WENATCHEE — Hey roadtrippers, check the passes, pack your traction devices and take your time, because snow is in the forecast most everywhere in the region but right here.

Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort reported 7 inches of new snow overnight. Stevens Pass reported 21 inches of new snow over the past 24 hours.

Traction tires were required this morning in both directions over Stevens and Blewett and recommended over Snoqualmie Pass. Snowing was falling, at times heavily, over all three passes, and roads were hazardous with snow, ice and slush.

Snow is forecast through at least this evening, with a cold northwest weather pattern expected to remain in place through Saturday.

“Slow down, take your time, preplan, bring your chains,” advises Trooper Darren Wright, State Patrol spokesman.

He said 20 collisions, most of them weather related, were reported on state roadways yesterday from Kittitas County and into North Central Washington. Seven collisions were reported this morning in Kittitas County between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m., he said, with troopers heading to three more.

Weather warnings are in effect for the eastern slopes of the North Cascades, including Stehekin and the Lake Wenatchee area, with 4 to 8 inches of snow expected near the crest and 1 to 4 inches forecast for the valleys.

Snow, but not necessarily a lot, is expected to fall much of today and into the evening in the Okanogan highlands and around South Central Washington.

Wenatchee, north to Chelan and east to Quincy and Ephrata are among the few snow-free zones forecast in the region, with partly to mostly sunny conditions expected today and Saturday.

Snow is forecast in the higher elevations around the valley today, but with little to no accumulation.

Christine Pratt: 665-1173

pratt@wenatcheeworld.com