-district transportation.
OSD morning preschool, zero-hour classes, before school activities and childcare also were canceled.
North Thurston Public Schools indicated they would start classes three hours later than normal on Friday. Preschool was canceled.
Yelm Community Schools announced all its schools will start two hours late on Friday. Buses should pick up students two hours later than normal. They also canceled morning out-of-district transportation, morning and afternoon preschool and breakfast service.
Griffin School District said it would start classes two hours late on Friday. Boys and Girls Club and out-of-district transportation were also canceled.
Tenino School District indicated its classes would start two hours late on Friday. Buses should pick up students two hours late. Before school activities, morning preschool and breakfast were canceled as well.
Shelton School District announced classed would start two hours late on Friday. Preschool was also canceled.
The Evergreen State College delayed its opening to 10 a.m. Friday but advised all required personnel should work their normal schedule.
Saint Martin’s University delayed its opening to 11 a.m. Friday.
Olympic College’s Shelton Campus was slated to open at 10 a.m.
South Sound YMCA Child Care Services was not able to provide morning care in North Thurston, Tumwater, Olympia or Shelton school districts, but expected after-school child care to operate as regularly scheduled.
