The North Cascades avalanche crew found less snow on State Route 20 than in recent years when it evaluated road conditions Monday.
Employees with the Washington State Department of Transportation spent the day analyzing snow, measuring snow depth, and gathering data.
Crew members will analyze that data and look at the upcoming forecast to determine when to begin re-opening the highway, which closes every winter. WSDOT says it will provide an update on a clearing schedule in the next week or so.
The process of re-opening the highway takes about five to seven weeks, according to WSDOT.
Since the North Cascades Highway opened in 1972, it usually re-opens in early May. The earliest opening was March 10, 2005. Last year WSDOT began the clearing process March 26, and it opened May 11.