Date:
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Contact:
Mike Murphy, WSDOT Communications, 206-371-2152 (Hyak)
SNOQUALMIE PASS – WSDOT crews are busy responding to the latest storm moving in over the Cascades. To keep up with the snow currently falling on Snoqualmie Pass, WSDOT may need to close the pass intermittently for avalanche control work.
In the next 24 hours, forecasters predict another foot to foot-and-a-half of snow will fall on Snoqualmie Pass. Drivers should continue to expect longer than usual delays, possibly until Friday, Feb. 8.
“This has already been a historic winter,” said Regional Administrator Don Whitehouse. “We’re approaching record snowfall amounts equal to the winters of 1972 – 1973 and 1996 – 1997.”
So far this winter, Snoqualmie Pass has received 378 inches of snow – 72 inches just this month, and if it continues to snow, the number will exceed last year’s total of 389 inches.
WSDOT has 36 to 40 crew members, including avalanche experts, working to keep up with storm.
What can drivers do?
- Know before you go and check the Web pages before you head out to snowy areas. Bookmark http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes
- Use the 511 traveler information system to get up-to-date information about road closures
- Near the pass, tune 1610 AM or 530 AM on your radio for the latest pass information
- Be prepared and keep a winter car kit in your vehicle. Find out more on WSDOT’s Web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter
- Remember: Ice and snow, take it slow
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