Issued: 1:50 PM PST Sunday, November 28, 2021
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

Our warm, wet, and windy weather will continue as we start the week. A wide band of light to moderate rain will shift further south Sunday evening spreading precipitation across the region as a weak cold front stalls over western Washington. Snow levels should drop slowly to around 5500-6500', allowing for snow to return to the tops of the higher peaks. A short-wave through appears to quickly approach and pass over the region Monday morning. This should result in a slight increase in wind speeds and precipitation. Look for the wind to shift from the west to southwest as the trough nears and stronger ridgetop winds develop for many locations. By Monday evening, shower activity and winds should die down significantly and give us a brief break overnight ahead of the next storm. 

By early Tuesday morning, yet another atmospheric river will take aim at the Pacific Northwest. While the brunt of this storm appears to focus on British Columbia, significant precipitation should make its way into Washington. Similar to recent atmospheric rivers, "warm, wet, and windy" will sum up this event. Very warm air will move into the region Tuesday sending snow levels flying to 9000-10000'. Mountain locations, particularly across the northern half of the forecast area, could receive several inches of rain Tuesday through Wednesday. All of this will be accompanied by very strong and gusty westerly winds. This storm will stretch into the extended forecast period. 

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
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered showers. Moderate W winds decreasing.
Monday Cloudy with scattered showers. Strong WSW winds developing during the day.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and high elevation snow showers. Moderate winds decreasing.
Monday Cloudy with rain and high elevation snow showers. Moderate to strong SW winds increasing during the day.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and high elevation snow. Moderate W winds decreasing slightly overnight.
Monday Cloudy with periods of rain and high elevation snow. Moderate SW winds increasing during the day.
Sunday Night Cloudy with showers, heaviest near Mt Rainier. Strong W winds becoming moderate overnight.
Monday Cloudy with showers, heaviest near Mt Rainier. Moderate SW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and high elevation snow showers. Moderate W winds.
Monday Cloudy with rain and high elevation snow showers. Moderate WSW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and high elevation snow. Moderate to strong W winds decreasing slightly overnight.
Monday Cloudy with rain and high elevation snow. Moderate to strong W wind increasing in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered showers mostly near the Cascade crest. Moderate to strong W winds decreasing slightly overnight.
Monday Cloudy with isolated showers mostly near the Cascade crest. Moderate WSW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered showers, heaviest near the Cascade Crest. Strong W winds decreasing slightly.
Monday Cloudy with scattered showers, heaviest near the Cascade Crest. Mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Moderate to strong W winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered showers, heaviest near the Cascade Crest. Moderate to strong W winds decreasing overnight.
Monday Cloudy with scattered showers, heaviest near the Cascade Crest. Mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Moderate to strong W winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered showers. Moderate to strong W winds decreasing slightly overnight.
Monday Cloudy with scattered showers in the morning. Moderate to strong W winds. Becoming partly cloudy late afternoon.

Issued: 1:50 PM PST Sunday, November 28, 2021

Precipitation (in)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.25 1.00
Stevens Pass 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.50 - 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass 0.50 0.25 LT 0.25 0.50 - 0.75
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0 LT 0.25
Paradise 0.75 -1.00 0.25 LT 0.10 0.50
White Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0 LT 0.10
Washington Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.25 0.50 0 LT 0.10
Timberline LT 0.25 0.50 0 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 1.00
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.75 -1.00
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.50
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.50
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10

Issued: 1:50 PM PST Sunday, November 28, 2021

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics 7000' 6000' 6000' 5500' 5000' 6000' 8000' 10000'
West North 6500' 6000' 5500' 5500' 5500' 5000' 4500' 6000'
West Central 7000' 6500' 6000' 6000' 6000' 5500' 5500' 8500'
West South 8000' 7000' 6000' 6000' 5500' 5500' 7000' 10000'
Stevens Pass 7500' 7000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 5500' 6000' 9000'
Snoqualmie Pass 7500' 7000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 5500' 6500' 9500'
East North 6500' 6000' 5500' 5500' 5000' 5000' 5000' 7000'
East Central 7500' 7000' 6000' 6000' 6000' 5500' 6500' 9500'
East South 8500' 7500' 6500' 6000' 5500' 5500' 7000' 10000'
Mt. Hood 8000' 8000' 7000' 6000' 5500' 5500' 7500' 10500'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening 7000'
Sunday Night 6000'
Monday Morning 6000'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
Monday Evening 5000'
Monday Night 6000'
Tuesday Morning 8000'
Tuesday Afternoon 10000'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening 6500'
Sunday Night 6000'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
Monday Evening 5500'
Monday Night 5000'
Tuesday Morning 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 6000'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 7000'
Sunday Night 6500'
Monday Morning 6000'
Monday Afternoon 6000'
Monday Evening 6000'
Monday Night 5500'
Tuesday Morning 5500'
Tuesday Afternoon 8500'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening 8000'
Sunday Night 7000'
Monday Morning 6000'
Monday Afternoon 6000'
Monday Evening 5500'
Monday Night 5500'
Tuesday Morning 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon 10000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 7500'
Sunday Night 7000'
Monday Morning 6000'
Monday Afternoon 6000'
Monday Evening 6000'
Monday Night 5500'
Tuesday Morning 6000'
Tuesday Afternoon 9000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 7500'
Sunday Night 7000'
Monday Morning 6000'
Monday Afternoon 6000'
Monday Evening 6000'
Monday Night 5500'
Tuesday Morning 6500'
Tuesday Afternoon 9500'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening 6500'
Sunday Night 6000'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
Monday Evening 5000'
Monday Night 5000'
Tuesday Morning 5000'
Tuesday Afternoon 7000'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 7500'
Sunday Night 7000'
Monday Morning 6000'
Monday Afternoon 6000'
Monday Evening 6000'
Monday Night 5500'
Tuesday Morning 6500'
Tuesday Afternoon 9500'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening 8500'
Sunday Night 7500'
Monday Morning 6500'
Monday Afternoon 6000'
Monday Evening 5500'
Monday Night 5500'
Tuesday Morning 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon 10000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening 8000'
Sunday Night 8000'
Monday Morning 7000'
Monday Afternoon 6000'
Monday Evening 5500'
Monday Night 5500'
Tuesday Morning 7500'
Tuesday Afternoon 10500'

Issued: 1:50 PM PST Sunday, November 28, 2021

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 36 / 35 37 / 34
West North 36 / 33 35 / 34
West Central 37 / 35 36 / 35
West South 39 / 37 37 / 32
Stevens Pass 38 / 36 37 / 35
Snoqualmie Pass 38 / 36 36 / 35
East North 37 / 35 36 / 33
East Central 38 / 36 37 / 34
East South 39 / 37 39 / 33
Mt. Hood 40 / 37 42 / 35
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 36 / 35
Monday 37 / 34
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 36 / 33
Monday 35 / 34
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 37 / 35
Monday 36 / 35
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 39 / 37
Monday 37 / 32
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 38 / 36
Monday 37 / 35
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 38 / 36
Monday 36 / 35
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 37 / 35
Monday 36 / 33
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 38 / 36
Monday 37 / 34
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 39 / 37
Monday 39 / 33
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 40 / 37
Monday 42 / 35

Issued: 1:50 PM PST Sunday, November 28, 2021

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics W 10-20 W 5-15 WSW 10-20 WSW 20-30
West North WSW 10-20 W 5-15 WSW 10-20 SW 15-25
West Central W 15-25 W 10-20 WSW 10-20 SW 15-25
West South W 20-30 W 10-20 WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20
Stevens Pass W 10-20 W 10-20 WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass W 20-30 W 15-25 W 15-25 W 20-30
East North W 20-30 W 15-25 W 15-25 WSW 10-20
East Central W 30-40 W 25-35 WNW 20-30 W 15-25
East South W 30-40 W 15-25 WNW 20-30 W 15-25
Mt. Hood W 25-35 W 20-30 WNW 20-30 W 15-25
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 10-20
Sunday Night W 5-15
Monday Morning WSW 10-20
Monday Afternoon WSW 20-30
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 10-20
Sunday Night W 5-15
Monday Morning WSW 10-20
Monday Afternoon SW 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 15-25
Sunday Night W 10-20
Monday Morning WSW 10-20
Monday Afternoon SW 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 20-30
Sunday Night W 10-20
Monday Morning WSW 10-20
Monday Afternoon WSW 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 10-20
Sunday Night W 10-20
Monday Morning WSW 10-20
Monday Afternoon WSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 20-30
Sunday Night W 15-25
Monday Morning W 15-25
Monday Afternoon W 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 20-30
Sunday Night W 15-25
Monday Morning W 15-25
Monday Afternoon WSW 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 30-40
Sunday Night W 25-35
Monday Morning WNW 20-30
Monday Afternoon W 15-25
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 30-40
Sunday Night W 15-25
Monday Morning WNW 20-30
Monday Afternoon W 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 25-35
Sunday Night W 20-30
Monday Morning WNW 20-30
Monday Afternoon W 15-25

Issued: 1:50 PM PST Sunday, November 28, 2021

Extended Weather Synopsis

Significant rain and high elevation snow should continue to impact the Pacific Northwest Tuesday night and Wednesday as a lingering atmospheric river remains focused on southwestern Canada. Our heaviest precipitation totals are likely in locations near Hurrican Ridge, Mt Baker, and the Mountain Loop Highway. However, if this storm sags south, all locations could see another large-scale rain event. By Wednesday evening, dwindling showers and cooling temperatures should spread across the area. It remains to be seen how much moisture is left once snow levels drop back below most mountain locations. While the remainder of the extended forecast period looks cold and dry, westerly upper-level winds could keep the door open for small storms and periods of light precipitation. 

 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
West North 8000' 6500' 5000' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 9500' 7500' 6000' 3500'
Mt. Hood 10500' 9500' 7500' 5500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night 8000'
Wednesday 6500'
Wednesday Night 5000'
Thursday 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night 9500'
Wednesday 7500'
Wednesday Night 6000'
Thursday 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night 10500'
Wednesday 9500'
Wednesday Night 7500'
Thursday 5500'

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

Previous forecast from Nov 27, 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’.