Heavy snowfall continues to blanket the Cascades.

Paradise received more than 17 inches of snow in the last 24 hours, bringing the total on the ground up to 164 inches. Back on Feb. 13, the total was just 124 inches. The current snow depth is 106 percent of normal.

There was no word this morning on the opening of the road from Longmire to Paradise.

The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center is forecasting considerable avalanche danger above 5,000 feet and moderate danger below that. The danger level will slowly decrease tonight.

Crystal Mountain Resort reported this morning that it received …

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UPDATED AT 11:12 A.M.

Mount Rainier officials are now estimating the road from Longmire to Paradise will be open about noon. Crews are currently plowing the parking lots and road at Paradise.

The Paradise area has received 14 inches of snow since Friday afternoon.

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Plenty of new snow in the mountains is causing access issues in some places, but should make for a good day on the ski slopes.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning until Sunday night. The forecast calls for at least of foot of snow in the mountain passes.

With …

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Checking the webcams at Paradise this morning, I came across this rather stunning scene, drifting snow blanketing the upper parking lot.

The Paradise area at Mount Rainier National Park has received more than 20 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, bringing the on-the-ground total to 139 inches.

According to the park, the road from Longmire to Paradise is not expected to open before 11 a.m. today. The park’s snowplows have yet to make it to Paradise.

UPDATED 10:29 A.M.

Mount Rainier National Park officials just announced the road to Paradise will remain closed at Longmire today.

The latest winter storm has brought 7-9 inches of new snow to Paradise, and more is expected today. The current National Weather Service forecast is calling for another 12-20 inches of snow today and tonight at Paradise.

Despite today’s closure, the park is planning for Paradise and the snowplay area to be open for the entire weekend, said Chief Ranger Chuck Young.

“The only thing that would prevent that would be if weather and snow is so extreme …

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Officials at Mount Rainier National Park a short time ago announced the road to Paradise will be closed at Longmire due to avalanche danger.

In the meantime, there has been no new word on the four people caught on the mountain by the storm. Check out our story and the ensuing discussion.

Winds continue to blast the upper mountain, where the pair of campers and pair of climbers are stranded. Winds at Camp Muir were averaging 95-96 mph early this morning, with peak gusts reaching 114 mph.

Lower on the mountain, they have had so much snow that chains …

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UPDATE: At 4:47 p.m., as the sun sets searchers are making their way back to Paradise and all are expected to report in by 5 p.m. The search will continue Monday, said park spokeswoman Lee Taylor, and the road to Paradise will be closed above Longmire. Searchers spoke with backcountry campers who said they saw tracks leading down the Stevens Creek drainage, a common wrong way route for lost climbers and snowshoers. The drainage would lead to Stevens Canyon Road, which is closed for the winter.

UPDATE: At 3:33 p.m., the park distributed a statement from superintendent …

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Mount Rainier National Park reopened this morning, six days after a law enforcement ranger was shot to death.

Memorials were set up for Margaret Anderson at the Nisqually entrance, Longmire and the Jackson Visitor Center, but most visitors seemed focused on getting out in the park’s wilderness.

Those who knew Anderson believe that’s the way she’d like it.

“Just being hear honors her,” said Rose Evans, a volunteer at Paradise who knew Anderson.

Tamar Young of Alaska was among those there to recreate.

“But being here it makes me think how fortunate I am and how quick things can change,” …

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The staff at Mount Rainier National Park and volunteers from the Tacoma Astronomical Society will hold a star party Friday at Paradise.

If the weather allows, the event will take place at 8 p.m. in the plaza in front of the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center. If the sky remains clear, the event will last until at least 10:30 p.m.

Visitors will have the chance to look through telescopes set up by members of the astronomy group.

If weather makes star gazing difficult, the party will be canceled. People should contact the Longmire Museum at 360-569-6575 Friday afternoon for …

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