Seattle, WA – A powerful winter storm is blanketing the northern Washington Cascades, bringing up to 20 inches of snow and wind gusts reaching 40 mph through early Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 5 a.m. PDT Saturday for the Cascades of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, and northern King counties. Impacted areas include Stevens Pass, Mount Baker, and Silverton.
The combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds may lead to whiteout conditions, particularly at higher elevations. Roads, especially mountain passes, bridges, and overpasses, are expected to become slick and hazardous. Officials warn that travel could be very difficult or even impossible in affected areas.
Residents and travelers should prepare for potential power outages and should avoid non-essential travel through the Cascades. If travel is necessary, officials advise packing extra food, water, and a flashlight in case of emergency delays.
The storm is part of a late-season system impacting the Pacific Northwest. Drivers using U.S. Route 2 and State Route 542 should monitor WSDOT alerts for real-time road conditions.
