Snowstorm Hits Cascades

A storm blew through Western Washington on Wednesday night, dropping snow on the Cascade mountain passes and pounding the coast with wind gusts to 45 mph.

A low pressure system brought rain to much of the area but moved north to Vancouver Island without causing flooding.

Snow fell on the western slopes of the Cascades, where motorists were urged to use caution. Two to 3 inches of snow fell by 9 p.m. on Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass and Stampede Pass with more snow expected, said Terry Morse, a forecaster in Seattle with the National Weather Service.

“If you’re driving east, be very careful,” he said. “I’d be prepared for some icy conditions.”

Snow temporarily closed Highway 410 at Chinook Pass.

The DOT will decide this week whether to close the highway for the winter, spokeswoman Clarissa Lundeen said.