Mountain Passes Open Early This Year

For the first time in the history of Washington state, two mountain passes are open in early April. The The Washington State Department of Transportation reopened Chinook Pass and Cayuse Pass on Thursday afternoon.

DOT officials say despite spring storms this week, the mild winter allowed crews to start clearing snow ahead of schedule and they were able to condense three months of work into a few weeks.

Still, the Transportation Department cautions drivers that conditions can change frequently on remote mountain roads.

Crews were set to open the North Cascades Highway later today.