Travel Alert | Heavy snow forecast for Snoqualmie. Wind in Tri-Cities forecast
Travelers will need to be prepared for heavy snow on Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass this weekend.
But that doesn’t mean they can use their studded tires.
The deadline for having studded tires off in Washington state is on Friday, the last day of March.
A winter storm watch for Snoqualmie Pass starts at 5 p.m. Friday and expires a 5 p.m. Sunday.
Friday 2 to 4 inches is forecast by the National Weather Service at the pass.
The storm is expected to worsen with additional 4 to 8 inches forecast Friday night and again Saturday and also Saturday night.
Sunday 3 to 5 inches are forecast.
More snow could fall through at least Wednesday, according to the weather service.
Although the Washington state Department of Transportation can extend the deadline for removing studded tires for snow and ice, it is not planning to this year.
The state makes a decision based on how widespread snow will be across the state on the 21,000 miles of roadway lanes that the Department of Transportation manages and moderate to heavy snow is forecast for limited areas of the state this weekend.
The damage caused by studded tires annually is $20 million to $29 million to state-owned roads, plus additional damage to city and county roads.
The Department of Transportation recommends approved traction tires and carrying chains on the pass this weekend.
Tri-Cities forecast
In the Tri-Cities a chance of rain showers is forecast through the weekend, with rain most likely Friday night.
The storm system is expected to bring windy weather.
Gusts as high as 26 mph are forecast for Friday, with gusts up to 40 mph on Saturday.
Temperatures are forecast to be slightly cooler than the normal highs of about 63 for the start of April in the Tri-Cities.
Highs for Friday through the weekend should be in the mid to high 50s.
This story was originally published March 30, 2023 at 12:37 PM.