Traffic & Transit
Cascade Passes Closed Until Further Notice Due To Snow: WSDOT
Snoqualmie, Stevens, White and Blewett passes will likely remain closed until Sunday due to extreme weather conditions.
SNOQUALMIE PASS, WA — All cross-state mountain passes are closed indefinitely, due to significant snowfall and conditions that are too dangerous for state transportation crews to work safely, officials announced Thursday.
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, Snoqualmie, Stevens, White and Blewett passes are unlikely to reopen before Sunday.
Conditions are too dangerous for crews to be in the pass areas. Snow & debris continue to slide onto the highways. Crews are working in areas where it is safe to plow, clear catch basins & do other work to have those areas ready when we can reopen. (2/7)
— Washington State DOT (@wsdot) January 7, 2022
While a warm front quickly increased temperatures in the lowlands Thursday morning, heavy snow continued across the Cascades. The National Weather Service expected Snoqualmie Pass to pick up another foot between Thursday and Friday morning, with up to three feet possible over Stevens Pass.
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The Northwest Avalanche Center issued warnings Wednesday evening for most of its forecast zones, warning that widespread avalanches were likely, many of which could be "very large and destructive." The center reported 20 inches of new snow at Stevens Pass over 17 hours, with half accumulating between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. Thursday morning.
This is what our crews are dealing with on Snoqualmie and White passes - large snow drifts, avalanche danger, falling trees, and large amounts of snow on signs. It's too dangerous for crews to go in and assess and another round of snow is expected in the next 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/ISHxowH856
— Snoqualmie Pass (@SnoqualmiePass) January 6, 2022
WSDOT said multiple hazards made it impossible for crews to work in the area, including snow slides, fallen trees and "near-zero visibility," and noted that avalanche dangers would increase as the weather switched over to freezing rain and rain.
Find out what's happening in Seattlefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Once transportation officials determine conditions are safe enough for crews to return, it will still take considerable time to get the passes ready for vehicles.
Once avalanche work is done, we will spend Saturday clearing the areas, including plowing and treating roads, removing snow/ice from signs, clearing trees & debris from the road and clearing catch basins for drainage. (4/7)
— Washington State DOT (@wsdot) January 7, 2022
WSDOT asked anyone with travel plans over the Cascades to adjust their schedule. Travelers can find the latest information on pass closures and conditions on WSDOT's website and social media channels.
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