Drivers frustrated as they wait for Snoqualmie Pass to reopen

Winter weather has hit Western Washington, and that means the Snoqualmie Pass can close during any storm.

Ryan Darnall drives across the pass every day and has done so for 10 years.

He knows closures are typical this time of year, but he can’t help but get frustrated at people who are unprepared for the mountain drive.

“They all drive with no chains, or no snow tires, or no all-wheel drive or no four-wheel drive, and they’re not prepared for the snow,” Darnall said.

The Washington State Department of Transportation says many of the spun-out vehicles were a result of drivers not chaining up or simply driving too fast.

But other drivers worry this has more to do with the shortage of plows expected to clear the roadways this year.

“This is the worst I’ve seen it with a lack of resources,” says Jerry Beaudry, who has been traveling across the pass daily for more than 20 years.

He hopes WSDOT can find a way to get more trucks on the roads and keep up with the winter storms.

“We just plan for it,” Beaudry said. “We already know it’s going to be bad this year.”

At 11:05 p.m. Wednesday, WSDOT tweeted that both directions of Snoqualmie Pass were open and chains were required, except for all-wheel drives and four-wheel drives.

Written by KIRO 7 TV reporter Andrew Scheinthal