SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Temps dropped below zero early this morning, hitting -4 degrees in Spokane. Temperatures will stay in the single digits all day, with some sunshine today.
Wind Chill Warnings are in effect now through 12 p.m. Thursday. Current wind chills have been as low as -25 degrees in Omak and easily below zero nearly everywhere in the Inland Northwest.
With holidays around the corner, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) says one of the busiest travel times of the year will start on Thursday. It is important that drivers check road forecasts as the travel conditions in the passes change constantly.
"It's important to note that the ongoing snow/ice along with forecasted precipitation for Thursday through the weekend means it's likely going to be challenging and slow-going pretty much the entire weekend on most state highways and probably even if you're traveling by sleigh," WSDOT said.
Here's how to check current passes conditions:
Snoqualmie Pass I-90
As of Wednesday evening, WSDOT is reporting the Snoqualmie Pass is open.
For those traveling eastbound and westbound, traction tires are advised, and oversize vehicles are prohibited. To check current weather conditions, visit the WSDOT Snoqualmie Pass I-90.
Past conditions: Compact snow and ice on the roadway and it is snowing
Weather: Snowing
Stevens Pass US-2
As of Wednesday evening, WSDOT is reporting the Stevens Pass US-2 is open.
Chains are required on all vehicles except all-wheel drive. Oversize vehicles are prohibited.
Conditions: There is compact snow and ice on the roadway.
Weather: Overcast skies.
Blewett Pass US 97 is opened. Chains are required on all vehicles except all-wheel drive for those traveling southbound and northbound. Oversize vehicles are prohibited.
Conditions: There is compact snow and ice on the roadway.
Weather: Partly cloudy.
To check other mountain passes the latest information, check the following list:
You can also check the WSDOT charts with the best and worse times to travel during this holiday, so be prepared and give yourself as much time as you can to get where you're going safely.
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