SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. — A winter storm is dumping another round of heavy snow on the Cascades, making travel across the mountain passes difficult.
There have been intermittent closures on Snoqualmie and Stevens passes due to avalanche danger, spinouts and dangerous driving conditions.
The mountains received 8-18 inches of snow between Thursday and Friday morning, according to KING 5 Meteorologist Rich Marriott. Heavy snow showers could add an additional 6-12 inches by Saturday.
The Northwest Avalanche Center said Friday there is a high avalanche danger for most of the Washington Cascades, including Snoqualmie and Stevens passes. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
The storm will add to the already above-average snowpack seen across the state. As of Feb. 26, the snowpack in the Cascades in the central and south Puget Sound areas were between 127-131% of normal – based on the snow water equivalent.
On Feb. 23, snowfall at Snoqualmie Pass surpassed the 10-year average with 375 inches.