[VIDEO] Mt. Baker Ski Area, WA, Projects December 19 Opening Day: "We're Waiting on Mother Nature" - SnowBrains

"Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington, is aiming for a December 19 opening, but the message from the mountain is clear: everything is ready-except the weather. "Lifts are ready and staff are ready to go. We're waiting on Mother Nature," the resort announced this week in a video shared on its social channels as a powerful atmospheric river continues to drench the Pacific Northwest with heavy rain and unusually warm temperatures."

"The atmospheric river brought torrential rain to the Cascades, causing delays well beyond ski operations. Across central and western Washington: Landslides have closed key highways, including U.S. 2 west of Leavenworth and sections of I-90 eastbound between milepost 27 and 32. SR-906 near the Summit at Snoqualmie has developed cracks that could complicate resort access once conditions improve. Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency, citing significant flooding and Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders along the Skagit River."

Mt. Baker aims for a December 19 opening but cannot open until colder, drier weather arrives. Lifts and staff are prepared, but warm, wet conditions from an atmospheric river have produced heavy rain and high freezing levels. The storm pattern has delayed openings across Washington, with Mission Ridge as a possible exception. The atmospheric river caused landslides, washouts, and damaged roadbeds, closing key highways and creating cracks on SR-906. A statewide emergency and Level 3 evacuations were declared along the Skagit River. Forecasts indicate colder temperatures by Tuesday and potential mountain snow, but a safe opening date remains pending.

Read at SnowBrains