Snoqualmie Pass reopens after closing for avalanche danger, heavy snow

SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. — While Western Washington thaws out, conditions worsened on the mountain passes.

I-90 had to shut down closed between North Bend and Ellensburg since around 5 p.m. Monday due to extreme avalanche danger and heavy snowfall on Snoqualmie Pass.

After a second evaluation Tuesday, transportation officials said the interstate reopened in both directions at 3 p.m.

Crews finished avalanche control measures and plows are clearing snow and ice from the pass.

More than 100 semitrucks lined the interstate Tuesday morning waiting for the the pass to reopen.

The Washington State Department of Transportation said Monday was a busy day clearing more than a foot of snow, dealing with crashes and doing avalanche control work.

As of Tuesday morning, WSDOT said 36 inches of snow had fallen on the pass area in the last 48 hours and more is on the way.

By 4:41 p.m. Monday, I-90 at the summit was barely recognizable. Cars and trucks on the pass appeared to have been swallowed by snow.

The Washington State Patrol said troopers dealt with blizzard conditions. Officials were forced to close the pass when conditions degraded.

Up to another foot of snow could fall in the mountain passes Tuesday and drivers should be prepared for difficult conditions on those that are open.

VIDEO: Snoqualmie Pass closed in both directions

Cox Media Group