Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, January 2, 2022
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

A strong frontal system has spread precipitation over much of the region this afternoon. Snowfall rates will increase this afternoon and evening for the Olympics, north and central Cascades, and overnight for the southern Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. Strong offshore flow will produce strong east winds at Pass level for the major Passes through tonight. For areas west of the Cascade crest that saw some warming over the last 24 hrs, expect cold temperatures and low snow levels to quickly return this evening through Monday, the exception being Mt hood where temperatures will be slower to cool. Strong to extreme southerly winds will shift south as the frontal boundary sags south overnight. 

Mt Hood will see extreme winds that pick up this afternoon last through at least mid-morning as heavy precipitation associated with the frontal boundary continues.  Further north a trailing upper level feature will reinvigorate showers over the Olympics Monday morning and then over the Cascades in the afternoon. Expect a surge of S-SW winds with this feature in the afternoon and switch from S-SW to westerly winds. 

Yet another feature rotating out of the low pressure system offshore will pass through late Monday night to keep relatively lighter showers in the forecast. NW flow aloft will continue showers for northern areas on Tuesday.  A developing low pressure system may bring steadier and more moderate snow to the Mt Hood region once again. 

 

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 Moderate to occasionally heavy snow decreasing late tonight. Strong to extreme winds decreasing in the evening.
Monday Moderate snow showers in the morning, becoming light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Moderate to occasionally heavy snow decreasing late tonight. Strong to extreme winds decreasing after midnight.
Monday Light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds increasing and becoming strong in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Moderate to occasionally heavy snow and strong to extreme winds.
Monday Light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds increasing and becoming strong in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Moderate to heavy snow and strong to extreme winds.
Monday Light to moderate snow showers in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds increasing in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Moderate snow. Strong east winds at Pass level.
Monday Light snow showers in the morning becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Light to moderate east winds becoming west in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Moderate to occasionally heavy snow. Strong east winds at Pass level.
Monday Light snow showers in the morning becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Light to moderate east winds becoming west in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Moderate snow and strong winds easing late.
Monday Light snow snow showers, occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest.
Sunday Night Moderate snow and strong winds.
Monday Light snow showers, occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest.
Sunday Night Moderate snow and strong to extreme winds.
Monday Light to moderate snow in the morning, then light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Moderate rain and snow becoming heavy after midnight. Extreme winds.
Monday Stormy with heavy rain and snow in the morning, then moderate snow showers. Strong winds slowly decreasing during the day.

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, January 2, 2022

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 1.00 - 1.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 1.50 - 2.00 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 1.00 - 1.50 0.50 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass 0.75 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 1.00 0.50 0.25 0.25
Crystal Mt 1.00 - 1.50 0.50 LT 0.25 0.25
Paradise 1.50 - 2.00 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass 1.00 - 1.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 0.25
Washington Pass 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 1.00 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 1.00 - 1.50 1.50 0.50 0.50
Timberline 1.50 - 2.00 2.00 0.50 - 0.75 0.75
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.50 - 2.00
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Monday 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.75
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.00
Monday 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Monday 0.50
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0.25
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.50 - 2.00
Monday 0.75
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.00
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Monday 1.50
Monday Night 0.50
Tuesday 0.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 1.50 - 2.00
Monday 2.00
Monday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday 0.75

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, January 2, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening* Sunday Night* Monday Morning* Monday Afternoon Monday Evening Monday Night* Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics 2000' 1500' 1500' 1500' 1000' 500' 500' 500'
West North 500' 0 0 500' 500' 0 0 500'
West Central 500' 500' 500' 500' 500' 0 0 500'
West South 1500' 500' 500' 1000' 500' 0 0 1000'
Stevens Pass 0 0 0 500' 500' 0 0 500'
Snoqualmie Pass 500' 0 0 500' 500' 0 0 500'
East North 0 0 0 0 500' 0 0 500'
East Central 0 0 0 500' 500' 0 0 500'
East South 500' 500' 500' 1000' 500' 0 0 500'
Mt. Hood 4000' 4500' 3500' 2000' 1500' 1000' 1500' 2500'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening* 2000'
Sunday Night* 1500'
Monday Morning* 1500'
Monday Afternoon 1500'
Monday Evening 1000'
Monday Night* 500'
Tuesday Morning* 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening* 500'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 500'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening* 500'
Sunday Night* 500'
Monday Morning* 500'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 500'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening* 1500'
Sunday Night* 500'
Monday Morning* 500'
Monday Afternoon 1000'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 1000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening* 500'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 500'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon 0'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 500'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 500'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening* 500'
Sunday Night* 500'
Monday Morning* 500'
Monday Afternoon 1000'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 4500'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon 2000'
Monday Evening 1500'
Monday Night* 1000'
Tuesday Morning* 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, January 2, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 25 / 20 20 / 15
West North 26 / 22 21 / 18
West Central 22 / 19 21 / 17
West South 27 / 22 22 / 18
Stevens Pass 21 / 19 22 / 17
Snoqualmie Pass 20 / 17 21 / 18
East North 14 / 11 21 / 15
East Central 21 / 19 22 / 18
East South 24 / 21 23 / 18
Mt. Hood 30 / 26 26 / 21
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 25 / 20
Monday 20 / 15
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 26 / 22
Monday 21 / 18
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 22 / 19
Monday 21 / 17
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 27 / 22
Monday 22 / 18
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 21 / 19
Monday 22 / 17
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 20 / 17
Monday 21 / 18
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 14 / 11
Monday 21 / 15
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 21 / 19
Monday 22 / 18
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 21
Monday 23 / 18
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 30 / 26
Monday 26 / 21

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, January 2, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics SSW 30-40 SSW 15-25 SSW 10-20 SW 20-30
West North S 35-50 S 20-30 SSW 15-25 S 25-35
West Central SSW 35-50 SSW 25-35 SW 15-25 SW 25-35
West South S 40-55 S 30-40 SSW 10-20 SW 20-30
Stevens Pass SE 20-30 SE 10-20 SSE 5-15 SW 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass SSE 25-35 SE 10-20 SE 5-15 SW 20-30
East North SSE 15-25 S 25-35 S 5-15 SW 15-25
East Central S 30-40 SSW 35-50 S 10-20 WSW 20-30
East South SSW 30-40 SSW 35-50 SW 20-30 WSW 20-30
Mt. Hood SSW 30-40 SW 40-55 SW 30-40 WSW 20-30
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSW 30-40
Sunday Night SSW 15-25
Monday Morning SSW 10-20
Monday Afternoon SW 20-30
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening S 35-50
Sunday Night S 20-30
Monday Morning SSW 15-25
Monday Afternoon S 25-35
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSW 35-50
Sunday Night SSW 25-35
Monday Morning SW 15-25
Monday Afternoon SW 25-35
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening S 40-55
Sunday Night S 30-40
Monday Morning SSW 10-20
Monday Afternoon SW 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SE 20-30
Sunday Night SE 10-20
Monday Morning SSE 5-15
Monday Afternoon SW 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSE 25-35
Sunday Night SE 10-20
Monday Morning SE 5-15
Monday Afternoon SW 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSE 15-25
Sunday Night S 25-35
Monday Morning S 5-15
Monday Afternoon SW 15-25
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening S 30-40
Sunday Night SSW 35-50
Monday Morning S 10-20
Monday Afternoon WSW 20-30
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSW 30-40
Sunday Night SSW 35-50
Monday Morning SW 20-30
Monday Afternoon WSW 20-30
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSW 30-40
Sunday Night SW 40-55
Monday Morning SW 30-40
Monday Afternoon WSW 20-30

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, January 2, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

The active weather continues with a significant frontal system on tap for Wednesday through Thursday with heavy precipitation and a warming trend. This is a system to watch as we head into the middle of next week. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night Wednesday * Wednesday Night* Thursday *
West North 0 0 500' 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass 500' 1000' 2500' 5000'
Mt. Hood 4000' 6000' 7000' 6000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night 0'
Wednesday * 0'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday * 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night 500'
Wednesday * 1000'
Wednesday Night* 2500'
Thursday * 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday * 6000'
Wednesday Night* 7000'
Thursday * 6000'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 2, 2022

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’.