Below freezing temperatures and snowfall cause accidents and poor driving conditions in Whatcom County.

A sudden snowfall just before dawn Friday, Feb. 7 has created hazardous driving conditions and put school buses on snow routes in the Bellingham and Lummi Nation school districts.

Western Washington University remains open, but has issued a snow and ice warning and has urged students to take appropriate precautions before trying to walk or drive to school.

The city has urged drivers to take extra precautions in the wake of the recent snowfall, but crashes are already more frequent.

A Bellingham Police Lt. said there were a few crashes early this morning, concentrated in such hilly areas as Barkley and North Shore. No major injuries have been reported in the crashes, he said.

Bellingham Public Works crews applied de-icing solution in advance of the snowfall and were applying a mixture of sand and salt Friday morning. Sanding operations will continue until conditions improve, with priority given to school bus snow routes, WTA bus routes and main arterials, city officials said.

The snowfall was limited to the Bellingham area. Forecasters had not expected snow in Whatcom County.

"It was a little surprising," said a National Weather Service meteorologist.

He described the snow-producing system as a "really small-scale feature" that ended up over the San Juan Islands and Bellingham.

"It's tough to say exactly where these things will pop up." "Bellingham happened to be the center."

What is on the ground — a dusting to about an inch — won't melt in a hurry. The snow is so dry it is blowing off roads and cars in some places. But with temperatures expected to peak at 32 Friday and not get significantly above freezing until Sunday, some snow will be here for the weekend.

Roads may stay slick through then.

The Bellingham area could get a few more flurries Friday night or early Saturday but nothing significant.

The next batch of moisture is expected Sunday night or Monday morning. Depending on the temperatures, it could fall as snow.