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DECEMBER 17, 2025
VOL. 106, NO. 51
Ski Season Delayed at Snoqualmie Pass as Rainfall Melts Early Snow and Landslides Cut Off Mountain Towns Staff Report
LAURA MARIE RIVERA
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inter sports fans eager to launch the ski season at Snoqualmie Pass will have to wait a little longer. A series of warm storms has brought heavy rain instead of snow to the Cascades, melting early accumulation and preventing resorts from building the solid base needed to safely open terrain. The Summit at Snoqualmie has not yet announced an opening date, sharing with skiers that operations will begin “as soon as we have enough snow” and that colder temperatures are needed before crews can prepare runs. Staff noted that the atmospheric river earlier this month washed away much of the early-season snowpack and left the mountain with too little coverage to operate safely. The weather hasn’t just delayed skiing. It has reshaped holiday plans across the region. Days of saturated ground and runoff triggered multiple landslides on key mountain corridors, creating major travel disruptions. On Interstate 90 near Snoqualmie Pass, debris slides temporarily closed eastbound lanes while crews cleared mud, rocks, and fallen trees. Far more disruptive for holiday travelers, U.S. Highway 2—the main route from Seattle to Leavenworth—remains fully closed in both directions after landslides covered large stretches of roadway west of town. Transportation officials say there is no estimated reopening time, as crews must wait for the slopes to stabilize before they can safely remove debris. The closure means something many Seattle families have never experienced: no Christmas in Leavenworth, at least not in the way the region is accustomed. December weekends normally draw thousands of visitors for the Bavarian village’s lights, markets, and parades. This year, those traditions are largely inaccessible to Puget Sound residents until the highway reopens. The National Weather Service continues to issue flood and landslide advisories as warm storms keep snow levels high and soils saturated. Forecasters expect periodic cooling but say the mountains may remain vulnerable to additional slides if heavy rain returns. For now, skiers, holiday travelers, and mountain communities must wait. Resort opening dates will depend on when sustained snowfall arrives, and Leavenworth’s tourist season will remain cut off until transportation crews can safely reopen Highway 2. As Washington heads deeper into December, the hope is the same across the Cascades: colder nights, safer slopes, and clearer roads for a winter that, so far, has had trouble getting started.
On the first night of Hanukkah, a single flame is lit - a reminder that light is not the absence of darkness, but the courage to kindle hope within it. In a history, and a present, marked by persecution and violence against Jewish people, that flame bears witness to resilience, remembrance, and the refusal to let faith or identity be extinguished. Reuven Carlisle, founder of Earth Finance and former State Senator, was at the ceremony in Queen Anne and said, “What a beautiful moment to be able to get together as a community on the first day of Hanukkah. At a time when there’s so much pain from the situation in Australia and around the world, just a moment where we get to appreciate—with a sense of gratitude—that community cares for one another. And to see that the Seattle Police Department proactively came out to provide an extra level of protection is just deeply, deeply appreciated.”
Mayor-elect Wilson to Retain Seattle Police and Public Safety Leadership departmental culture. His professional background also includes recognition from the National Institute of Justice and work on national policing reform councils. SPD’s staffing levels have improved over the last year. As of December 4, the department reported having 921 deployable officers and has hired more officers in 2025 than in any year since 2010. Staff Report
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eattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson announced Wednesday that she will retain key public safety leaders as her administration prepares to take office next month. Police Chief Shon Barnes, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, Office of Emergency Management Director Curry Mayer, and Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Chief Amy Barden will all continue in their current roles. Wilson said her goal is to ensure coordination across departments and support PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
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ongoing work to improve emergency response, accountability, and citywide safety efforts. FOCUS ON COORDINATED PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE Seattle’s CARE department provides unarmed, community-based responses to nonviolent crises involving behavioral health needs, substance use, or homelessness. The program connects individuals with services, shelter, and supplies while reducing reliance on sworn officers for calls that do not involve a threat of violence. Wilson campaigned on expanding CARE, and her decision to retain Barnes signals an emphasis on strengthening coordination between the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and civilian responder teams. The goal is to direct the appropriate responders to each 911 call type and streamline operations between departments.
Earlier this week, the Seattle City Council approved a labor agreement with the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) that allows CARE responders to be dispatched to a wider range of 911 calls. The contract also includes provisions to increase staffing within the department. BARNES TO CONTINUE AS POLICE CHIEF Barnes, who joined SPD earlier this year, said he was “extremely honored” to continue leading the department. He noted that SPD’s priorities remain focused on crime prevention, community engagement, workforce recruitment and retention, and ongoing improvement of department practices. Before coming to Seattle, Barnes served as chief of police in Madison, Wisconsin, where his tenure included efforts to strengthen community-police relations and
CONTINUED GROWTH AND OVERSIGHT FOR CARE CARE currently oversees crisis diversion programs, public safety shelter coordination, and street outreach teams. Its expansion has drawn interest from council members seeking additional data on response outcomes and training standards. During October budget discussions, Councilmember Maritza Rivera requested more detailed reporting to help the public understand the department’s effectiveness as it grows. City staff are expected to provide additional information during the 2026 budget cycle. Wilson said promotions within SPD during her administration will be based on performance, integrity, and sound judgment. Her leadership team will take office when she is sworn in as mayor next month.