Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Monday, March 14, 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 radar has begun to light up this afternoon as a slow moving Pacific frontal system eases into the region. Snow levels rose during the day into the 4000-5000' range with many trailheads changing from snow to rain earlier this morning. Snow levels should stay steady through the evening and then will begin to cool early Tuesday morning.  Precipitation intensities will pick up tonight for most areas as the axis of heavier precipitation shifts inland. Mt Hood will see slightly higher snow levels and winds tonight versus areas further north. 

A longwave upper level trough in the NE Pacific will kick this slow moving frontal system out of our region and to the east mid-Tuesday morning. We'll transition to a post-frontal showery pattern and snow levels will slowly fall to around 3000' during the day. Strong westerly ridgeline winds are a signature feature in this pattern. There's likely to be a period of heavy post-frontal snow showers in the West North (Mt Baker area) during the morning. That area of heavier showers should shift into the Cascades of Skagit County during the late morning and with a Puget Sound Convergence likely sticking a bit north of Stevens Pass for the remainder of the day.  Light to occasionally moderate showers are likely elsewhere along the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt Hood, with lighter showers and drier conditions along the east slopes of the Cascades. 

Showers will slowly wind down Tuesday night as winds and showers begin to tail off.  A shortwave ridge will move over the area on Wednesday, likely keeping low level clouds in place near and west of the crest, with potentially sunnier weather further east.  

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
Monday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heavier precipitation other parts of the range. Strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Light to moderate rain and snow showers, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light showers in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Moderate rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate to locally heavy rain and snow showers in the morning, then light to moderate showers in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Moderate rain and snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate to locally heavy rain and snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Moderate rain and snow, heaviest Paradise area. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Light to moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest Paradise area. Strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Moderate rain and snow. Light east winds at Pass level.
Tuesday Moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate to strong westerly winds.
Monday Night Moderate rain and snow. Light east winds at Pass level.
Tuesday Moderate rain and snow showers. Strong westerly winds.
Monday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow.
Tuesday Moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Showers heaviest near the Cascade crest. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Showers heaviest near the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow.
Tuesday Moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Showers heaviest near the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Moderate rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Showers heaviest near the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Monday, March 14, 2022

Precipitation (in)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.75 -1.00 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 1.00 0.75 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 1.00 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Paradise 1.00 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
White Pass 0.75 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.50 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0.75 -1.00 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Timberline 1.00 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.75 -1.00
Tuesday 0.75
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 1.00
Tuesday 0.75
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday LT 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 1.00
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.50
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 1.00
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.75
Tuesday 0.50
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0.50
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.50
Tuesday 0.50
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0.25
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.75 -1.00
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 1.00
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Monday, March 14, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

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

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Monday, March 14, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

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

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Monday, March 14, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Monday, March 14, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

A weak frontal system will brush the area Wednesday night and Thursday, with another system on tap for Friday or Friday night. Temperatures will moderate towards the end of the work week. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night Thursday Thursday Night Friday
West North 2500' 3500' 3000' 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 4500' 4000' 4500'
Mt. Hood 6500' 5500' 4500' 6000'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday 3500'
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday 4500'
Thursday Night 4000'
Friday 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night 6500'
Thursday 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday 6000'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 14, 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’.