Updated Nov 8, 2009 - 8:56 am
Heavy snow in Cascades shuts down roads
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E-mail this | The Washington state Department of Transportation has temporarily shut down two highways in the Cascade Mountains due to heavy snow from a fall storm and plans to close a third.
Transportation officials closed State Route 410 over Chinook Pass and State Route 123 over Cayuse Pass Saturday morning. The North Cascades Highway on State Route 20 closed around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
All three roads typically close during the winter due to heavy snow, but transportation officials say none of these are permanent closures. It is being assessed when all the roads can be reopened.
Forecasters say cool, showery weather is likely to continue into next week across the state.
On his blog, Cliff Mass said while we're only a week into the storm threat season, it looks like the Howard Hanson Dam will make it through the first quarter of the without problems. He said his models don't predict a major rain event through the middle of November.
The National Weather Service says cool air following the front that blew through the Northwest will bring weekend snow to the Olympics, Cascades and northeast mountains in Washington.
A winter storm watch is in effect through Saturday for the Cascades with up to 2 feet of new snow forecast.
Big storm-blown waves are crashing on the Washington coast.
Grays Harbor Deputy Emergency Manager Chuck Wallace told KXRO that 25-foot waves are expected Saturday at 15- to 20-second intervals.
The National Weather Service meteorologist Dustin Guy says large waves are common in the late fall and winter, but they must be treated with caution.
Anyone going to the beach is advised to keep an eye on the water and stay a safe distance from the water's edge.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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