Snoqualmie Pass
| Snoqualmie Pass | |
|---|---|
I-90 through Snoqualmie Pass
|
|
| Elevation | 3,015 ft (919 m) |
| Traversed by |
 I‑90
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| Location | King / Kittitas counties, Washington, US |
| Range | Cascade Range |
| Coordinates | 47°24′36″N 121°24′21″W / 47.41000°N 121.40583°WCoordinates: 47°24′36″N 121°24′21″W / 47.41000°N 121.40583°W |
Snoqualmie Pass is a mountain pass that carries Interstate 90 through the Cascade Range in the U.S. State of Washington. The pass summit at an elevation of 3,015 feet (919 m) is on the county line between Kittitas County and King County. Snoqualmie Pass has the smallest elevation of the three east–west mountain routes across Washington State that are kept open year-round, along with Stevens Pass (US 2) to the north, and White Pass (US 12) to the south. I-90 is the primary commercial artery between Seattle and points east, carrying an average of 29,000 vehicles through the pass per day. The pass is also the only divided highway crossing East-West through Washington State.
The pass lends its name to a census-designated place (CDP) located at the summit (see: Snoqualmie Pass, Washington). Both the CDP and Snoqualmie Pass are named after the Snoqualmie people of the valley to the west.
Snoqualmie Pass as it climbs into the Cascades passes through a micro-climate characterized by considerable precipitation, and at times hazardous conditions for travelers. The average annual precipitation is over 100 inches; snowfall averages over 400 inches. The average annual number of days with measurable precipitation is over 170.
The rapidly changing conditions require special cautions, relayed to motorists via variable message displays along I-90. Depending on traction they may call for tire chains to be installed, usually on large trucks but occasionally on smaller vehicles as well. Chain-up areas are provided along the side of the Interstate to facilitate the placement of chains. The pass has been subjected to closures when weather conditions become extreme.
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Wikipedia