SEATTLE — The Cascade Mountains received 2-6 inches of snow overnight at highway pass levels, but significantly more above 5,000 feet.
The new snowfall has not significantly impacted travel across Stevens, Snoqualmie, or White passes.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 5 p.m. Wednesday for the west slopes of the Cascade Mountains from King County northward. About 2-4 inches of snow could fall above 3,000 feet of elevation with greater amounts above 5,000 feet of elevation
Showers mostly end in the lowlands by this afternoon with clearing skies. Snow showers will continue this afternoon in the mountains, but they will end this evening.
Cool air and clearing skies will give us a chilly night on Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued a Frost Advisory from 10 p.m. Wednesday night until 9 a.m. Thursday morning.
Although western Washington will stay dry and sunny this weekend, temperatures cool down with some of the coldest temperatures so far this fall. Low temperatures are expected to be well below normal with overnight temperatures expected to drop below freezing for some areas, especially inland areas, over the weekend when lows will range from 28° to 34°.
High temperatures are expected to be in the high 40s to low 50s.
When mountain snow falls this week, drivers should plan on slippery road conditions, according to the weather service. If you must drive, slow down and use caution. Pack a winter survival kit in your car, including jumper cables, an ice scraper, a shovel, warm clothes, a blanket, water and snacks.
The first hints of snow made an appearance at Snoqualmie Pass Tuesday afternoon, as frost covered the trees on the highest mountaintops. People traveling in the area were preparing.
“I am excited for the snow, yes, but everybody's got to be cautious,” said Darren Dengate, who was stopped at a gas station near Snoqualmie Pass Ski Resort.
Dengate lives in Sultan, near Stevens Pass, and he said he has seen several crashes on the passes caused by drivers not being careful in the past.
“People traveling too fast and too close,” said Dengate.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said their crews have been preparing all year for the winter season and have been making extra preparations in recent days.
“We have had our mechanics go through every single vehicle very thoroughly. We have all of our salt and sand supplies,” said Summer Derrey, a spokesperson for WSDOT.
Last year there were 122 hours of closures on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass due to people who were speeding or not paying attention, Derrey added.
A few hours before the expected snowfall, Derrey said crews will pretreat the roads to prevent ice from building up. Once the storm hits, she said it is all hands on deck.
“We're going to have a full staff working 24/7 around the clock with plows and blowers and laying sand and salt and other chemicals to keep the roads as clear as possible,” said Derrey.