Flooding W. Washington rivers cresting

SEATTLE — Three to 7 inches of rain in the Cascades and melting snow overflowed some Western Washington rivers, but the National Weather Service says they’ll be cresting today and returning to their banks. The state’s Transportation Department had hoped to reopen Highway 2 over Stevens Pass following snow slides Tuesday but said early this morning that it likely will stay closed until mid-day because of the amount of snow that came down. Avalanche danger closed Snoqualmie Pass earlier Tuesday for 11 hours. Forecasters say a cold front moving into the state will drop the freezing level from as high as 6,000 feet to around 2,500 feet, holding precipitation in the mountains as snow. A flood warning remains in effect this morning for the Stillaguamish, Skykomish, Pilchuck, Tolt, Snoqualmie and Puyallup rivers. Flood watches remain and other rivers flowing off the Cascades. The cold will bring a chance of lowland snow showers over the weekend in Western Washington. In Eastern Washington, gusty winds are forecast today as the cold front moves through, bringing a chance of snow Friday night.