Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Sunday, March 13, 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

The upper trough that pushed inland today bringing snow and wind mainly for the far southern Washington Cascades and the Mt Hood area will exit stage right tonight as a new frontal system takes aim at the region over the next 2 days. 

Warm frontal moisture will lift over the area tonight but precipitation will be on the lighter side until the frontal boundary starts to shift inland on Monday. Even then, most forecast models have slowed but will become a N-S oriented frontal boundary with moderate precipitation focused on higher terrain west of the Cascade crest and the SW slopes of the Olympic range. Heavier precipitation is likely for all areas Monday night as the frontal boundary shifts inland. This looks like it will be a weak atmospheric river, still delivering inches of precipitation to the mountains over the course of 48 hrs, but not the eye-popping precipitation numbers we have experienced several times already this winter. Snow levels won't be as mild either, with the peak warming likely occurring for most areas Monday night along with the heaviest precipitation. Snow levels will peak in the 4500-5000' range for the Olympics and Washington Cascade and 6500' down near Mt Hood. S-SW winds will strong for areas to the west of the Cascade crest on Monday. 

A longwave trough will kick the frontal boundary to the east on Tuesday with significant post-frontal shower activity, brisk westerly winds, and a slow cooling trend. While the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt Hood should see moderate snowfall accumulation, the Mt Baker area and west Central zone may benefit the most from the post-frontal flow. 

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 light rain and snow developing. Ridgeline winds becoming strong.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the late morning, except heavy SW part of the range. Strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight. Ridgeline winds becoming strong.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the late morning. Strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight. Ridgeline winds becoming strong.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the late morning. Strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light rain and snow developing overnight. Ridgeline winds becoming strong.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light rain and snow developing overnight. Light east winds at Pass level.
Monday Light rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Variable winds at Pass level.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight. Light east winds at Pass level.
Monday Light rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Variable winds at Pass level.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight. Light east winds at Pass level.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow mainly near the Cascade crest in the morning, then spreading east in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow mainly in the afternoon and near the Cascade crest.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow mainly in the afternoon and near the Cascade crest.
Sunday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers tapering down in the evening. Light rain and snow redeveloping after midnight. Strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow mainly in the afternoon.

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Sunday, March 13, 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 LT 0.10 0.25 0.25 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.50 0.75 -1.00 0.75 1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.50 0.75 0.50 - 0.75 0.75 -1.00
Stevens Pass 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 0.50 - 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 0.75 0.75
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.75 -1.00 0.75
White Pass LT 0.25 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.50
Washington Pass LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.25 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 0.25 1.00 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Monday Night 0.75
Tuesday 1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday 0.75
Monday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday 0.75 -1.00
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.50
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.50
Monday Night 0.75
Tuesday 0.75
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0.50
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Monday Night 0.75 -1.00
Tuesday 0.75
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0.50
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 1.00
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Tuesday 0.50

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Sunday, March 13, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

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

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Sunday, March 13, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 31 / 27 32 / 30
West North 32 / 27 32 / 27
West Central 32 / 26 33 / 28
West South 31 / 26 34 / 28
Stevens Pass 32 / 26 34 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass 32 / 26 34 / 28
East North 32 / 27 33 / 28
East Central 32 / 27 35 / 28
East South 31 / 27 36 / 28
Mt. Hood 29 / 27 37 / 29
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 31 / 27
Monday 32 / 30
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 27
Monday 32 / 27
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 26
Monday 33 / 28
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 31 / 26
Monday 34 / 28
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 26
Monday 34 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 26
Monday 34 / 28
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 27
Monday 33 / 28
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 27
Monday 35 / 28
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 31 / 27
Monday 36 / 28
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 27
Monday 37 / 29

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Sunday, March 13, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics SW 15-25 SW 20-30 SW 15-25 SW 15-25
West North SSW 20-30 S 20-30 S 15-25 S 20-30
West Central SW 20-30 SW 20-30 SSW 15-25 SW 20-30
West South SW 15-25 SW 20-30 SW 20-30 SW 20-30
Stevens Pass WSW 15-25 WSW 15-25 WSW 10-20 WSW 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass WSW 15-25 WSW 20-30 WSW 15-25 WSW 5-15
East North WSW 15-25 SW 15-25 SW 15-25 SW 10-20
East Central W 20-30 W 20-30 W 15-25 SW 10-20
East South WSW 20-30 WSW 15-25 W 10-20 SW 10-20
Mt. Hood WSW 25-35 WSW 20-30 WSW 15-25 SW 10-20
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SW 15-25
Sunday Night SW 20-30
Monday Morning SW 15-25
Monday Afternoon SW 15-25
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSW 20-30
Sunday Night S 20-30
Monday Morning S 15-25
Monday Afternoon S 20-30
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SW 20-30
Sunday Night SW 20-30
Monday Morning SSW 15-25
Monday Afternoon SW 20-30
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SW 15-25
Sunday Night SW 20-30
Monday Morning SW 20-30
Monday Afternoon SW 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 15-25
Sunday Night WSW 15-25
Monday Morning WSW 10-20
Monday Afternoon WSW 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 15-25
Sunday Night WSW 20-30
Monday Morning WSW 15-25
Monday Afternoon WSW 5-15
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 15-25
Sunday Night SW 15-25
Monday Morning SW 15-25
Monday Afternoon SW 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 20-30
Sunday Night W 20-30
Monday Morning W 15-25
Monday Afternoon SW 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 20-30
Sunday Night WSW 15-25
Monday Morning W 10-20
Monday Afternoon SW 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 25-35
Sunday Night WSW 20-30
Monday Morning WSW 15-25
Monday Afternoon SW 10-20

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Sunday, March 13, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

Showers will gradually wind down Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as an upper level ridge moves toward the area.  A weak front will approach from the west on Thursday, likely glancing the Olympics and northwest Cascades.  

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
West North 2500' 3000' 3000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 3000' 3500' 4000'
Mt. Hood 2500' 3500' 4500' 6500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday 3000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday 3000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday 3500'
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday 6500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 13, 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’.