NORTH END – Bring on the fluffy white flakes.

As nature’s winter weather specialty cascaded upon the North End throughout Thursday morning and afternoon, residents and school children were out and about enjoying the rare treat.

School was canceled, city hall closed at 1 p.m. and a handful of businesses didn’t open or closed early as employees dared not traverse the snow-covered streets.

A few wheels were spinning as drivers tried to climb some of the area’s intimidating hills, but for the most part it was businesses as usual.

One mother and son duo in from Hansville took advantage of the free day and the weather to perfect a little driving-in-the-snow lesson.

Folks were taking strolls down the sidewalks, dog in tow, or enjoying a cup of Joe and a doughnut.

“We wanted to get a cup of coffee and the dog likes the snow, we like the snow,” said Nathan Skelley as he sat with wife, Lori, and daughter Darcy outside Hot Shots Thursday morning.

Inside the café it was toasty warm and owner David Musgrove was appreciative of the influx of foot traffic.

“We’re busy, which is really super,” he said. “People are out and about getting warm drinks. The spirits are very good everybody seems to be happy.”

It was even business as usual for some of the area’s Public Works services.

Poulsbo Public Works Director Barry Loveless said the garbage trucks have chains so service was maintained. Bainbridge Disposal, which collects recycling, couldn’t get off the island so recycling will be left out in the cold for a few days.

The department’s two plow/sander trucks and drivers got down and dirty shifting snow and sanding streets starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

They plowed around-the-clock and within a 12-hour period saw their approximate 50-cubic yards of sand stock pile dwindle to nothing, but the sand was regularly being replenished throughout the day on Thursday.

The department’s staff of 30 was busier than Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

“It goes with the job, we know it’s going to come and we’re prepared ahead of time,” Loveless said. “Luckily most of the snow’s in the middle of the day so we’re not working in the dark, and most activities are shut down so hopefully there’s not a lot to get in our way.”

While the frosty blast created more work for some it hampered others’ paycheck efforts, which was less than fun.

Construction worker Luis Castillego was walking home from the job, tool belt clutched in his hands, shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday. He and 10 others missed a total of two and a half days of work last week because of the snow.

“It’s fun but not too much when you don’t get to work the week before Christmas,” he said. “It’s been hard.”

Even being downtrodden, Castillego made the best of the situation and was headed home to bake cookies.

Attitudes similar to Castillego’s will be in high demand, as this bout of winter weather isn’t going anywhere soon.

In fact the worst is yet to come.

Dennis D’Amico, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle, said another storm front will be passing through the Puget Sound area on Sunday.

“Once the cold is in place it’s tough to get it over and that’s the situation we’re in,” D’Amico said. “The big storm on Sunday could produce more snow than what we saw in the last day and a half. It’s not over yet.”

He said the temperatures have been 5 to 15 degrees colder than normal and the cold snap could potentially stretch though the end of the month.

“It’s definitely something to take notice of,” D’Amico said. “It is on the unusual side.”

Poulsbo’s Deputy Police Chief Shawn Delaney said traffic problems have been minimal, the major glitches being a few cars sliding off the roads.

He hopes it stays that way, but with below freezing temperatures forecast for today and throughout the early part of next week, the slick road conditions will be here for a while.

“Go very slow, take your time. If you have an appointment or work either leave early or just plan on being late,” Delaney advised. “Do not rush. It’s not worth damaging your car or getting hurt.”