Snow & Freezing Temperatures Slam Bonney Lake-Sumner

SUMNER-BONNEY LAKE, WA — Frigid temperatures and the possibility of even more snow have led to a number of closures Monday in Bonney Lake and Sumner. As of 10 a.m. Monday, the National Weather reports that it is 18 degrees in Bonney Lake and 16 degrees in Sumner.

The National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Conditions statement, warning of “Accumulating snowfall, bitterly cold temperatures and gusty winds will affect the western U.S. and northern Plains into tonight.”

Pierce County Public Works said that it will be running a 24-hour operation with 28 snow plows on primary snow routes, six trucks to assist with isolated incidents, and three motor grade workers for high-elevation areas. The public works department said that on Sunday night and Monday morning, it applied a solid de-icer to main snow plow routes, and will monitor the roads for 24 hours.

All LRI sites are closed Monday, Pierce County said.

The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District said Sunday that all its facilities, athletics, and activities are canceled until further notice due to poor weather and road conditions. In Bonney Lake, the Municipal Court and Senior Center are closed Monday due to the weather. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department closed its Bonney Lake Park and Ride, Canyon Road, and Cheney Stadium COVID-19 testing sites are also closed.The Lakewood site is scheduled to open at 10:30 a.m.

Bonney Lake crews applied de-icer to priority roads, but said that due to the freezing temperatures, compact snow, and ice, the roadway will have difficulty melting.

Priority roads, including those around medical clinics, schools, main arterials, collector roads, and roads on hills, will be plowed continuously until snow stops falling and sanding is done. As of 9:30 a.m. Monday, Bonney Lake said its crews have shifted their focus to opening up neighborhood roads.

Updates will continue throughout the day on the Pierce County Public Works Facebook and Twitter pages, and the Bonney Lake city Facebook page.

Bonney Lake plow routes can be viewed here. Information from Bonney Lake Public Works on winter preparedness can be viewed here.

Through Dec. 31, a number of local shelters in Tacoma and Puyallup are expanding overnight capacity. A full list can be seen on the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness website.

Snow of less than half an inch is expected to accumulate Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will inch up Tuesday, with a high near 31, calm winds, and a 20 percent chance of snow.

Residents are advised to stay home if possible. Anyone driving is advised to slow down, allow extra time, clear snow off windows, and put extra distance between the vehicle in front. Washington State Police said that on Sunday, troopers responded to 166 collisions in Pierce and Thurston counties.