Pass travel treacherous amid heavy snow, avalanche danger

WESTERN WASHINGTON — The Cascades are getting pummeled with heavy snow Thursday, making roads treacherous for drivers.

Earlier Thursday, eastbound Interstate 90, five miles west of the summit near Denny Creek, was closed due to spinouts and crashes. It reopened about 40 minutes later.

Drivers attempting to travel over Snoqualmie Pass on Christmas Day were met with a lot of snow, traffic, and plenty of travel restrictions. The pass was also closed for a time on Christmas Day due to spinouts and crashes.

On Thursday morning, there was compact snow and ice on Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass. Starting at milepost 47, chains are required on all vehicles, and even if you have all-wheel drive, by law, you must carry a set of chains in your car during winter travel.

If you don’t have chains, you could be fined $500.

A winter storm warning in the Cascades for 3,500 feet and above is in effect until 10 p.m. for an additional 6 to 18 inches of snow with 55+ mph wind gusts. Travel will be tougher the first half of the day, according to KOMO News Meteorologist George Waldenberger.

A winter storm warning for the Olympics for 4,000 feet and above is in effect through 4 p.m. as an additional 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected with 65 mph wind gusts.

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There is also an avalanche warning through 6 p.m. around Stevens and Snoqualmie passes, the backcountry of the west slopes of the Washington Cascades, and Mt Hood.

Get the latest pass conditions from the Washington State Department of Transportation.