Protect yourself and your passengers. Allow extra time to reach your destination during inclement weather. It takes only one unprepared or careless driver to slow or stop traffic.
Winter Driving Guide (pdf 975 kb)
Practice the following:
- Drive for conditions – slower speeds, slower acceleration.
- Check to see if you have traction tires.
- Know what the traction advisories mean.
- Watch a video to learn how to install tire chains.
- Do not use cruise control.
- Four-wheel and all-wheel vehicles do not stop or steer better on ice.
- Leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. And remember, the larger the vehicle, the longer the stopping distance.
- Slow down when approaching intersections, offramps, bridges, or shady spots.
- If you find yourself behind a snowplow, slow down and give the plow a little extra room.
- Slow down and be extra cautious near the chain-up and removal areas. There are often people out of their vehicles.
What would cause the pass to close?
- Blocking Vehicles
- Avalanche Control
When possible avalanche control work is scheduled at night when traffic volumes are low. WSDOT attempts to provide advance notice, but in an emergency, it's not always possible.
- Road Clearing
If there is heavy snow in a short amount of time, road crews may close the pass to clear ice and snow from the travel lanes.
Snoqualmie Pass
