Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass reopen after early Monday closures
Feb 28, 2022, 7:05 AM | Updated: Mar 1, 2022, 6:07 am
A clear day at Stevens Pass in February 2022. (MyNorthwest photo)
(MyNorthwest photo)
Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass were closed in both directions early Monday due to avalanche danger, but reopened later in the day.
Stevens Pass was first, reopening just before 11 a.m. It had been closed from milepost 58 near Scenic to milepost 64, at the summit.
Snoqualmie Pass reopened at 5 p.m. Monday, with traction tires advised.
Check the conditions at Washington’s mountain passes
The Washington State Department of Transportation said Monday morning that there was too much snow at the passes, which led to the closure, and the avalanche danger was high.
After re-evaluating conditions at 9 a.m., I-90 remained closed from North Bend to Ellensburg. In total, the pass was closed for nearly 24 hours. Overnight into Monday, Snoqualmie Pass got 21 inches of heavy, wet snowfall, and staff were working to clear snow to the east and performance avalanche control work as heavy rain continued to fall during the day.
I-90/Snoqualmie Pass is closed in both directions due to heavy snowfall & avalanche danger. Eastbound is closed at North Bend (MP 34) and westbound is closed at Ellensburg (MP 106). No est. reopening and crews will evaluate pass conditions at 9 a.m. pic.twitter.com/NlP5YlqN0J
— Snoqualmie Pass (@SnoqualmiePass) February 28, 2022
KIRO 7 TV’s Lauren Donovan said exit 34 in North Bend is as far east as drivers could go with the closure. Those headed westbound were stopped at milepost 106 near Ellensburg.
“On WSDOT cameras, you can see the backup mounting,” Donovan reported.
‘Potent atmospheric river,’ inches of rain arrive to Western Washington
Crystal Mountain said it wouldn’t be opening its upper mountain lifts Monday, Feb. 28, blaming rising freezing levels and avalanche hazards. The ski resort says it hopes to reopen those lifts Tuesday.
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