Snowpocalypse 2012

As I was driving home from work last night/this morning, I was thinking that this was the most overblown Snowmageddon we've had in months.  No snow at the Salt Mines, the barest half-hearted flurry on my windshield that could have easily been missed, a couple of Maytag Repairman-lonely snow plows wandering around looking for work...  Then I got passed by a couple of cars with several inches of snow on them, so someone was getting the white stuff...

Woke up to this in the backyard:

The first picture is straight out the back door, the second at an angle towards the street.  As you can see, degree of coverage depends on how sheltered the grass or pavement was: By the garage or under the tree, there's grass exposed; in a more central spot, the grass is barely sticking up.  (This picture simply does not do that neat old tree justice...)

Here's the view from my kitchen window as I started getting my lunch ready for work:

Same view, same camera settings, about 15 minutes later:

 

Current Weather Advisory:

Winter Weather Advisory
Statement as of 8:11 AM PST on January 15, 2012

... Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 10 PM PST this evening...
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow... which is in effect until 10 PM PST this evening.
* Some affected locations... Seattle... Tacoma... Bremerton... and Shelton.
* Timing... snow showers... locally heavy... will persist into the evening hours.
* Total snow accumulations... up to 3 inches.
* Impact... near or below freezing temperatures will result in some icy roads this morning.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow is issued for The Lowlands when 1 to 3 inches is likely to fall in 12 hours.

I think I'd better pack an overnight bag...