Cold Snap Forecast for Seattle Area; Severe Weather Shelters Now Open

Temperatures will drop into the 20s tonight throughout much of the Western Washington region and officials are urging drivers to take it easy on the roads for the Friday morning commute.

The National Weather Service has issued a special statement advising that temperatures could fall into the 20s tonight, and light snowfall will remain a possiblity for many areas into the evening hours.

WSDOT has also issued a winter weather driving advisory as wet roadways are expected to freeze and creating the potential for ice on local roads. Soggy weather could freeze up overnight throughout Western Washington before the Friday's morning commute.

Mercer Island city maintenance crews are also ready to treat local roads, if necessary. A decision will be made at 4 a.m. to de-ice main roads and arterials in the community, as identified by the city's snow and ice response plan, found here. 

Planning for extra time for your trip, increasing stopping distances in icy conditions, and leaving at least three times more space than usual between their car and the vehicle in front of them is advised, according to a WSDOT news release. Other tips can be found on the WSDOT winter weather website.

The cool weather will continue into Saturday, when a weak weather system arrives that could bring 2-3 inches of snow to the Puget Sound-area lowlands.

Mercer Island's forecast calls for a low of 29 tonight and 27 overnight on Friday. Daytime highs will be in the upper 30s on Friday and Saturday.

King County has opened severe weather shelters in Auburn, Kent and Renton. Click here for more information, or click here to see a list of regular winter shelters throughout King County.

The county has also offered following cold-weather safety tips:

1. When the snow begins to fall, road conditions can deteriorate very quickly. Drive only if necessary and limit travel to daylight hours if at all possible. Keep others informed of your schedule and route, and stay on main roads. Register for King County road alerts.
2. If you ride the bus, register for transit alerts and check our timetable for snow routes.
3. Protect your pets by keeping them warm, dry and sheltered with access to non-frozen water.
4. Insulate pipes and wrap outdoor faucets with towels and plastic bags to keep them from freezing.
5. Be aware that power failures and other service disruptions may occur. Keep a battery operated radio, flashlights and extra batteries on hand.
6. Never use charcoal grills, gas grills, or generators indoors, because they can cause a buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide gas which can lead to poisoning or even death.
7. When leaving the house, dress in layers and wear warm clothing, including a hat, gloves and sturdy footwear, even if just running a quick errand.