Seattle, Washington – Travel through the Washington Cascades is expected to become extremely dangerous starting early Friday as a major winter storm delivers feet of snow, dropping snow levels below pass elevations and creating near whiteout conditions through Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from early Friday morning through Saturday afternoon for the Cascades of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Lewis counties. Snow totals of 1 to 2 feet are expected at Snoqualmie and Stevens passes, while higher elevations near Mount Baker, Paradise, and Mount Rainier could see 2 to 3 feet of accumulation.
Snow levels are expected to fall rapidly overnight, dropping to near 1,000 to 1,500 feet by early Friday morning. That shift will bring heavy snow directly to pass level, impacting major routes including I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass, U.S. 2 at Stevens Pass, SR 410 near Crystal Mountain, and White Pass along U.S. 12. Transportation officials warn that travel could become very difficult or impossible at times.
The storm may also affect Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes for foothill communities, with slick roads and reduced visibility. Residents should prepare for possible power outages and avoid non-essential mountain travel.
The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through Saturday afternoon, and additional travel advisories or closures are possible as snowfall intensifies.
