Travel warning of fresh snow on I-90 at pass. More blowing dust for Tri-Cities

The calendar may say April, but Tri-Cities travelers can expect significant new snow and wind as they cross the Cascade Mountains.

In the Tri-Cities the wind will continue to blow during spring break. Patchy blowing dust is possible.

The National Weather Service predicted wind gusts up to 35 to 40 mph Friday in the Tri-Cities area.

In town, a peak wind gust of 34 mph was forecast for Friday, 31 mph for Friday night and 26 mph for Saturday. Sunday the weather should continue to be breezy with gusts up to 18 mph.

A slight chance of snow, or possibly snow, is forecast for early Monday morning in higher elevations in the Tri-Cities area. But Tri-Cities residents will likely sleep through it, with any flakes likely to melt quickly.

Highs should be in the mid to high 50s from Saturday through Thursday, with the coldest temperatures still a couple of degrees above freezing.

Snow for travelers

Travelers to the Seattle area will want to pack food, warm clothing and tire chains as a precaution.

A winter weather advisory has been issued from Friday evening until late Saturday night for Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass.

Travelers crossing the Cascade Mountains can expect 3 to 7 inches of fresh snow Friday night, 6 to 10 inches on Saturday and 6 to 10 inches Saturday night.

Gusty winds likely will mean blowing snow.

Sunday should be a better travel day, with the chance of snow falling to 50% and just 1 to 2 inches of fresh snow forecast at the pass.

White Pass also will be snowy, but with less snow accumulation than Snoqualmie Pass, according to the weather service.

This story was originally published April 8, 2022 at 9:00 AM.