Preparations already under way for snow on Tuesday

Weather forecasters may not agree on how much snow will fall or where it will stick, but most are pretty certain about the when:just in time for the Tuesday evening commute.

Weather forecasters may not agree on how much snow will fall or where it will stick, but most are pretty certain about the when:just in time for the Tuesday evening commute.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews are out today treating roads for a blast of cold weather tonight and possible snow, rain and wind Tuesday. WSDOT stockpiles are full and crews are coordinating with local agencies to clear snow, ice and disabled vehicles.

Crews will apply anti-icer, salt and sand in the locations where it’s needed. Part of the WSDOT arsenal are eight mini sanders that can maneuver in smaller spaces. They can reach problems spots quickly to put down sand to provide traction and get traffic flowing again.

WSDOT is preparing for a brief, but possibly intense, snowstorm expected to hit most of Western Washington Tuesday afternoon. Temperatures should increase late Tuesday and into Wednesday, with most areas seeing rain Wednesday.

In the mountains, those traveling over I-90 Snoqualmie Pass on Tuesday should be prepared for close to 10 inches of snow. Drivers headed over US 2 Stevens Pass can expect heavy snow and then winds on the west side of the pass, with gusts to 35 mph.