ROCKPORT, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The North Cascades Highway is officially closed for the winter season ahead.

The road was temporarily closed between the Ross Dam trailhead and the Silver Star gate over the weekend due to heavy snowfall and wet weather in the forecast.

But the Washington State Department of Transportation announced on Monday, Nov. 18, that it will remain closed due to avalanche risk after receiving 15 inches of new snow.

The road will reopen in the spring after crews clear the snow and make any necessary repairs.

The North Cascades Highway reopened from its annual winter closure on April 19 last spring.