Several Crashes On Snoqualmie Pass, Snow Expected Until Wednesday

SNOQUALMIE PASS, WA — Several crashes over Snoqualmie Pass blocked travel in both directions Tuesday afternoon, amid heavy snowfall in the Cascades.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, a semi-truck jack-knifed near Denny Creek shortly before 3 p.m., blocking all westbound travel on Interstate 90 for several hours. As crews still worked to clear the first incident, multiple spinouts near the summit prompted a full closure of eastbound lanes at 4:45 p.m. WSDOT announced the interstate had reopened in both directions shortly before 6:30 p.m.

Chain requirements were in place for all vehicles traveling the pass Tuesday night, except those equipped with all-wheel drive.

According to the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service, heavy snow is expected to impact travel over the mountains through Wednesday morning. Up to a foot of new snow could fall over Snoqualmie Pass between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, with up to 18 inches of accumulation possible over Stevens Pass.

NWS Seattle said most mountain snow should transition by early Wednesday afternoon. Continued precipitation in the forecast will increase the risks for landslides and flooding through at least Friday.