SEATTLE (AP) — Snow, cold and gusty winds are creating dangerous driving conditions in much of Western Washington. As temperatures dipped into the upper 20s Wednesday night, snow began accumulating on Interstate 5 both south and north of Seattle.
The Washington State Patrol and Washington Transportation Department warned travelers to stay off I-5 in Skagit County, where snow and wind were creating whiteout conditions and leading to blocking accidents.
KING-TV reports many drivers were abandoning vehicles on I-5 in Tukwila, south of Seattle.
The National Weather Service says the snow that fell earlier Wednesday hit northwest Washington’s Skagit, Snohomish and Clallam counties the hardest.
Meteorologist Kirby Cook says the Seattle area could see 1-3 inches of snow overnight — and trouble for Thursday morning commuters.
In Eastern Washington, meteorologist Steve Bodnar says 2-4 inches of snow fell in the Spokane area by Wednesday night, with more expected. That snow was blamed for multiple crashes along Interstate 90 in downtown Spokane.
