Avalanche danger through Snoqualmie, Stevens passes in WA Cascades
Heavy snow, crashes create delays on WA passes
Extreme winter weather led to many crashes along Washington's highways and passes Tuesday night, with a Winter Storm Warning in effect through Thursday.
A winter storm warning is in effect from Tuesday morning through Thursday evening, bringing heavy mountain snow and high avalanche danger to the Washington Cascades.
Keep reading for mountain pass driving conditions, travel restrictions and avalanche danger levels.
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Steven Pass Ski Resort closed because of power outage
Stevens Pass Ski Resort received nearly two feet of fresh snow in the last 24 hours, but a power outage is keeping skiers off of the slopes.
Winter storm warning issued for western WA
According to FOX 13 Chief Meteorologist Brian MacMillan, snow levels will drop to around 2,000 to 3,000 feet on Tuesday. The heaviest snow will fall between noon and 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.
What they're saying:
"Expect difficult driving conditions during this time over all of the Washington mountain passes," said MacMillan. "Two to four feet of snow is expected at the Cascade passes through Thursday."
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Washington Cascades, where heavy mountain snow is expected Tuesday through Thursday. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Driving conditions on Snoqualmie Pass in WA
As of 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, chains are required for vehicles over 10,000 gross vehicle weight and oversized vehicles are prohibited on Snoqualmie Pass. For other drivers, traction tires are required. WSDOT could update these travel restrictions later in the day because it is actively snowing on the pass.
According to WSDOT, there is snow, slush and ice on the roadway. Driving conditions could change as a weather system capable of dropping 2 to 4 feet of snow moves through the Washington Cascades in the coming days. Crews remind drivers to keep chains on hand in case restrictions are upgraded.
I-90 Snoqualmie Pass traffic cameras
US-2 Stevens Pass travel conditions in WA
As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, chains are required on all vehicles on Stevens Pass US-2, except those that are all-wheel drive. Oversized vehicles are prohibited. These travel restrictions are for both east and westbound travel.
According to WSDOT, it is lightly snowing on the pass, and there is compact snow and ice on the roadways.
Some WSDOT cameras along this route appear to be offline. On Tuesday, the majority of the cameras were covered in ice or water.
US-2 Stevens Pass traffic cameras
WSDOT webcams for Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. All other webcams appear to be offline. (WSDOT)
"US 2 Stevens Pass between milepost 64 and 85 (pass summit to Coles Corner) is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with pilot car operations," WSDOT said. Officials say there will be no eastbound through access between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Avalanche danger in WA mountain passes
According to Avalanche.org, avalanche danger levels have been downgraded in some areas, and upgraded in others. The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park areas have been downgraded to ‘considerable’ avalanche danger from Tuesday's ‘high’ levels.
Farther south, the Mount Rainier National Park and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest areas have been upgraded to ‘high’ avalanche danger – which is two levels up since Tuesday's ‘moderate’ levels.
Travel through areas with high avalanche danger is not recommended.
Seattle weather forecast
Seattle weather: More rain, snow in the forecast
FOX 13 Seattle Meteorologist Claire Anderson has your latest western Washington weather forecast.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Source: Information in this story comes from the Washington State Department of Transportation, Avalanche.org, original reporting by FOX 13 Chief Meteorologist Brian MacMillan and FOX 13 reporter Taylor Winkel.
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