Issued: 1:41 PM PST Wednesday, February 10, 2021
by Dallas Glass

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis

The story of the day remains the cold temperatures. Nearly all of our trailheads continue to struggle to even reach the low 20s. A few isolated snow showers dot the mountains, but accumulations in these areas seem negligible. Expect another night of downright frigid weather. Even with only light to moderate ridgetop winds, you could experience wind chill values well below 0F. Areas north of I90 should see some clearing overnight as a flattening high-pressure ridge pushes over the Cascades. 

The notable exceptions will be areas around Mt Hood, Mt Adams, and Mt St Helens. A low-pressure system will begin to approach Oregon's coast. As it does so, it lifts a band of clouds and precipitation from south to north. Light snow showers should develop near the Columbia River overnight. As showers spread northward, most of the snow stalls around I90 Thursday, leaving areas further north much drier. This storm won't bring much moisture, but you may find these modest water amounts produce more snow than normal. Off-shore flow will develop along with this approaching low-pressure system and locations near the Cascade Crest and mountain Passes should see strong easterly winds by Thursday afternoon. 

Most trailheads get a break in the weather Thursday night as a weak high-pressure ridge attempts to build into the region. This break looks short-lived as a second, more developed, storm system quickly approaches the Pacific Northwest. Expect increasing clouds across the forecast area Friday with some of the southern locations seeing snow before the end of the day. With very cold air firmly in place, we could recieve snowfall even at very low elevations. 

 

Weather Forecast

Olympics
West North
West Central
West South
Stevens Pass
Snoqualmie Pass
East North
East Central
East South
Mt. Hood
Use dropdown to select your zone
Wednesday Night Cold. Mostly cloudy with clearing. A few snow flurries possible.
Thursday Cold. Mostly cloudy with light snow showers.
Wednesday Night Cold. Mostly cloudy with clearing. A few snow flurries possible.
Thursday Cold. Mostly sunny.
Wednesday Night Cold. Mostly cloudy with clearing. A few snow flurries possible.
Thursday Cold. Mostly cloudy.
Wednesday Night Cold. Clouds increasing. Showers possible near Mt Adams and St Helens.
Thursday Cold. Light snow showers. Strong E ridgetop winds particularly near the Crest.
Wednesday Night Cold. Mostly cloudy with some clearing. E flow developing.
Thursday Cold. Mostly cloudy with very light snow showers. Moderate E winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Mostly cloudy. E flow developing.
Thursday Cold. Cloudy with very light snow showers. Strong E winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Mostly clear.
Thursday Cold. Mostly sunny.
Wednesday Night Cold. Mostly clear. Clouds mainly near the crest.
Thursday Cold. Mostly cloudy with snow showers south of the Wenatchee Mts.
Wednesday Night Cold. Mostly cloudy.
Thursday Cold. Cloudy with very light snow showers.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with light snow showers increasing. Strong W winds.
Thursday Cloudy with light snow. Strong alpine winds.

Issued: 1:41 PM PST Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Precipitation (in)

Wednesday Night Thursday Thursday Night Friday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 0 0 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 0 0 0
Stevens Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Paradise 0 0.25 0.25 0.25
White Pass 0 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25
Washington Pass 0 0 0 0
Mission Ridge 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25
Friday 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0.50
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0.50
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday 0.25 - 0.50

Issued: 1:41 PM PST Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night* Thursday Morning* Thursday Afternoon* Thursday Evening* Thursday Night* Friday Morning* Friday Afternoon*
Olympics 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
West North 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
West Central 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
West South 500' 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stevens Pass 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
East North 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
East Central 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
East South 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mt. Hood 1500' 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Olympics Elevation
Wednesday Evening 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Evening 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'
West Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'
West South Elevation
Wednesday Evening 500'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'
East North Elevation
Wednesday Evening 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'
East Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'
East South Elevation
Wednesday Evening 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening 1500'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning* 0'
Friday Afternoon* 0'

Issued: 1:41 PM PST Wednesday, February 10, 2021

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Wednesday Night Thursday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 16 / 10 20 / 7
West North 11 / 5 18 / 5
West Central 13 / 5 21 / 3
West South 17 / 13 20 / 10
Stevens Pass 14 / 5 20 / 5
Snoqualmie Pass 15 / 4 21 / 5
East North 5 / 0 12 / 0
East Central 13 / 5 17 / 0
East South 17 / 5 20 / 8
Mt. Hood 24 / 21 27 / 7
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 16 / 10
Thursday 20 / 7
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 11 / 5
Thursday 18 / 5
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 13 / 5
Thursday 21 / 3
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 17 / 13
Thursday 20 / 10
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 14 / 5
Thursday 20 / 5
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 15 / 4
Thursday 21 / 5
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 5 / 0
Thursday 12 / 0
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 13 / 5
Thursday 17 / 0
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 17 / 5
Thursday 20 / 8
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 24 / 21
Thursday 27 / 7

Issued: 1:41 PM PST Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics W 5-15 VAR 0-10 ESE 0-10 ESE 5-15
West North VAR 0-10 SE 5-15 ESE 5-15 E 10-20
West Central W 0-10 SE 5-15 ESE 5-15 ESE 10-20
West South W 5-15 S 5-15 ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30
Stevens Pass W 5-15 SE 5-15 ESE 10-20 ESE 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass W 5-15 SE 5-15 ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30
East North W 5-15 ESE 0-10 ESE 5-15 ESE 5-15
East Central W 5-15 W 5-15 SSE 5-15 ESE 5-15
East South W 10-20 W 5-15 S 5-15 SE 5-15
Mt. Hood W 20-30 W 15-25 SW 10-20 S 10-20
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 5-15
Wednesday Night VAR 0-10
Thursday Morning ESE 0-10
Thursday Afternoon ESE 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening VAR 0-10
Wednesday Night SE 5-15
Thursday Morning ESE 5-15
Thursday Afternoon E 10-20
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 0-10
Wednesday Night SE 5-15
Thursday Morning ESE 5-15
Thursday Afternoon ESE 10-20
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 5-15
Wednesday Night S 5-15
Thursday Morning ESE 15-25
Thursday Afternoon ESE 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 5-15
Wednesday Night SE 5-15
Thursday Morning ESE 10-20
Thursday Afternoon ESE 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 5-15
Wednesday Night SE 5-15
Thursday Morning ESE 15-25
Thursday Afternoon ESE 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 5-15
Wednesday Night ESE 0-10
Thursday Morning ESE 5-15
Thursday Afternoon ESE 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 5-15
Wednesday Night W 5-15
Thursday Morning SSE 5-15
Thursday Afternoon ESE 5-15
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 10-20
Wednesday Night W 5-15
Thursday Morning S 5-15
Thursday Afternoon SE 5-15
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 20-30
Wednesday Night W 15-25
Thursday Morning SW 10-20
Thursday Afternoon S 10-20

Issued: 1:41 PM PST Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Extended Weather Synopsis

The long-range forecast consists of two rather well-developed storms. The first, arriving Friday afternoon will spread snow from south to north across the region. While the bulk of the precipitation seems focussed on the southern half of the forecast area, all locations should see at least modest snowfall. Shower activity tries to wind down Saturday night and Sunday morning, but our second storm arrives right on the heels of the first. Snow returns to the mountains Sunday afternoon as the cold and snowy weather pattern continues. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Friday Night* Saturday * Saturday Night* Sunday *
West North 0 0 0 1000'
Snoqualmie Pass 0 500' 0 0
Mt. Hood 0 1000' 1000' 1000'
West North Elevation
Friday Night* 0'
Saturday * 0'
Saturday Night* 0'
Sunday * 1000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Night* 0'
Saturday * 500'
Saturday Night* 0'
Sunday * 0'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Night* 0'
Saturday * 1000'
Saturday Night* 1000'
Sunday * 1000'

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather

Previous forecast from Feb 10, 2021

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.

The 5000’ temperature forecast does not imply a trend over the 12 hr period and only represents the max and min temperatures within a 12 hr period in the zone. The 6-hr snow level forecast, the forecast discussion, and weather forecast sections may add detail regarding temperature trends.

The snow level forecast represents the general snow level over a 6 hr time period. Freezing levels are forecast when precipitation is not expected.

*Easterly or offshore flow is highlighted with an asterisk when we expect relatively cool east winds in the major Cascade Passes. Easterly flow will often lead to temperature inversions and is a key variable for forecasting precipitation type in the Cascade Passes. Strong easterly flow events can affect terrain on a more regional scale.

Ridgeline winds are the average wind speed and direction over a 6 hr time period.

The wind forecast represents an elevation range instead of a single elevation slice. The elevation range overlaps with the near and above treeline elevation bands in the avalanche forecast and differs per zone.

Wind direction indicates the direction the wind originates or comes from on the 16-point compass rose.

Water Equivalent (WE) is the liquid water equivalent of all precipitation types; rain, snow, ice pellets, etc., forecast to the hundredth of an inch at specific locations. To use WE as a proxy for snowfall amounts, start with a snow to water ratio of 10:1 (10 inches of snow = 1 inch WE). Temperatures at or near freezing will generally have a lower ratio (heavy wet snow) and very cold temperatures can have a much higher ratio (dry fluffy snow).

The label LT, is shorthand for ‘less than’.