SEATTLE — Snow fell on the Cascade Mountains on Friday with warnings and advisories in place through the evening.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the west slopes of the North Cascades above 5,000 feet of elevation. Between 8 and 14 inches of snow is possible through Friday at 11 p.m.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the west slopes of the central and south Cascades above 4,000 feet of elevation. Between 6 and 18 inches of snow is possible through Friday at 5 p.m. The heaviest snowfall will be above 5,000 feet and near Mount Rainier, according to the National Weather Service.
Stevens Pass could see minor snow accumulations, but no snow is expected at Snoqualmie Pass, which is at about 3,000 feet of elevation.
The National Weather Service warned travel could be “difficult to impossible” and that snowfall could impact commutes on Friday.
The Washington State Department of Transportation will temporarily close Cayuse and Chinook passes near Mount Rainier on Oct. 31 due to expected snowfall. WSDOT said 20 inches of snow was expected over 24 hours on state Routes 410 and 123. The agency will reevaluate conditions Monday to see if the passes can reopen.
Both passes close annually for winter once the risk from snowfall and avalanche conditions are too high.
Showers are expected to stick around Saturday morning before a ridge of high pressure moves closer to the coast, clearing them out. A stronger system is expected to move in Monday bringing rain to the lowlands and snow to the mountains.
