Seattle Department of Transportation’s goal is to achieve bare and wet pavement on specified streets within eight hours after a lull in the storm.

Seattle’s Winter Environment

Here in Seattle, some winters bring heavy snowfall and other years see no snow accumulation at all. A weather phenomenon called the Puget Sound Convergence Zone causes some parts of the city to get inches of snow, while other parts get rain or even sun.

Seattle is not Snoqualmie Pass! In Seattle, we may use trucks for paving streets one day and deicing the next. A greater investment in snow fighting equipment would not be a good value for the taxpayers year to year.

Steep topography, like the Queen Anne Counterbalance, First Hill and the intersection of 35th Avenue SW and Avalon, add to the complexity of snow fighting in Seattle. Hills can consume lots of time and effort and still not be drivable. A few stuck cars can tie up an important arterial for hours.

In any city, snow fighting is complicated by urban factors such as parked cars, pedestrians and narrow roads. Cities with regular heavy snowfall often have winter parking restrictions that make it easier to plow streets. Since we don’t have regular significant snowfall in Seattle, these sorts of parking restrictions are not practical. In addition, Seattle has an intricate system of trolleys with overhead wires that cannot be rerouted.

What to Expect when it snows

Know the Snow Map! SDOT commits to clearing snow from identified routes throughout the city within a specified time frame. The snow map can help you know what to expect.

We commit to using all the tools at our disposal to make sure that the people of Seattle as well as our interagency partners are fully informed and involved in our snow response.

SDOT and Metro have worked together to ensure that bus routes will be clear. People will be able to get around the city by bus, making it easier to leave their cars at home.

Drivers have some special responsibilities. If driving is unavoidable, drivers are responsible for outfitting their cars for winter weather, including chains or traction tires.