Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, December 14, 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 center of a lingering low-pressure system will pass overhead this afternoon/evening, take with it most of the remaining snow showers, and allow for some partial clearing overnight. Westerly winds and leftover low-level moisture should ring out an inch or so of snow and keep clouds banked up against the west slopes of the Cascades. Locations further east should enjoy a dry and mostly clear evening. 

While some locations may see blue sky to start the day Wednesday, an approaching storm will quickly spread clouds across the area. The bulk of this storm will head south into Oregon and California. However, precipitation should lift northward by the afternoon and bring snow to most trailheads. Our southern volcanoes from Mt Rainier to Mt Hood will experience the greatest snowfall totals with the possibility for more than a foot of snow before the storm ends. Southerly winds at the start of the storm should help bring moderate snow showers to areas east of the Cascade crest such as Bumping Lake, Mission Ridge, and Salmon la Sac. As the snow continues, the winds will shift more to the SW and focus any remaining showers back to the west slopes of the Cascades south of highway 2. 

On Thursday, a trailing shortwave disturbance appears to quickly sweep across the area and take advantage of the remaining moisture from the exiting storm. This should allow for a decent round of snow showers in the central Cascades and on the volcanoes. Other areas will see conditions start to dry out for a brief break in the weather. 

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
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Moderate WSW winds become S and increase overnight.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Moderate to strong S winds decrease slightly in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Moderate S winds become strong overnight.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Moderate to strong S winds decrease slightly in the afternoon and become SE.
Tuesday Night Cloudy with scattered snow showers. Moderate SW winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with isolated snow showers particularly in the afternoon. Moderate winds becoming SE.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with snow showers mainly near Mt Rainier. Moderate SW winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with snow heaviest near the volcanoes. Moderate SSW winds become strong SE. Higher wind speeds are possible near the crest.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Light W ridgetop winds. Easterly flow developing overnight.
Wednesday Cloudy with isolated snow showers. Light SW winds become moderate in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Cloudy with isolated snow showers. Light to moderate WSW winds decrease slightly overnight.
Wednesday Cloudy with snow showers. Moderate SE winds increase slightly in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy to mostly clear. A few flurries are possible. Light SW winds.
Wednesday Becoming cloudy with a few flurries possible. SE winds become moderate in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy to mostly clear. Scattered showers near the crest. Flurries possible elsewhere. Light to moderate W winds decrease overnight.
Wednesday Becoming cloudy with increasing snow showers. Moderate S winds increase in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy to mostly clear. Scattered showers near the crest with flurries possible elsewhere. Moderate W winds decrease overnight.
Wednesday Cloudy with snow showers. Moderate S winds increase in the afternoon and become strong.
Tuesday Night Becoming mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Moderate W winds decrease slightly.
Wednesday Cloudy with light to moderate snow. Moderate to strong SSW winds.

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon* Wednesday Evening* Wednesday Night* Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics 1500' 1500' 1500' 2000' 1500' 1500' 1500' 2500'
West North 500' 1000' 1000' 1000' 500' 500' 500' 1000'
West Central 1000' 1000' 500' 1000' 500' 500' 500' 2000'
West South 1000' 1000' 500' 1000' 500' 500' 500' 2000'
Stevens Pass 1000' 500' 500' 1000' 500' 500' 500' 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass 1000' 500' 500' 1000' 500' 500' 500' 2000'
East North 500' 500' 500' 500' 0 0 500' 1000'
East Central 1000' 500' 500' 1000' 500' 500' 500' 2000'
East South 1000' 1000' 500' 1000' 500' 500' 500' 2000'
Mt. Hood 1000' 1000' 1000' 2000' 1500' 1500' 1500' 3000'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Evening 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1500'
Wednesday Morning* 1500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2000'
Wednesday Evening* 1500'
Wednesday Night* 1500'
Thursday Morning 1500'
Thursday Afternoon 2500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Evening 500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 1000'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening 1000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Evening 1000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening 1000'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening 1000'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Evening 500'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 500'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 1000'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening 1000'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Evening 1000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening 1000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2000'
Wednesday Evening* 1500'
Wednesday Night* 1500'
Thursday Morning 1500'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, December 14, 2021

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 20 / 19 23 / 19
West North 19 / 13 23 / 17
West Central 19 / 14 19 / 16
West South 19 / 17 22 / 15
Stevens Pass 18 / 15 20 / 15
Snoqualmie Pass 19 / 17 19 / 15
East North 14 / 11 16 / 12
East Central 17 / 15 19 / 14
East South 18 / 15 19 / 13
Mt. Hood 18 / 15 23 / 17
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 20 / 19
Wednesday 23 / 19
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 19 / 13
Wednesday 23 / 17
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 19 / 14
Wednesday 19 / 16
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 19 / 17
Wednesday 22 / 15
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 18 / 15
Wednesday 20 / 15
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 19 / 17
Wednesday 19 / 15
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 14 / 11
Wednesday 16 / 12
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 17 / 15
Wednesday 19 / 14
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 18 / 15
Wednesday 19 / 13
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 18 / 15
Wednesday 23 / 17

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Extended Weather Synopsis

This weather feels like we're on repeat here in the Pacific Northwest. A storm rolls through, steady precipitation turns to showers, and the mountains see a short-lived break ahead of the next storm. This pattern will yet again repeat itself as we head towards the weekend. Lingering showers Thursday night should continue to add a bit of snow for locations near and west of the Cascade crest. On Friday, a weak high-pressure ridge passes over the area and should result in a nice day with some blue sky and mostly dry weather. By Friday night, another developing storm should begin to bear down on the region with increasing clouds, winds, and precipitation. This storm looks a bit warmer than the weather from this week, however, most mountain trailheads should continue to see snow. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night Friday Friday Night* Saturday *
West North 500' 500' 1000' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 1000' 1500' 1500' 3000'
Mt. Hood 2000' 2500' 4000' 5000'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night 500'
Friday 500'
Friday Night* 1000'
Saturday * 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night 1000'
Friday 1500'
Friday Night* 1500'
Saturday * 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night 2000'
Friday 2500'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday * 5000'

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

Previous forecast from Dec 14, 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’.