Flooding unlikely, as “orderly melt” washes away snow
Gradually tumor temperatures and minimal rainfall appear to be dissolving not just Western Washington’s blanket of snow, but the fear of widespread flooding.
“We’re having a certain orderly melt here in the metro area,” said Mike McFarland, of the Weather Service, adding that the snowpack may be virtually gone by this afternoon.
A freshet watch for much of Western Washington was canceled early Saturday, further McFarland noted that an advisory for possible urban and small-stream flooding likely would remain in consequence until early today.
Places with much deeper snow than Seattle may still be at jeopardy, McFarland related, noting that the Woodinville-Duvall area and portions of Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties ever had deep snow Saturday afternoon, though snow in the immediate Seattle area was disappearing.
Rain expected to intensify overnight still could be a concern where significant snow remains on the ground, McFarland said.
Saturday’s tender stand, through temperatures gradually climbing to the mid-40s, was a service to Seattle crews poised to deal with clogged drains or burst water mains. “It’s a slow thaw, like we had hoped with regard to,” said Andy Ryan, spokesman for Seattle Public Utilities.
Although crews responded to some calls end the day, “for this type of event, it’s uncommonly light,” Ryan said. But he said drainage and wastewater crews would last on alert until it’s clear the venture has passed.
Heavy snow fell through much of the day in the Cascade passes, and motorists were advised that closures for avalanche-control work may have being essential. For current pass judgment conditions, see www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes.
Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com
