BELLINGHAM, WA – The annual closure of the North Cascades Highway for the winter begins Thursday evening at 6 p.m.

SR 20 closes every year thanks to snowfall in the area and this year is no exception.

The closure is between the Ross Dam Trailhead and Silver Star gate, as is normal for this time of year.

Snow is in the forecast for the mountains beginning tomorrow, with a potential 20 inches falling over the next few days followed by precipitation into next week.

WSDOT says Nov. 30 is the second latest SR 20 winter closure in the last decade.

The highway will reopen in the spring after crews clear the snow and make repairs.