Heading to the west side? Heavy snow expected as you cross the Cascade Mountains

Heavy snow is forecast in the Cascade Mountains over the next few days, says the National Weather Service.

A winter storm warning has been issued for the west slopes of the north central Cascades and its passes.

White Pass could get 18 inches of snow from Wednesday night through Friday, with similar heavy snow forecast for Stevens Pass.

Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 could get 6 to 10 inches of snow Wednesday night and then another 2 to 6 inches Thursday night and Friday.

Travelers heading east from the Tri-Cities on Interstate 84 should expect light snowfall, with no more than an inch accumulating on Thursday and again Friday.

Winter travelers should pack warm clothing, boots and gloves, blankets, a flashlight and extra batteries, food, water, a cell phone charger, tire chains and kitty litter or sand to help with traction, says the Department of Transportation.

The same storm bringing snow to the mountains is bringing rain to the Tri-Cities and warmer temperatures, according to the weather service forecast.

A 40 percent chance of rain is forecast on Thursday in the Tri-Cities

Highs should be as warm as 50 degrees on Thursday and almost that warm on Friday.

As the storm clears, highs will drop back to the upper 30s to 40 degrees from Saturday through at least Wednesday, according to the weather service forecast.

This story was originally published December 11, 2019 at 12:00 PM.