Tacoma City Council Meeting Postponed, Vaccines Clinics Close

TACOMA, WA — Cancellations in Tacoma as frigid weather continues. The City Council meeting and study session have been postponed until Tuesday, Jan. 4. Vaccine clinics at St. Ann Parish, the Mustard Seed Project in Lakebay, and the Trinity Food Pantry have all been canceled.

Cheney Stadium also reopened for COVID-19 testing, though appointments are still required. The Bonney Lake, Enumclaw, and Grays Harbor Discovery Health COVID testing sites are still closed Tuesday.

Meanwhile, city and county crews are continuing to work round the clock to continue to plow roads after more light snow fell Monday night. Main arterials are given priority, followed by residential roads. A snow circulator is also running in downtown Tacoma, Pierce Transit said. As numerous accidents occur between drivers and snow plows all over Tacoma and Pierce County, drivers are reminded to leave at least 100 feet behind snow plows, and not attempt to pass them.

In Tacoma it is 27 degrees as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. Temperatures have risen by about 10 degrees since Monday, which the National Weather Service said was the coldest day in Seattle in 31 years.

Snow and freezing temperatures are expected to continue for the rest of the week in Tacoma. Temperatures are expected to drop to about 23 degrees Tuesday night, and there is a 40% chance of snow that will accumulate less than half an inch. Wednesday will see a high near 30. More significant amounts of rain and snow are expected Wednesday night, and continue throughout Thursday. The National Weather Service predicts an accumulation of 1-3 inches. Temperatures will crack the 40s for the first time on New Year’s Day, and are expected to hover around the early 40s with rain for the next few days.

In Pierce County, all yard waste sites are now open except the Key Center Transfer Center in Lakebay are open Tuesday. Full Pierce County road closures and winter weather updates can be found here.

Pierce Transit is also offering free rides to the Lighthouse Activity Center and the Tacoma Rescue Mission in Tacoma as an extended warming center. Through Dec. 30, 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.

The following parks in Tacoma remain closed Tuesday:

• People’s Community Center Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
• Northwest Trek Wildlife
• Park Point Defiance Marina Tacoma Nature Center
• Fort Nisqually Meadow Park Golf Course W.W. Seymour Conservatory

Residents are still 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, especially snow plows. Vehicles are advised to stay at least 100 feet behind snow plows, and to not attempt to pass them. Washington State Police said that on Sunday, troopers responded to 166 collisions in Pierce and Thurston counties, and over 70 were reported Monday. Many collisions between plows and vehicles took place between plows and vehicles.

For more tips on how to drive safely on the ice and avoid frozen pipes, visit Bonney Lake’s winter preparedness page.