Editor’s note: the following is a press release issued Monday by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Cayuse Pass closes for the season at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 16 as a strong storm takes aim at the mountain pass on SR 123, creating dangerous driving conditions for drivers.

More than 2 feet of snow is expected on Cayuse Pass (elev. 4,675’) in the next 24 hours with wind gusts up to 50 mph. If the weather is bad enough overnight, Washington State Department of Transportation crews could close the pass earlier than planned. Drivers should be prepared for winter-like driving conditions and the possibility of needing to turn around due to an early closure.

SR 410 to Cayuse Pass will close at Crystal Mountain Boulevard and at Stevens Canyon Road on SR 123. The closure blocks access to Chinook Pass from the west. Chinook Pass remains open to drivers approaching from the east, but poor weather conditions may force its closure as well.

Chinook and Cayuse passes are two of several Washington mountain routes that close each year for the winter.

For more the latest information about mountain pass conditions, visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/.

Chinook Pass information can be found at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/chinook/

Visit our Cayuse Pass web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/cayuse/