Winter weather advisory issued for the Cascades, drivers urged to use caution

WESTERN WASHINGTON — The Cascades were hit by heavy snow Thursday with more snow expected Saturday afternoon, which could make it dangerous for motorists to travel across the passes.

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass closed several times Thursday due to spinouts and crashes. Drivers trying to travel over Snoqualmie Pass on Christmas Day were also met with a lot of snow, traffic and lots of travel restrictions. The pass was also closed for a period on Christmas Day due to spinouts and crashes.

Friday morning, traction tires were recommended on Snoqualmie Pass with snow and slush on the highway, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. The same restrictions were in place at Stevens Pass, where the road was bare and wet, with snow, slush and ice at times. Oversized vehicles were prohibited on both passes.

Some motorists were caught in traffic on Thursday.

“We kind of sat behind some trucks for about 15 minutes and it was snowing really hard, so when we started moving again the roads got even worse while we were sitting there,” said Jason NG, who was driving across the Snoqualmie Pass.

WATCH: Avalanche forecasts explained: How experts rate snow stability in the Cascades

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advice in the Cascades for areas above 3,500 feet from Friday through early Saturday evening. The weather service said additional snow accumulations up to 22 inches were possible for some areas, with the heaviest snow expected in areas above 5,000 feet.

“There is a chance that Mount Rainier could get another 2 feet of snow with another foot to maybe a foot and a half somewhere between (Friday night) and late Saturday afternoon,” the NWS said.

Drivers heading over the Cascade passes should prepare for “very difficult to impossible” travel conditions, the NWS said. Motorists are encouraged to slow down and exercise caution.

The NWS said another winter weather advisory is likely for the passes on Sunday, so drivers should prepare for the conditions.

An avalanche warning is in effect for the Washington Cascades until Friday. 18.00. The Northwest Avalanche Center said there was still a “significant” avalanche danger for most of the Cascades. As of Friday morning, the “West Slopes South” and Mount Hood remained under a “high” avalanche threat.

KOMO News spoke with the owner of a pro-guiding service who said Thursday’s very dangerous avalanche conditions meant everyone should steer clear of the backcountry.

“You can’t go out and just assume that there are no dangers, that’s one of the biggest differences between skiing in a ski area, where the professionals they make these calls on, about a certain terrain is safe for you to ski or not,” said Martin Volken, owner of Pro Ski and Mountain Service.

Get it latest passport conditions from the Washington State Department of Transportation.