The National Weather Service in Seattle at noon Sunday issued a winter weather advisory through Monday night for snow showers in the Greater Seattle area, from Tacoma to Everett.

Snow accumulations of one to two inches are possible today, mainly north and east of Seattle, with scattered snow showers or flurries expected tonight. In addition, one to three inches of snow are forecast for Monday.

Temperatures are expected to be below freezing Sunday night and will continue to fall Monday afternoon and evening. Wind chill temperatures are likely to be in the teens Monday evening, the weather service said.

Remember that notices of school closures will be posted on the School Reports website, and that detailed information about Edmonds School District closures or late starts can be found here.

The City of Edmonds has created a snow route priority map, above, indicating which roads will receive priority treatment for sanding and plowing. According to Public Works, drivers should use this map to determine the safest driving routes in Edmonds during a snow event.

The City of Edmonds has three dump trucks equipped with sanders and plows. Over the summer, the Public Works Department added pre-wetting systems to the sanders, which sprays anti-ice onto the sand to enhance traction in icy conditions. They also have a 1-ton flatbed with a plow as well as anti-ice truck. Crews are on call 24/7 to respond to snow storm events, said Public Works Director Phil Williams.

In addition, the City has an agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation to access the salt/sand mix stored at their facilities. The city avoids using salt due to its negative environmental impact, but will use salt/sand mixture as a last resort in order to break up icy conditions on major arterials.

According to information provided by Public Works, the city has received many requests to extend its anti-ice treatments, but notes that anti-icing material provides the highest benefit on the City’s most heavily traveled routes.  Since higher traffic volume packs the snow and turns it into ice, anti-icing material helps melt the snow so that the ice does not form as easily and if it does form, the ice doesn’t bond as easily to the pavement.

Here are the priority routes as outlined in the map:

1.    196^th / Puget / 9^th / Caspers / 3^rd from  76^th to Woodway City Limits

2.    SR 104 – Main Street to Mountlake Terrace

3.    5^th Ave S – Dayton to SR 104

4.    Walnut / Bowdoin – 9^th to 5 Corners (Bus Route 10^th Ave to Walnut to Maple to 9^th)

5.    212^th – 5 Corners to SR 99

6.    220^th – SR 99 to 100^th

7.    76^th – SR 104(Edmonds Way) to North Meadowdale Road

8.    Main Street – 5 Corners to Railroad Ave

9.    9^th Ave – Puget to 220^th

10. 100^th – 220^th to 244^th

11. 244^th – 100^th to SR 99

12. SR 99  Lynnwood to Shoreline.(We no longer do ramps at SR 104)

13. 84^th – 238^th to 5 Corners

14. 238^th – SR 99 to SR 104

15. Stevens Hospital (216^th – SR 99 to Hospital Entrance)

16. 236^th – SR 99 to 92^nd St.

17. OVD – 76^th to Puget.

18.  100^th Ave – 236^th to 244^th

19. Dayton Street – 9^th to SR 104

20. 88^th – Puget to 200^th

21. Maplewood – 200^th to Main St

The Public Works Department also recommend the following tips:

– Move vehicles from city streets until snow removal is complete, as crews can plow better when cars are not parked on the street;

– Locate alternate parking if you live on a steep hill;

– Stay off roads unless absolutely necessary;

– Give yourself time to get to your destination and allow plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead of you;

– Review the priority routes and plan your trip accordingly; and

– Install traction tires and carry chains.

When you encounter trucks engaged in snow or ice removal, Public Works asks that you yield the right of way, if you can do so safely, keep back at least 50 feet and don’t attempt to pass.