Icy conditions prompt school delays in Thurston County Wednesday morning
Multiple Thurston County schools delayed their starts Wednesday after freezing rain created icy conditions overnight.
The National Weather Service in Seattle issued a winter weather advisory Tuesday, warning of freezing rain and possible snow into early Wednesday morning.
That advisory expired overnight as temperatures began to warm. In posts on X, the NWS said it had received reports of patchy black ice across the region Wednesday. The agency warned the public to be prepared for lingering icy spots on side streets, driveways and sidewalks through the morning.
NWS data shows the Olympia area saw a low 16 degrees and about 0.14 inches of rain Tuesday. The forecast indicates there’s a chance of rain and snow through Thursday, followed by a high chance of rain the rest of the week.
The high Thursday is expected to be about 37 and the low about 35, according to the forecast. Highs will likely cross into the 40s starting Friday, and are expected to reach the 50s by early next week.
A cold front maintained cooler and wetter conditions going into Wednesday, but a series of warm fronts will likely result in rain through early next week.
Here are the school districts that delayed their starts Wednesday.
Olympia School District: 2-hour late start. All AM buses on emergency snow routes. No out-of-district transportation.
North Thurston Public Schools: 3-hour late start. No preschool. No out-of-district transportation.
Tumwater School District: 3-hour late start. No preschool. Buses on snow routes. No zero-hour classes, no morning before-care. Littlerock Elementary is closed. No out of district transportation.
Yelm Community Schools: 3-hour late start. Buses will use alternate routes. No morning or afternoon preschool, no morning out-of-district or Skills Center transportation and no breakfast service.
Rochester School District: 2-hour late start. No preschool. No out-of-district transportation.
Tenino School District: 2-hour late start. No preschool. Bus routes 3 and 9 on snow routes.
Rainier School District: 2-hour late start. No preschool. No out-of-district transportation. All buses on snow routes. All schools release at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Griffin School District: 2-hour late start. No preschool. No out-of-district transportation. Buses on emergency snow routes.
Shelton School District: 2 hours late, morning buses on snow routes
Centralia School District: 2 hours Late, morning buses on snow routes, no out-of-district transportation
Oakville School District: 2-hour late start, no breakfast served, no before-school program
Olympic College: All campuses open at 10 a.m.
Pope John Paul II High School: 2 hours late
St. Michael Parish School, Olympia: 2 hours late, no half-day pre-kindergarten, no morning care.
Centralia College: 2-hour delayed start. Classes occurring before 10 a.m. are canceled. Campus operations will begin at 10 a.m.
Saint Martin’s University: 3 hours late. Operations and classes will begin at 11 a.m.
Skokomish Tribe: Closed until 10 a.m.
