With up to 2 feet of snow expected to fall through today, the National Weather Service on Thursday issued a winter weather advisory for several mountain areas, including Paradise and Snoqualmie Pass.
Other affected areas include Mount Baker, Stevens Pass and White Pass.
The snow level was about 2,000 feet Thursday, and will rise to 3,000 feet today before falling to 1,500 feet tonight, the Weather Service reported. Heavy snow is expected today – nearly 21 inches in the forecast – with a high of 28 and winds blowing up to 21 mph.
Because of a strong frontal system moving in, forecasters also issued an avalanche watch.
“While the deep snowpack of midwinter has been relatively stable during the month of February … heavy snowfall… strong westerly winds… and a gradual warming trend beginning Friday should cause avalanches to occur mostly in the new storm snow,” the watch warns.
The road to Paradise could remain closed today, according to Mount Rainier National Park. It was closed Wednesday and Thursday.
stacia.glenn@ thenewstribune.com
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