WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Drivers are being urged to take caution when traveling over the mountains this week amid a heavy snow dump.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm warning for the Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit counties from 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6 through 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.

The passes are expected to get 2 to 4 feet of snow, peaking on Tuesday morning into the night. Forecasters say snow rates will approach one inch per hour during that time.

Wind gusts could also reach up to 35 mph.

NWS warns that travel over the mountains could be difficult to impossible over the next few days.

The Mt. Baker Highway remains open daily with one-lane traffic through the construction zone between mileposts 41 and 44.