The Chronicle

     MAZAMA - Mother Nature dumped four inches of snow on the North Cascades Highway between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. today, Nov. 19, prompting state officials to close state Highway 20 at noon.
     The closure is considered temporary, state Department of Transportation spokesman Jeff Adamson said.
     State officials will assess snowfall later in the week and possibly as late as next Monday to determine if the highway will reopen or be closed for the winter.
     "As of now, we've got about three feet accumulation, which is how much you need to fill avalanche chutes," Adamson said. "Couple that with the forecast that the heavy snow falling now is likely to continue until 4 p.m. or so, and it's very likely that the snow slides are going to continue, making driving - for our crews and you - unsafe."