Mountain snow: 2 passes close, slopes to open
The Washington state Department of Transportation has closed two highways in the Cascade Mountains for the season due to heavy snow and avalanche risk.
At the same time, some ski areas are preparing to open.
Officials first announced Saturday that they would temporarily close State Route 410 over Chinook Pass and State Route 123 over Cayuse Pass. They reviewed that decision on Sunday and decided to keep them closed for the rest of the season.
Chinook Pass has received more than 3 feet of snow since Friday.
The North Cascades Highway on State Route 20 remains closed at least temporarily, but is likely to close soon
All three roads typically close during the winter due to heavy snow.
Meanwhile, heavy snowfall in the Cascade Range has some Washington ski areas preparing to open.
Mount Baker Ski Area says it's received more than 45 inches of new snow in the last few days, and it plans to open on Thursday.
Crystal Mountain, meanwhile, says it's gotten about 2 feet recently and could open for limited operations on Wednesday.
At the same time, some ski areas are preparing to open.
Officials first announced Saturday that they would temporarily close State Route 410 over Chinook Pass and State Route 123 over Cayuse Pass. They reviewed that decision on Sunday and decided to keep them closed for the rest of the season.
Chinook Pass has received more than 3 feet of snow since Friday.
The North Cascades Highway on State Route 20 remains closed at least temporarily, but is likely to close soon
All three roads typically close during the winter due to heavy snow.
Meanwhile, heavy snowfall in the Cascade Range has some Washington ski areas preparing to open.
Mount Baker Ski Area says it's received more than 45 inches of new snow in the last few days, and it plans to open on Thursday.
Crystal Mountain, meanwhile, says it's gotten about 2 feet recently and could open for limited operations on Wednesday.