Copyright Newsweek
As parts of Southern California are bracing themselves for a heat wave, specific parts of Washington have been warned by the National Weather Service (NWS) to expect up to 8 inches of snow to fall in areas above 4,000 feet through to Wednesday morning. This heavy snowfall, which was forecast to begin late Tuesday evening, is likely to affect residents' local commutes. Why It Matters As a result of heavy overnight snowfall, residents in all affected areas have been told by the NWS to plan on hazardous, winter driving conditions and have been urged to slow down and use caution when traveling. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported an estimated 320 fatal crashes and 22,293 injuries in 2023, which occurred during snow/sleet conditions. What To Know Areas affected by the snowfall include the Cascades of Whatcom, Skagit Counties and the Washington Pass. According to the NWS, the Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit Counties are likely to see between 6 and 8 inches fall on regions between 4,500 ft and 5,000 ft until Wednesday morning. The NWS expects that the heaviest snowfall will occur early Wednesday morning, and has told residents to “prepare for possible power outages.” Members of the public traveling on the scenic Washington Pass should expect to see between 6 and 8 inches in places above 4,000 ft through to Wednesday morning, which “could impact Wednesday morning pass travel.” The NHTSA emphasizes that, to stay safe in wintry conditions, drivers should slow down, increase their following distance, and avoid crowding snowplows. The NWS has also issued some winter driving advice that includes: Packing a winter travel kit with essentials like a windshield scraper, jumper cables, flashlight, blanket, and non-perishable food, and, if stranded, travelers should not try to walk to safety; instead, they should tie a cloth to their car antenna to show that they need help. What People Are Saying The Spokane NWS office has posted images and the following update on X: “Current conditions across the mountain passes. Snow is falling over Stevens, Washington, and Sherman Passes. Snow will be developing at Lookout Pass in the next 1-2 hours.” What Happens Next For continuous updates, travelers and residents in the affected Washington areas are encouraged to visit the National Weather Service's Seattle/Tacoma Mountain Forecast page for real-time data and current hazardous weather outlooks.
