SEATTLE – Western Washington’s first taste of winter is blanketing the Cascades today, with accumulating snow expected to make travel through mountain passes slow and slick through early Monday. The National Weather Service says this marks the first significant snowfall of the season for elevations above 4,000 feet, impacting areas from Mount Baker to Mount Rainier.
According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect until 5 a.m. Monday for the Cascades of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, and King Counties, and until 11 a.m. for Pierce and Lewis Counties. Expected totals range from 4 to 10 inches, with the heaviest accumulation near Paradise on Mount Rainier and in higher backcountry terrain.
Drivers crossing Stevens Pass, White Pass, or routes near Crystal Mountain and Mount Baker should expect snow-packed roads and limited visibility overnight. The Washington State Department of Transportation urges motorists to carry tire chains, check travel conditions before departing, and slow down on slick pavement.
Forecasters add that this early-season snow signals a rapid transition to winter-like conditions in the high country. Hikers and climbers are urged to prepare for freezing temperatures, unstable footing, and increasing avalanche risks at higher elevations as snow depth builds overnight.
