Overview
- Winter Storm Warnings are in effect through Thursday across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, with 1–4 feet of mountain snow and gusts up to about 50 mph forecast.
- Cascade passes including Snoqualmie and Stevens face difficult to impossible travel, with traction advisories, oversized vehicle restrictions, and pilot-car operations at Stevens Pass limited to daytime hours.
- Avalanche danger is high in parts of the Washington Cascades, including Mount Baker–Snoqualmie and North Cascades areas, and backcountry travel is discouraged.
- Forecasters expect a colder second front Wednesday into Thursday to further lower freezing levels near 1,500–2,000 feet and sustain heavy snow on the passes.
- Ski areas anticipate improved coverage after a thin early-season snowpack, though some operations remain limited until accumulations build and conditions stabilize.