Issued: 2:10 PM PST Tuesday, March 1, 2022
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

SW winds maintain unseasonably mild air across the region as rain and snow shower activity continues following the Sunday-Monday atmospheric river event. Temperatures are in the 30s and 40s Tuesday afternoon at all NWAC weather stations below 7000 ft. An upper-level trough gradually progresses toward the Pacific Northwest coastline, bringing very slow cooling, but little shift in the SW flow pattern with decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds through Wednesday night. Most of the region will continue to experience light to occasionally moderate showers that could be convective with graupel at upper elevations in the afternoons. Shower activity generally trends lighter with time.

A stalled boundary continues to feed slightly more moisture into Oregon. A wave riding along this boundary could bring a period of moderate rain and high elevation snow shower activity to Mt Hood and the southern Washington volcanoes late Tuesday night into early Wednesday. Snowfall doesn't re-enter the picture on most ski area slopes until Wednesday night when snow levels drop to 3500-4500 ft, with the most cooling in areas of northern and western Washington.

The upper trough reaches our region Thursday morning and should bring light flurries and increasing sunshine. Further cooling lowers snow levels to elevations typical for early March.

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 Light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Light rain and snow showers.
Tuesday Night Light to moderate rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Light to moderate rain and snow showers.
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers.
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest at Paradise.
Wednesday Light rain and snow showers.
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Light W or variable wind at the Pass.
Wednesday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Light W or variable wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Light W or variable wind at the Pass.
Wednesday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Light W or variable wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Light rain and snow showers.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Light rain and snow showers.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Light rain and snow showers.
Tuesday Night Moderate rain and high elevation snow showers with a cooling trend overnight.
Wednesday Decreasing light rain and snow showers.

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Tuesday, March 1, 2022

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

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3000' 2500' 2500'
West North 4500' 4500' 4000' 3500' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3000'
West Central 5000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3000'
West South 5500' 4500' 4500' 5000' 4500' 3500' 3000' 3500'
Stevens Pass 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3500'
East North 4500' 3500' 4000' 4500' 4500' 3500' 3000' 3500'
East Central 5500' 4500' 4500' 5000' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3500'
East South 5500' 5000' 4500' 5000' 5000' 4000' 4000' 3500'
Mt. Hood 6500' 6000' 5500' 5500' 5000' 4500' 3500' 3500'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Evening 4500'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 2500'
Thursday Afternoon 2500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Evening 4500'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 3500'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening 5000'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Evening 5500'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Wednesday Evening 4500'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening 5000'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening 5000'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Evening 4500'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 4500'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening 5500'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Wednesday Evening 4500'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Evening 5500'
Tuesday Night 5000'
Wednesday Morning 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening 6500'
Tuesday Night 6000'
Wednesday Morning 5500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Tuesday, March 1, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 33 / 31 32 / 30
West North 33 / 31 32 / 30
West Central 34 / 31 33 / 31
West South 35 / 33 34 / 32
Stevens Pass 34 / 32 33 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 35 / 32 34 / 31
East North 33 / 28 32 / 28
East Central 35 / 31 34 / 30
East South 35 / 31 34 / 30
Mt. Hood 37 / 33 36 / 32
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 33 / 31
Wednesday 32 / 30
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 33 / 31
Wednesday 32 / 30
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 34 / 31
Wednesday 33 / 31
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 35 / 33
Wednesday 34 / 32
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 34 / 32
Wednesday 33 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 35 / 32
Wednesday 34 / 31
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 33 / 28
Wednesday 32 / 28
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 35 / 31
Wednesday 34 / 30
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 35 / 31
Wednesday 34 / 30
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 37 / 33
Wednesday 36 / 32

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics SW 10-20 SSW 10-20 SSW 5-15 SSW 5-15
West North SSW 10-20 SSW 15-25 SSW 5-15 SSW 0-10
West Central SW 5-15 SSW 15-25 SSW 5-15 SW 5-15
West South WSW 10-20 SW 5-15 SSW 5-15 SW 5-15
Stevens Pass WSW 10-20 SW 5-15 SSW 0-10 SW 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass WSW 15-25 SW 5-15 SSW 5-15 SW 5-15
East North WSW 10-20 SW 5-15 SSW 0-10 SW 0-10
East Central WSW 10-20 WSW 5-15 SSW 5-15 SW 0-10
East South WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20 SW 5-15 SW 0-10
Mt. Hood WSW 15-25 WSW 15-25 W 10-20 WSW 5-15
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 10-20
Tuesday Night SSW 10-20
Wednesday Morning SSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SSW 10-20
Tuesday Night SSW 15-25
Wednesday Morning SSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 0-10
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 5-15
Tuesday Night SSW 15-25
Wednesday Morning SSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SW 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 10-20
Tuesday Night SW 5-15
Wednesday Morning SSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SW 5-15
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 10-20
Tuesday Night SW 5-15
Wednesday Morning SSW 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon SW 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 15-25
Tuesday Night SW 5-15
Wednesday Morning SSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SW 5-15
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 10-20
Tuesday Night SW 5-15
Wednesday Morning SSW 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon SW 0-10
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 10-20
Tuesday Night WSW 5-15
Wednesday Morning SSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SW 0-10
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 10-20
Tuesday Night WSW 10-20
Wednesday Morning SW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SW 0-10
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 15-25
Tuesday Night WSW 15-25
Wednesday Morning W 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 5-15

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

The trough slides east of the region Thursday night and drying northerly flow develops as we head into the weekend. Expect more clear sky than clouds, however weak disturbances passing down the coast could bring some clouds or light snow showers into the region at times. Temperatures remain typical for early March through Saturday.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night Friday Friday Night Saturday
West North 3000' 3000' 2500' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 3500' 3000' 3500'
Mt. Hood 3500' 3500' 4000' 3500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 3000'
Friday Night 2500'
Saturday 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday 3500'
Friday Night 3000'
Saturday 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday 3500'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday 3500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 1, 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’.