Karmactive Staff
Washington State’s mountain passes are entering a hazardous weather window: a National Weather Service Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for parts of the Cascade Mountains from Tuesday evening through 5 p.m. PDT Wednesday, October 28, with significant snowfall expected at elevation.
The NWS Seattle advisory covers multiple Cascade zones with differing forecasts by location. The northern Cascades, including Stevens Pass, are forecast to receive 4 to 8 inches of snow. The southern Cascades—including the Mount Rainier area, Paradise, Longmire, White Pass, and Crystal Mountain—are forecast to receive 6 to 12 inches. At Snoqualmie Pass (elevation approximately 3,022 feet), the forecast calls for 1 to 3 inches of snow mixed with rain at times, not just rain and slush as at lower elevations.
Drivers crossing Washington’s high-elevation mountain passes face wet snow and hazardous road conditions through Wednesday evening. Travelers heading to US-12 at White Pass, US-2 at Stevens Pass, and roads inside Mount Rainier National Park should check current WSDOT pass conditions and chain or traction requirements before departing, as requirements can change during a winter weather event.
The elevation gradient across the Cascades means conditions vary considerably by location. White Pass at approximately 4,500 feet and Stevens Pass at approximately 4,061 feet will see heavier accumulation than Snoqualmie Pass, where rain mixing reduces totals. The southern Cascades zone covering Pierce and Lewis counties is under the higher 6 to 12 inch forecast.
WSDOT publishes real-time pass conditions and traction or chain requirements at wsdot.wa.gov. Drivers should check conditions before departure because road status and requirements can change throughout the advisory period.
How much snow are the Cascade Mountains getting this week? The National Weather Service forecasts 4 to 8 inches of snow for the northern Cascades (including Stevens Pass) and 6 to 12 inches for the southern Cascades zone covering the Mount Rainier, White Pass, and Crystal Mountain areas, through 5 p.m. PDT Wednesday, October 28. Snoqualmie Pass is forecast to receive 1 to 3 inches with rain mixing at times.
Check NWS Seattle and WSDOT for current pass conditions and traction requirements, as both can change during the advisory. More on Pacific Northwest winter weather patterns and mountain highway driving safety at cruxbuzz.com.
