Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday
The Pacific Northwest transitions back to more typical early spring weather as we head into the weekend. A cold front ahead of a closed low ultimately ushers in the cooling, but also extends a band of moderate rain and snow, lifting northward largely ahead of the cooling. Peak precipitation occurs during the evening hours for Mt Hood, overnight for the southern and central Washington Cascades, and the front stalls over the northern Cascades on Saturday. Models differ regarding whether some moderate precipitation lingers over the central Washington Cascades into the morning hours. Snow levels start around 5500-6000 ft Friday evening, but drop to 4000 ft on Saturday. Upper elevations across the region can expect 4-8” of snowfall, with those amounts extending into middle elevations from Stevens Pass northward as snow levels lower to 4000 ft by Saturday. Expect a relative break in the action for areas south of the precipitation band before more scattered light rain and snow showers develop from Snoqualmie Pass south to Mt Hood during the afternoon.
Light rain and snow showers continue across the region on Saturday night under the influence of a broad trough. NNW flow aloft develops on Sunday, with scattered to isolated convective showers for both sides the Cascades from around Stevens Pass southward. Snow levels range from 3000-4000 ft. Expect breaks in the clouds with more plentiful sunshine east of the Cascade Crest, particularly during the morning hours.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Friday Night | Increasing light rain and snow (moderate in southern and eastern Olympics). |
| Saturday | Cooler with moderate rain and snow early, tapering to light showers. |
West North
| Friday Night | Scattered light rain and snow showers. |
| Saturday | Light to moderate rain and snow. Cooler. |
West Central
| Friday Night | Scattered light rain and snow showers becoming light to moderate rain and snow after midnight. |
| Saturday | Moderate rain and snow becoming light and tapering in the afternoon. Cooler. |
West South
| Friday Night | Light, increasing to moderate, rain and snow. |
| Saturday | Light rain and snow showers. Cooler. |
Stevens Pass
| Friday Night | Light rain and snow develop and increase towards morning. Light ridgeline and E winds at the Pass shift W overnight. |
| Saturday | Moderate rain and snow early become light and scattered as the day progresses. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. Cooler. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday Night | Light rain and snow develop and increase towards morning. Light ridgeline and E winds at the Pass shift W overnight. |
| Saturday | Moderate rain and snow early become light and scattered as the day progresses. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. Cooler. |
East North
| Friday Night | Increasing periods of light rain and snow. |
| Saturday | Light to moderate rain and snow. Cooler. |
East Central
| Friday Night | Increasing light rain and snow become moderate overnight. become moderate overnight. |
| Saturday | Moderate rain and snow become light and showery early in the day. |
East South
| Friday Night | Increasing light to moderate rain and snow. |
| Saturday | Decreasing light rain and snow showers. Cooler. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday Night | Moderate rain and snow decrease into the light range overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds from variable directions. |
| Saturday | Light rain and snow showers. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 2:33 PM PST Friday, March 22, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 5500' | 6000' | None' | 6000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4500' | 4500' | None' | 5000' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 4000' |
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 4000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 4000' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3000' | None' | 3500' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 4000' | None' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.
Precipitation Forecast
| Friday Night | Saturday | Saturday Night | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
LT = less than; WE or Water equivalent is the liquid water equivalent of melted snow in hundredths of inches. As a rough approximation 1 inch of snow = about .10 inches WE, or 10 inches of snow = about 1 inch WE.
Issued: 2:33 PM PST Friday, March 22, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | E None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | E None - None |
| Friday Night | WSW None - None |
| Saturday Morning | SW None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | E None - None |
| Friday Night | WSW None - None |
| Saturday Morning | SW None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW None - None |
Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.
Issued: 2:33 PM PST Friday, March 22, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Tuesday
A weak shortwave ridge brings a relative break in the shower activity Sunday night. Additional disturbances arriving Monday through Tuesday bring shower activity, mainly to the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics. Temperatures will be slightly below seasonal norms.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from March 22, 2024
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