Drivers braving the mountain passes this post-Christmas weekend will run into slick conditions in the aftermath of a winter storm that left a heavy coating of new snow in the Cascades.
The National Weather Service said the snow level will descend to as little as 500 feet today, although the accumulation in the lower snow areas was predicted to be about an inch.
Some foothill towns such as Gold Bar and Darrington were expected to receive up to four inches of snow.
Traffic was slowed, and there were numerous minor accidents in I-5 north of Arlington late Saturday afternoon, the State Patrol said. State Department of Transportation crews were called out to clear snow from the freeway.
A Snohomish County sheriff’s office spokesman said there was snow on Highway 530 between Arlington and Darrington.
The Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Saturday night for the west slopes of the Cascades, with expected accumulations of up to a foot. Only snow showers were predicted for today, with new accumulations up to four inches. Mountain snow showers are expected to end tonight, the Weather Service said.
The mountain pass temperatures are expected to remain well below freezing during the daylight hours today.
In the lowlands near Puget Sound, the temperatures today are expected to climb from the lower 30s over night to the upper 30s today.
Showers are expected this afternoon, but the snow level is expected to remain above 500 feet.
Mostly sunny skies are predicted for Monday with temperatures in the 40s.
On Saturday night, Snoqualmie Pass had snow and slush on the road with restrictions on heavy trucks.
Traction devices were advised for vehicles traveling over snowy Stevens Pass and U.S. 2 Saturday night. Oversized vehicles were prohibited.
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