Snow storm closing North Cascades Highway

NEWHALEM, Wash. — The Washington Transportation Department is closing the North Cascades Highway at 4 p.m. today because of heavy snow expected from a new storm. The department says it will assess the situation after the storm to determine if the highway will remain closed for the winter. Highway 20 closes along a 22-mile stretch between Newhalem and Mazama that includes two passes: 4,855-foot Rainy Pass and 5,477-foot Washington Pass.