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"It could be very difficult – you could start thinking about adapting your plans for the weekend if possible," the Washington Department of Transportation said in a statement. "… If heavy snow falls, we can not do more and it will affect the roads, the roads will be tarred, the bridges / ramps / overpasses will be frozen, collisions will increase and traffic will be difficult."
"At these low temperatures, even if a road seems to be clear, it could be icy," said WSDOT. "Aside from not traveling at all, there is no better way to be safe in these conditions than to slow down and be cautious."
The storm affects some planned activities, with an appearance of Michelle Obama at Tacoma Dome on Friday. postponed to next month.
Frosty Temperatures and Strong Winds
More than 12 million people in the northwestern United States are under winter weather warnings . Seattle, which receives an average of 6.8 inches of snow a year, is subject to a winter storm alert.
If Seattle reaches the expected six inches of snow it will only be the fourth time the region has seen the same number since 1991.
The winds that should accompany the storm could be problematic, blowing snow, as well as power lines and fallen trees. Gusts of wind could reach 20 to 30 mph in the Seattle area, while the northern areas of Puget Sound and the Olympics could record gusts of 60 mph.
Temperatures will drop below freezing Friday night and will not return above 32 degrees until Sunday.
These temperatures, combined with the wind, would give the impression that it's teenagers' night in the Seattle area on Saturday.
If that were not enough, there could still be snow in Seattle Sunday to Monday. .
Several school districts in the Greater Seattle area close early Friday due to winter weather hazards.
Seattle, Kent, Tacoma and Mercer Island are among the districts that announced early release of students and faculty.
The school asks students and employees to "exercise caution when they walk on campus and around it."
The Tacoma and Bothell campuses also announced the suspension of operations starting Friday. weekend.
Monday's Storm
Earlier this week, another storm closed Seattle and left neighborhoods with about half a foot of snow.
Seattle Public Schools Monday announced that classes would start two hours late for its 53,000 students. "But with the increase in snowfall, it was determined that the roads were too difficult in ice and snow," spokesman Tim Robinson said in an e-mail.
More than 12,000 people are without electricity in the state of Washington because of snow-related failures. 19659003] The Department of Transport stated that many shipwrecks had been reported on highways and that Interstate 5 in Seattle had been closed for snow removal and wreckage.
CNN Judith Jones, Ralph Ellis, Haley Brink and Keith Allen and Joe Sterling contributed to this report.
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