WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Make sure you’re prepared for snow if you’re traveling on the North Cascades Highway this week.
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a winter weather advisory for the Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit counties.
It will take effect at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and last through Friday morning.
Forecasters are expecting between 4 and 8 inches of snowfall along the Cascade crest and highest points of Highway 20. Mount Baker could also see 8 to 10 inches through Thursday morning.
The snow could make travel difficult, so drivers in those areas are being urged to slow down and use caution.
Drivers are also now allowed to drive with studded tires in Washington.
WSDOT is reminding drivers that studded tires are now legal through March 31. They’re not allowed for the rest of the year because of the millions of dollars in damage they cause to Washington’s roads.
WSDOT adds that studded tires don’t meet state chain requirements.
Anyone driving front-wheel and rear-wheel drive cars has to install chains over the studded tires if a chains-required sign is in effect.
State Patrol says it’s about to begin emphasis patrols to ensure drivers are using chains over the passes.
