Bellingham, Wash. – Drivers heading across the North Cascades could face treacherous travel through Friday morning as a winter weather advisory blankets Whatcom and Skagit Counties with up to 10 inches of snow. The National Weather Service in Seattle issued the advisory late Tuesday, warning of rapidly deteriorating road conditions along Highway 20 and other mountain passes.
According to the NWS, snow will intensify from Wednesday afternoon through early Friday, with the heaviest accumulations expected near Mount Baker and higher elevations of the Cascade crest. Travel may be extremely difficult, especially between 4 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. Friday, as snow-covered roads and limited visibility make driving hazardous.
Crews urge drivers to use caution, carry chains, and avoid non-essential trips through the Cascades during peak snowfall. Power outages are also possible in higher terrain due to the weight of heavy, wet snow on trees and lines.
Snowfall will taper by Friday morning, though slick conditions could linger into the weekend as temperatures remain near freezing. Travelers are encouraged to monitor the latest road updates from WSDOT and NWS Seattle as additional advisories may be issued.
