Date:
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Contact:
Mike Westbay, 509.728.4712 (Hyak)
Meagan McFadden, 509.577.1618 (Yakima)
SNOQUALMIE PASS – Just as one winter storm moves out another one moves in. Forecasters predict another four feet of snow will fall on Snoqualmie Pass in the next 48 hours, which will bring the total snowfall on Snoqualmie Pass to 34 feet.
To prepare for this extreme amount of snow, WSDOT avalanche experts will be conducting avalanche control work. Depending on the amount of snowfall and the density of the snow, avalanche control work will need to be done every 12 hours. These closures could take anywhere between one to five hours plus time to clean up the snow that falls onto I-90. WSDOT is asking drivers to prepare for extreme winter driving conditions and long delays.
“This is one of the highest years for avalanche dangers that our avalanche crews have had to deal with,” said Don Whitehouse, WSDOT South Central Regional Administrator.
According to WSDOT snowfall records, this is could possibly be one of the highest years for snowfall in the last 60 years. Due to this unusual amount of snow, WSDOT will continue to aggressively attack six avalanche chutes along Snoqualmie Pass with explosives to bring the avalanche danger down.
The amount of snow that has covered Snoqualmie Pass isn’t only impacting drivers, but WSDOT communication tools. Currently the variable message sign eastbound at milepost 53 is down and the traffic cameras westbound at Denny Creek and at Franklin Falls aren’t working. WSDOT is asking drivers to dial 511 on their cell phones or tune into 1610 AM or 530 AM on their radio for the latest pass information.
What can drivers do?
• Know before you go and check the Web pages before you head out to snowy areas. Bookmark www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes.
• Use the 511 traveler information system to get up to date information about road closures
• Be prepared and keep a winter car kit in your vehicle http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/
• Remember, ice and snow, take it slow
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