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Seattle could get 14 inches of snow this weekend … here are some de-icing tips

caption: Bryan Baker sleds with his 5-year-old daughter Avery Baker on Monday, February 4, 2019, next to the West Queen Anne playfield at the intersection of 3rd Avenue West and West Howe Street in Seattle.
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Bryan Baker sleds with his 5-year-old daughter Avery Baker on Monday, February 4, 2019, next to the West Queen Anne playfield at the intersection of 3rd Avenue West and West Howe Street in Seattle.
KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer

Another round of snow may be coming our way.

Starting Friday afternoon, five to 10 inches of snow are forecast around the Puget Sound area, according to the National Weather Service. Up to seven inches are possible in Seattle

Worst case scenario is 14 inches, said National Weather Service forecaster Jay Albrecht.

Given that, we are here to help with tips for de-icing your sidewalk. De-icer was out at stores around Seattle on Monday, but you don’t need to rely on the official stuff. The City of Seattle asks that people shovel sidewalks, and use salt to melt the ice.

If salt isn't available, you can also use dark soil, which will attract heat and help with melting.

Kitty litter is another method to break down the ice. As for driving, try not to do it in icy conditions. And if you do, drive slowly. In your car, keep a blanket, water, sand and a shovel so that if you do get stuck, you have some tools. If you want to see if your road has been plowed recently, the city has a live map.

Emergency and transportation officials recommend people wait for buses at the tops of hills, not mid-hill, and stay indoors when possible.

Right now it looks like the heaviest snowfall will be Friday night into Saturday morning.

In addition to snow, strong winds could knock out power and knock down trees. Places like Bellingham could see gusts up to 60 miles per hour. Seattle could get between 35 and 45 miles per hour.

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