Highway 2 was closed for a time in both directions near Stevens Pass after snow slid across the roadway. It was open by 3 p.m., but chains were required on all vehicles.

A trooper told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News the slide was at least 4 to 6 feet high.

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 were closed at Snoqualmie Pass at Mile Post 45 due to a slide at Mile Post 56. Avalanche work caused crews to stop traffic both directions at 3:00 p.m., the Department of Transportation said.

A heavy snow warning is in effect until 6 p.m. for the western slopes of the northern and central Cascades and passes, the National Weather Service said.

Eight to 12 inches of new snow was expected by 6 p.m., with the heaviest amounts from the mountains of Snohomish County to Mount Rainier National Park.