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Heavy Snow Forecast For Cascades

Posted: 3:12 pm PST November 22, 2006Updated: 3:26 pm PST November 22, 2006

Mountain snow is expected to be especially heavy on Thanksgiving Day, with winds making conditions even worse drivers in the passes.

Forecasters said heavy snow is possible in the Washington Cascades on Thanksgiving Day and Friday.

"Be ready for mountain snow in the Cascades at any time, but especially heavy Thanksgiving afternoon and through midday Friday," said KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Chief Meteorologist Andy Wappler.

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As a cold front moves through, the snow level will drop as low as 1,500 feet. Winds will make conditions worse for drivers in the passes.

Forecasters said 2 to 4 inches of new snow is expected Wednesday night with 3 to 5 inches Thursday.

The Washington Transportation Department is bringing in extra crews to keep Interstate 90 open through the weekend, a DOT representative said.

Normally, about 30,000 vehicles a day cross the Cascades on I-90 but on Sunday, the flow will approach the record of 58,000, officials said.

The DOT said the peak times on Sunday will be between 11 a.m. and 7 or 8 p.m. Drivers can avoid the congestion by traveling in an off-peak period. Graphs showing peak times are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/thanksgiving.

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Detailed Forecast

Rick VanCise
Watch KIRO 7 Meteorologist Rick VanCise weekends on KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.
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Weather:
Another strong frontal system brings wind, rain and mountain snow this afternoon and overnight. Highs in Seattle hit the middle 40s. 10-20 mph south winds will gust to 30.

A Winter Storm Warning starting at 1pm continues through midday Sunday for the Cascades and Olympics for 6 inches of snow today and up to 20 inches overnight. The snow level will rise from 1,500 to 3,000 feet.

Sunday will begin with scattered showers which will decrease through the afternoon. More sunbreaks are expected and highs will be in the mid 40s.

Expect rain Monday, but just occasional showers through the rest of the week and some sun.

3 - Day Forecast
Sat
Wind and Rain
46
Sun
Showers
47
Mon
Rain
48
Seattle Metropolitan Area
Weather:
Another strong frontal system brings wind, rain and mountain snow this afternoon and overnight. Highs in Seattle hit the middle 40s. 10-20 mph south winds will gust to 30.

A Winter Storm Warning starting at 1pm continues through midday Sunday for the Cascades and Olympics for 6 inches of snow today and up to 20 inches overnight. The snow level will rise from 1,500 to 3,000 feet.

Sunday will begin with scattered showers which will decrease through the afternoon. More sunbreaks are expected and highs will be in the mid 40s.

Expect rain Monday, but just occasional showers through the rest of the week and some sun.