Downtown Seattle has several hills and our bedroom communities commute into the city for work. Many of them don't live in downtown Seattle. This means on the slightest chance of snow or flooding in or around Seattle our local school districts call in school closure information to our local news stations. If you want to know about school closures, view traffic cameras, get traffic updates, find road closures in your area, learn safety tips for driving in the snow or find out what to do when the roads are flooded; this is your ultimate guide for staying informed of winter weather and closures in Western Washington.

And remember, when snow falls or floods take over roads in your neighborhood err on the side of caution. If you don't need to drive stay home or telecommute for your job that day. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Find School Closures

King5 News School Closure List

Komo4 News School Closure List

View Traffic Cameras

Komo4 News Traffic Cameras

King5 News Traffic Cameras

Find Road Closure in Your Area

• King County Road Closures
• Snohomish County Road Closures
• Pierce County Road Closures
• Skagit County Road Closures
• Whatcom County Road Closures
• Statewide Road Closures

Check Bus & Train Schedules

Make sure your bus is running (many buses in inclement weather are cancelled in the Seattle area).

Also make sure your train is running.

How to Drive Safely in Seattle Area Snow

Assess your situation for the day. Do you really need to be driving today? Is it an emergency? Can you walk (wear traction devices on the bottom of your shoes for safety when walking on ice), can you mountain bike, or cross country ski instead?

No? Then stay home and enjoy the snow. If you must drive here are some tips to do so safely. According to our local police the number one reason for accidents on Seattle area highways is because drivers go too fast. You can't drive at the same speed on wet and icy roads as you would on dry roads.

• If you must drive be sure you have chains in your vehicle. So if you get into trouble you can put chains on your tires.
• When driving keep a large cushion of distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. Remember, it only takes one small patch of black ice to spin you or the person in front of you off the road. Black ice is commonly found in shady areas, highway underpasses, bridges, and in the middle of intersections.
• The pace of Seattle traffic can change suddenly and it usually means one of two things: an accident has happened or an accident almost happened. Keep your eyes open and drive defensively at all times during inclement weather.
• When braking in the snow be sure your tires are straight and that you tap your breaks lightly. Do not slam on the brakes.
• Look for alternate routes. If you need to drive somewhere that involves a hill see if there is an alternate route you can take so you don't have to negotiate an icy hill. If a hill is closed it is closed for a reason and oftentimes closed hills have kids sledding down them. So find another route. If you must drive up a hill don't try to slow down the vehicle as this will stop the momentum of speed needed to summit. If driving down a hill use a low gear to slow down instead of using your brakes.
• If you slide or skid don't make sudden movements. Instead simply take your foot off the gas and keep your foot off the brakes until you have safely gained control of your vehicle.
• If you get in an accident during an unexpected snow storm in the Puget Sound only call 911 if you have a life or death emergency. It's likely you aren't the only one suffering from a fender bender. So exchange insurance information and file a report later. You could help save someone's life who really needs 911 that day.

Get up to date weather conditions.

Seattle Area Flooding Tips
Major flooding occurs in the Puget Sound after heavy snowfall. When the snow melts the water runoff can overwhelm our surrounding streams, rivers, and levees. And added rainfall during snow melt makes the problem worse. If you experience flooding in your area here are tips to follow:

• Do not drive unless it's an emergency.
• Do not drive through a flooded area. If a road is flooded-out turn around and find a different route.
• If you can't find another route get to higher ground until the water subsides.
• Many local drivers make the mistake of thinking the water is shallow and then they try to cross it. Don't do this as the road underneath the water could be gone due to the flooding.
• Vehicles can easily stall when driving through water. If your car stalls abandon it and climb to higher ground.
• It takes only six inches of water to reach the bottom of most cars, which can cause loss of control and stalling.
• It takes only one foot of water to float most vehicles.
• And it takes only two feet of rushing water to sweep cars, SUVs and, pick-ups right off the road.
• If your city is asking you to evacuate don't hesitate. Because when levees break it happens fast and then you'll really be stuck.