And the fun keeps getting funner. From a WA State Department of Transportation email this morning:
Cross-state travel should not be attempted Thursday – passes to be closed until Saturday
As expected, extreme weather has created havoc across much of the state, leading to a number of closures including Snoqualmie, Stevens, White and Blewett passes. Conditions are so hazardous – including snow slides, trees falling and high avalanche concern – that it is too dangerous for our snow plow and avalanche control crews to be in the areas. Because of that, passes will not reopen until Saturday. Due to extreme avalanche danger we’ll need Friday to assess and clear passes once our crews can re-enter the areas.
Additionally, the two other east-west routes – SR 14 and Oregon’s I-84, which run through the Columbia River Gorge – are closed to freight traffic, with I-84 being closed to all vehicles.
The current conditions on the passes include very heavy snowfall, near-zero visibility and debris falling from the mountains onto the highway. Once the snowfall lets up, the forecast calls for heavy rain, including freezing rain, which will increase the avalanche issues.
Once we determine it is safe enough for our crews, there will still be significant work to do before we can reopen.
No place I have to be. Working at home this afternoon. Got a zoom meeting later but that is it.
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