Pass travel treacherous for drivers amid heavy snow, avalanche danger

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

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 is back open after being closed for a time on Christmas Day due to spinouts and crashes.

On Tuesday morning, there is 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.

There’s a winter storm warning in the Cascades above 3,500 feet until 10 a.m. for an additional 6 to 18 inches of snow, so drivers may want to delay their trips over mountain passes until later Tuesday.

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There is also an avalanche warning on 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.