Police and other state agencies have a Thanksgiving weekly forecast that doesn’t include turkey, sweet potato, or pumpkin pie.
There is a high likelihood of traffic and congestion, especially on Interstate 90 which runs in both directions over Snoqualmie Pass. Hence, officials recommend planning ahead and allowing plenty of time to reach your goal.
The Washington State Office of the AAA travel agent predicts more than 1.4 million Washingtoners will be traveling for Thanksgiving, up 16% from 2020, the agency announced last week.
Of these travelers, 87% are expected to get to their destination by car, with the busiest times forecast on Wednesdays from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, November 24, 2021, and Sunday 1 pm-7pm, November 28, 2021, AAA Washington reported.
“Travel this Thanksgiving will be very different from last year,” said Kelly Just, spokeswoman for AAA Washington. “With the reopening of borders and new health and safety guidelines, travel is back at the top of the list of Americans willing to reunite with loved ones for vacation.”
Washington State Patrol officials report their soldiers are prepared for the increased traffic and will be on patrol until Sunday, November 28th, so many Washington State University students began touring the state during the Thanksgiving holiday.
These priority patrols add increased WSP presence on State Routes 25 and 195, as well as Interstate 90, especially over Snoqualmie Pass, as Soldiers focus on vehicles driving too fast for the conditions, distracted / impaired driving, speeding and other collision-causing violations.
Good year-round or winter tires, as well as tire chains, are recommended and may be required when traversing mountain passes, said WSP District 4 Commander Captain Jeff Otis.
“We encourage travelers to strictly observe the stated speed limits and be prepared for changing road and weather / winter driving conditions,” Otis said in a press release.
Snow is forecast over the Cascade Mountains Tuesday, with the National Weather Service forecasting 6 to 20 inches for Snoqualmie Pass between 4 a.m. and 10 p.m.
The forecast did not predict any precipitation for Wednesday during the day, with the possibility of light snow turning to overnight rain on Thanksgiving Wednesday night, the National Weather Service reported. Snow depth is expected to rise above 4,200 feet at midnight on Thursday, and rain is forecast for Thursday and Friday.
Apple cup
Also part of the weekend travel picture is the annual soccer game of the Apple Cup, in which Washington State will travel to Seattle against the University of Washington at 5 p.m. on Friday this year.
The state Department of Transportation encourages soccer fans and all Thanksgiving travelers to consult the agency’s online resources to check traffic and road conditions across the state. These resources include:
• WSDOTs Travel time tableswho use historical information to help drivers plan the best times to travel.
• The newly updated WSDOT Travel Map with options to view warnings, restrictions, weather stations, and traffic cameras.
• Look up Travel data in real time for a specific road or ferry route online via the new WSDOT website (or track it in the WSDOT app).
This year, WSDOT is encouraging travelers to prepare especially for winter travel as the staffing challenges mean the agency may no longer be able to provide the same level of service as in previous years. Crews will continue to plow roadways, but some roads may have snow or ice for longer, some road or pass closures may take longer, and some areas may not be plowed as often as in years past.
WSDOT officials say their crews need public help to prevent avoidable closings by making sure vehicles are properly equipped and drivers aren’t going too fast for the conditions.
Finally, State Route 123 Cayuse Pass, SR 410 Chinook Pass, and SR 20 North Cascades Highway are all closed during the season and are not available for vacation travel. These passes close every winter due to the risk of avalanches, poor road conditions, a lack of snow storage and a lack of emergency services in the vicinity.
