Mountain snow likely to ease up

Snow continued to pile up in the mountains Friday, causing more problems over Stevens Pass and forcing state crews to keep I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass closed for the fourth consecutive day.

Crews are hopeful that a slight break in the mountain snow forecast will ease the avalanche dangers and help clear the state’s major east-to-west highways, officials said.

Instead of being measured in feet, snowfall for the weekend is forecast to fall over the mountains in inches, said Dennis D’Amico, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.

Some wet snow might have mixed with rain in the lowlands Friday night and this morning, he said. A storm tonight also may bring some lowland accumulations.

On Friday, travel over U.S. 2 was treacherous at Stevens Pass. Traffic in both directions was shut down periodically as heavy snow continued to fall.

“Conditions are abysmal,” Washington State Patrol trooper Kirk Rudeen said Friday morning.

Several semis got stuck near the summit, a repeat of Thursday’s problems, which closed the highway for more than eight hours.

Just after 9:30 a.m. Friday, westbound traffic was stopped and eastbound was just getting through. The traffic situation was changing almost minute-by-minute.

State Transportation Department crews vowed to clean up the mess and make the roads passable.

Rudeen wasn’t as optimistic. Even with snow tires and chains Friday, “No one’s getting any traction,” he said.

The state’s other main east-to-west highway, I-90, remained closed at Snoqualmie Pass.

Transportation officials were hoping to reopen Snoqualmie Pass early today, depending on how much snow fell overnight and the success of avalanche control efforts. If the road is reopened, drivers may be subject to hourlong delays while crews continue avalanche control work.

Drivers traveling on U.S. 2, which was expected to remain open, should prepare for extreme winter conditions, officials said during a Friday night press conference.

The state’s main commercial highway connecting Puget Sound to Eastern Washington has been closed since Tuesday with the exception of a few hours Wednesday.

If the road remains closed today, State Patrol troopers are concerned that weekend skiers who normally would go the Summit at Snoqualmie may instead flock to Stevens Pass.

The ski resort is limited to about 2,800 parking spaces, general manager John Gifford said. People are turned around once the lot is full.

People who try to park on the snowy shoulders won’t find any sympathy from state troopers, Rudeen said.

“If you park on the roadway or on the shoulder on U.S. 2, your car will be impounded immediately,” he said.

Anyone planning to head into the mountains should check conditions ahead of time, be prepared for long delays and carry tire chains, he said.

The long-term forecast doesn’t have any long breaks in sight, D’Amico said.

“It dries out a little bit Sunday, then there’s another system that’s going to hit us Monday,” he said. “There’s more to come.”

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Rick Steves launches $1M match challenge for Lynnwood Neighborhood Center

The $64.5 million Lynnwood Neighborhood Center will house several community spaces and partner with local nonprofits.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Council denies latest Eastview Village appeal

Council members affirmed previous approvals of the development planned off Cathcart Way near Highway 9.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

The man, who faces a charge under the state’s controlled substance homicide law, remains in Snohomish County Jail on more than $1M bond.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.