Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis
A long-duration and intense winter storm will impact the Pacific Northwest through Friday. The culprit will be a low tracking toward Heida Gwaii with a very strong warm front that has already spread heavy snowfall into the Oregon and southern Washington Cascades.
The board precipitation shield should lift northward with the slow-moving warm front Wednesday night, bringing increasing heavy to very heavy snowfall to most of the region. The most intense snowfall should focus on southwest Washington, however, warming will occur more rapidly for Mt. Hood, the southern Cascades Volcanoes, and the Olympics. This should limit snow accumulations at lower elevations. Easterly flow peaks in the moderate range Wednesday night, keeping the passes quite cold.
The front stalls over Washington State on Thursday morning. A secondary low forms to the SW of the original maintaining heavy precipitation and even increasing WSW winds on Thursday afternoon. Things could get very messy in the central Cascades Passes. Stevens Pass could see a period of mixed precipitation and potentially rain just west of the Pass. Snoqualmie should experience snowfall that transitions to mixed precipitation as warm air over-runs colder air funneling through the gaps on an E gradient. There will be quite a battle between these opposing wind directions that could result in several changes in precipitation type during the event.
As the new low heads toward the mouth of the Columbia River by Friday morning, SW winds peak over the mountains of Washington State Friday evening as heavy rain and snow continues across the region. Snow levels should generally be above Snoqualmie Pass level with rain now expected at the Pass.
The low and a cold front cross the Cascades on Friday, bringing a shift to WNW flow, cooling temperatures west of the Cascade Crest, and more showery or convergence style precipitation by the afternoon.
This storm will be a very major snow producer, notably for locations east of the Cascade Crest where temperatures stay colder where many locations down to low elevations could see two feet of snow.
Weather Forecast
| Wednesday Night | Increasing moderate to heavy snow with a changeover to rain at lower elevations. Increasing ridgeline winds with strong gusts. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. |
| Wednesday Night | Light snow in the evening, becoming moderate to heavy overnight. Snowfall heaviest in Newhalem area. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Moderate rain and snow, heavier in the southern part of the zone. |
| Wednesday Night | Increasing light to moderate snow in the evening becoming heavy to very heavy overnight. Lower elevation locations away from the Cascade Crest changeover to rain. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Heavy to very heavy rain and snow with rising snow levels. |
| Wednesday Night | Heavy snow becoming very heavy overnight at Paradise and White Pass. Moderate to heavy snow at Crystal. Lower elevation locations away from the Cascade Crest changeover to rain. Strong ridgeline winds with extreme gusts developing overnight, particularly in the Crystal area. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Decreasing heavy rain and snow at Paradise and White Pass; heavy rain and snow at Crystal. Strong ridgeline winds with extreme gusts. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate snow in the evening becoming very heavy overnight. Moderate E winds at the Pass with strong gusts. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Decreasing very heavy snow, mixing with rain west of the Cascade Crest. Decreasing light winds at the Pass, potentially switching W in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Moderate snow in the evening becoming very heavy overnight. Increasing light to moderate E wind at the Pass. Moderate E winds at the Pass with strong gusts. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Decreasing very heavy snow, possibly changing to a wintry mix or all rain. Strong ridgeline wind gusts in the afternoon. Decreasing light winds at the Pass, potentially switching W in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Light snow in the evening becoming heavy overnight. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Heavy snow. |
| Wednesday Night | Moderate snow becoming heavy to very heavy overnight. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Decreasing very heavy rain and snow. Increasing strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Increasing heavy snow. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Decreasing heavy rain and snow becoming moderate later in the day. |
| Wednesday Night | Heavy snowfall changing to rain at lower elevations as snow levels rise rapidly. Increasing strong to extreme ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Very heavy rain and snow in the morning becoming light in the afternoon. Increasing strong to extreme ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 5:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 5, 2022
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 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 2.00 - 2.50 | 2.00 - 2.50 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.50 | 2.00 - 2.50 | 1.50 | 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.50 - 2.00 | 2.50 | 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 |
| Paradise | 2.00 - 2.50 | 3.00 - 4.00 | 2.00 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | 1.50 - 2.00 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | 0.75 -1.00 | 1.00 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 1.50 | 2.00 - 2.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 1.50 | 1.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.75 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Thursday | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Thursday Night | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Friday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 |
| Thursday | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Thursday Night | 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Thursday | 2.50 |
| Thursday Night | 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Paradise | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Thursday | 3.00 - 4.00 |
| Thursday Night | 2.00 |
| Friday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Thursday | 2.00 |
| Thursday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Thursday | 1.00 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 |
| Thursday | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Thursday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 |
| Thursday | 1.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Thursday | 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Thursday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
Issued: 5:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Snow Level (ft)
| Wednesday Evening* | Wednesday Night* | Thursday Morning* | Thursday Afternoon* | Thursday Evening* | Thursday Night | Friday Morning | Friday Afternoon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 500' | 2000' | 5000' | 5000' | 4500' | 4500' | 4000' | 3000' |
| West North | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' |
| West Central | 500' | 0 | 500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 3500' | 3000' |
| West South | 1500' | 2000' | 4000' | 5000' | 5000' | 4000' | 4000' | 3500' |
| Stevens Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 500' | 0 | 500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 3500' |
| East North | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' |
| East Central | 500' | 0 | 500' | 3000' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' |
| East South | 1500' | 1500' | 4000' | 5500' | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | 4000' | 6000' | 7000' | 5500' | 5000' | 4500' | 4500' | 3500' |
| Olympics | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 500' |
| Wednesday Night* | 2000' |
| Thursday Morning* | 5000' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 4500' |
| Thursday Night | 4500' |
| Friday Morning | 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon | 3000' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 0' |
| Wednesday Night* | 0' |
| Thursday Morning* | 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 3000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 3500' |
| Thursday Night | 3500' |
| Friday Morning | 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon | 3000' |
| West Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 500' |
| Wednesday Night* | 0' |
| Thursday Morning* | 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 4000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 4500' |
| Thursday Night | 4500' |
| Friday Morning | 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon | 3000' |
| West South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 1500' |
| Wednesday Night* | 2000' |
| Thursday Morning* | 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 5000' |
| Thursday Night | 4000' |
| Friday Morning | 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon | 3500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 0' |
| Wednesday Night* | 0' |
| Thursday Morning* | 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 3000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 3500' |
| Thursday Night | 4000' |
| Friday Morning | 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon | 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 500' |
| Wednesday Night* | 0' |
| Thursday Morning* | 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 3500' |
| Thursday Evening* | 4000' |
| Thursday Night | 4000' |
| Friday Morning | 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon | 3500' |
| East North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 0' |
| Wednesday Night* | 0' |
| Thursday Morning* | 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 2500' |
| Thursday Evening* | 3500' |
| Thursday Night | 3000' |
| Friday Morning | 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon | 3500' |
| East Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 500' |
| Wednesday Night* | 0' |
| Thursday Morning* | 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 3000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 3500' |
| Thursday Night | 3000' |
| Friday Morning | 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon | 3500' |
| East South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 1500' |
| Wednesday Night* | 1500' |
| Thursday Morning* | 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5500' |
| Thursday Evening* | 5000' |
| Thursday Night | 4500' |
| Friday Morning | 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 6000' |
| Thursday Morning* | 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5500' |
| Thursday Evening* | 5000' |
| Thursday Night | 4500' |
| Friday Morning | 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon | 3500' |
Issued: 5:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 5, 2022
5000' Temperatures (°F)
| Wednesday Night | Thursday | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Max / Min | Max / Min | ||
| Olympics | 34 / 23 | 34 / 32 | |
| West North | 29 / 17 | 32 / 30 | |
| West Central | 26 / 18 | 32 / 28 | |
| West South | 35 / 23 | 34 / 32 | |
| Stevens Pass | 20 / 15 | 32 / 21 | |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 24 / 17 | 32 / 26 | |
| East North | 12 / 10 | 32 / 13 | |
| East Central | 22 / 16 | 32 / 24 | |
| East South | 34 / 20 | 34 / 33 | |
| Mt. Hood | 37 / 32 | 36 / 34 |
| Olympics | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 34 / 23 |
| Thursday | 34 / 32 |
| West North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 29 / 17 |
| Thursday | 32 / 30 |
| West Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 26 / 18 |
| Thursday | 32 / 28 |
| West South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 35 / 23 |
| Thursday | 34 / 32 |
| Stevens Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 20 / 15 |
| Thursday | 32 / 21 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 24 / 17 |
| Thursday | 32 / 26 |
| East North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 12 / 10 |
| Thursday | 32 / 13 |
| East Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 22 / 16 |
| Thursday | 32 / 24 |
| East South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 34 / 20 |
| Thursday | 34 / 33 |
| Mt. Hood | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 37 / 32 |
| Thursday | 36 / 34 |
Issued: 5:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
| Wednesday Evening | Wednesday Night | Thursday Morning | Thursday Afternoon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | SSW 15-25 | SW 20-30 | WSW 20-30 | SW 25-35 |
| West North | SE 5-15 | SSW 10-20 | SW 15-25 | SW 20-30 |
| West Central | SE 10-20 | SSE 10-20 | SW 15-25 | SW 15-25 |
| West South | SSW 10-20 | WSW 30-40 | WSW 20-30 | WSW 30-40 |
| Stevens Pass | SE 10-20 | SSE 5-15 | WSW 10-20 | WSW 15-25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | SE 10-20 | S 10-20 | WSW 15-25 | WSW 20-30 |
| East North | SE 5-15 | SSE 5-15 | SW 10-20 | SW 15-25 |
| East Central | S 10-20 | SW 15-25 | WSW 25-35 | WSW 25-35 |
| East South | S 5-15 | WSW 25-35 | WSW 30-40 | WSW 30-40 |
| Mt. Hood | WSW 30-40 | WSW 35-50 | WSW 35-50 | WSW 40-55 |
| Olympics | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SSW 15-25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 20-30 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20-30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 25-35 |
| West North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SE 5-15 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10-20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15-25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 20-30 |
| West Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SE 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 10-20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15-25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15-25 |
| West South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SSW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30-40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20-30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 30-40 |
| Stevens Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SE 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 5-15 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 10-20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 15-25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SE 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | S 10-20 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 15-25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 20-30 |
| East North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SE 5-15 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 5-15 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10-20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15-25 |
| East Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | S 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15-25 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 25-35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 25-35 |
| East South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | S 5-15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 25-35 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 30-40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 30-40 |
| Mt. Hood | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 30-40 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 35-50 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 35-50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 40-55 |
Issued: 5:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Extended Weather Synopsis
Light snow showers gradually decrease under WNW as temperatures drop to below seasonal norms Friday night and Saturday. Very light snow shower activity could continue Saturday night as an offshore ridge builds into the region. The ridge should bring dry and sunny weather on Sunday with milder temperatures.
Extended Snow Level (ft)
| Friday Night | Saturday | Saturday Night | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West North | 0 | 500' | 1000' | 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 3000' |
| Mt. Hood | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 4000' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0' |
| Saturday | 500' |
| Saturday Night | 1000' |
| Sunday | 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 1000' |
| Saturday | 1500' |
| Saturday Night | 1500' |
| Sunday | 3000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 2000' |
| Saturday | 2000' |
| Saturday Night | 2500' |
| Sunday | 4000' |
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Jan 5, 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.