Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Thursday
A strong storm relative to late March is currently bearing down on the PNW with warm frontal precipitation spreading over the area. Precipitation rates should be highest this morning as snow levels rise from 2500-3000' over the WA Cascades to 4000-4500', with slightly higher freezing levels down near Mt Hood. Precipitation forecasts continue to range from 0.35-1.00" for today, with the higher totals for Mt Baker/Mt Rainier/Mt St Helens, and the Crystal area. Above the rain-line, 4-12" of snow will likely accumulate today. The back edge of the frontal system will pass through a bit faster, meaning a quicker transition from steady precipitation to showers in the afternoon along with the potential for sunbreaks. Most areas will see moderate winds, but the Olympics, Mt Hood and Crystal Mt area will see strong winds for much of the day.
Showers will taper off overnight and become lighter and more scattered. The low pressure system will drift towards the WA coast tonight and Thursday. We'll have a cool unstable air mass overhead on Thursday, and convective showers will fire up over the mountains in the afternoon. Some showers will be heavy at times and contain graupel. Freezing levels will rise to 4500-5500' but snow levels will fall to around 3500' during showers.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday | Light to moderate rain and snow through early afternoon, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West North
| Wednesday | Moderate rain and snow through mid-afternoon, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West Central
| Wednesday | Light to moderate rain and snow through mid-afternoon, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West South
| Wednesday | Moderate rain and snow through mid-afternoon, occasionally heavy Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens area, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds, locally strong Crystal Mt area. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Stevens Pass
| Wednesday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow through mid-afternoon, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate Pass level and ridgeline SE winds becoming SW late in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline and Pass level W-SW winds. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday | Light to moderate rain and snow through mid-afternoon, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate Pass level and ridgeline SE winds becoming SW late in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline and Pass level W-SW winds. |
East North
| Wednesday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow through mid-afternoon, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
East Central
| Wednesday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow through mid-afternoon, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| Wednesday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow through mid-afternoon, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Moderate rain and snow through mid-afternoon, then mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 7:01 AM PST Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 3000' | None' | 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4500' | 4000' | None' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
* 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
| Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 am - 5 pm | 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.75 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
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: 7:01 AM PST Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I
Previous forecast from March 26, 2024
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.