Storm brings most snow of the season

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The most extensive snowfall of the season so far hit Jefferson County overnight Monday.

With the first flakes falling in the late hours of the night on Monday, Dec.19, plows were out by 2 a.m. Tuesday morning.

“This is the most widespread event this year,” said Matt Steward, the road maintenance superintendent for Jefferson County Public Works.

Some parts of Port Townsend had 5 inches or so of the white stuff by noon.

As of Tuesday morning, it was yet to be seen whether there would be more accumulation than earlier more focused snow falls, however, Steward said.

With 11 plows out Monday morning from north to south, the department had already been long up and running to help rubber hit road.

Salting began in advance of the main event on Sunday night, with additional trips to salt more thoroughly throughout the day Monday.

“Last night we let the first couple 10ths fall, then we started a shift at 0:200 that has been blowing and salting when necessary,” Steward said on Tuesday.

As the sun began to rise somewhere behind the blanket of snowy clouds, school closures began rattling in across the county with Brinnon, Quilcene, and Port Townsend canceling all classes and after-school activities for the day Tuesday.

Winter weather routing also took effect for Jefferson Transit with eight routes with reduce service.