Seattle is unaccustomed to heavy snow. When over three feet of snow fell between January 31 and February 2, 1916, city workers and snowplows struggled to keep downtown intersections and streetcar tracks clear. According to the Seattle Times, passing automobiles pushed the snow and slush back onto the cleared spaces. The freezing mass turned into giant snowballs which caused "the absolute ruination of tires and tempers."

This photo, taken during the 1916 blizzard, shows streetcars trying to make their way along Seattle's Second Avenue. Snow caps the streetlight bulbs, while pedestrians rush through the cold weather, leaving blurs on the photographic film.

Photographer's Reference Number: 47704