Heavy snow in the forecast means crews will close Chinook Pass and Cayuse Pass on state Route 410 and state Route 123, the Washington State Department of Transportation said in a news release Thursday.

The agency said the forecast called for 20 centimeters of snow in 24 hours.

The National Weather Service in Seattle posted on X Thursday: “A weather system will continue to affect the area through Friday. Rain will spread north, becoming steadier later tonight over low-lying areas. Mountain snow will increase tonight as well, with the heaviest amounts of snow by Friday evening around Mount Rainier.”

Chinook Pass is at 5,430 feet and Cayuse Pass is at 4,675 feet.

“The Washington State Department of Transportation has made the decision to temporarily close both passes for the safety of maintenance crews and travelers amid worsening road conditions and an increased risk of avalanches,” the news release said.

Crews were scheduled to close the gates at 12:30 p.m. from Crystal Mountain Boulevard to Morse Creek. They will decide on Monday whether to reopen the permits.

WSDOT posts updates on mountain pass conditions online.