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 Wednesday night through Friday
A frontal system is weakening as it passes through the Cascades this afternoon. We saw heavier precipitation this morning as a warm front moved through the area, but generally precipitation rates have backed off early this afternoon as the frontal system shears apart. However, behind the front convective showers have fired up in SSW flow. Light to moderate showers will continue this evening and become more scattered after midnight. Moderate to locally strong S-SW ridgeline winds will continue overnight and through Thursday.
The upper low will drift closer to the WA coast overnight and Thursday. With a cool and unstable air mass overhead, we'll see scattered showers become more widespread and intense in the afternoon and carry through the evening hours. Freezing levels will rise into the 4500-5500' range in the afternoon but heavier showers will drag the snow level down to 3000-4000'. The southwest Cascades, Mt Hood area and Olympics should see more showers and overall precipitation through Thursday evening.
Showers will once again wind down Thursday night and the parent low will pull south and away from the Pacific Northwest. We'll still have a longwave upper level trough overhead on Friday, leading to just enough instability for another round of afternoon mountain showers. However, shower coverage will be more scattered and they should be less intense relative to Thursday. Snow/freezing levels will be a notch warmer on Friday.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers becoming lighter and more scattered after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers increasing and becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
West North
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers becoming lighter and more scattered after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers increasing and becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West Central
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers becoming lighter and more scattered after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers increasing and becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West South
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers becoming lighter and more scattered after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers increasing and becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Stevens Pass
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers becoming lighter and more scattered after midnight. Light to moderate ridgeline and Pass level W-SW winds. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers increasing and becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.Periods of moderate S ridgeline winds. Light east winds at Pass level. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers becoming lighter and more scattered after midnight. Light to moderate ridgeline and Pass level W-SW winds. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers increasing and becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.Periods of moderate S ridgeline winds. Light east winds at Pass level. |
East North
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Partly to mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers increasing and becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. |
East Central
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Partly to mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers increasing and becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Partly to mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Becoming mostly cloudy with showers increasing and becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers becoming lighter and more scattered after midnight. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers increasing and becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 2:20 PM 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 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' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 3500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 5000' | 5000' | None' | 5500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
* 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 Night | Thursday | Thursday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | 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: 2:20 PM PST Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | SW None - None |
| Thursday Morning | SW None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | SW None - None |
| Thursday Morning | SW None - None |
| Thursday 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday 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: 2:20 PM PST Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday
Upper level ridging will nose into central British Columbia over the weekend with northerly flow setting up over the Pacific Northwest. We'll enjoy dry and mild conditions along with mostly clear skies over the weekend. Freezing levels will push into the 6500-7500' range by Sunday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday |
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 27, 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.