Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Friday, March 18, 2022
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

Clouds have already increased this afternoon ahead of our next frontal system. Overnight, expect cloudy and windy conditions for most locations. Precipitation should start to arrive in the mountains mainly after midnight. As the cold front draws closer southerly winds will increase, especially for more wind-prone sites like Hurricane Ridge, Mt Baker, and Mt Hood. The bulk of the precipitation should arrive near or just before sunrise, with plenty of moisture making its way over the Cascade Crest to mountains further east. Initially, the Passes may see rain or a rain-snow mix. However, as the cold front passes overhead, colder air should quickly stream into the area and cause snow levels to drop in the afternoon. This will return snow to most, if not all, of our mountain trailheads. Post frontal showers and a Puget Sound Convergence Zone will maintain snow for the west slopes of the Cascades and Passes as we head into Saturday night. If you happen to be under one of these features, snow may be moderate to heavy at times. 

By Sunday morning, we find ourselves between storms. While a few showers may continue to bring another inch or two of snow to the mountains, most locations will start the day drier. That changes as a weak warm front sweeps into the area Sunday afternoon. Light precipitation and warming temperatures will gradually spread across the Pacific Northwest. Even though temperatures rise slightly, most mountain locations will continue to see snow. 

 

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
Friday Night Cloudy with rain and snow increasing after midnight. Moderate to strong SSW winds.
Saturday Cloudy with scattered showers. Temperatures cooling. Light to moderate WNW winds.
Friday Night Cloudy with rain and snow increasing after midnight. Precipitation could be heavy at times. Strong S winds increasing overnight.
Saturday Moderate rain and snow in the morning, becoming showery in the afternoon. Moderate SSW winds decreasing in the afternoon and becoming W.
Friday Night Cloudy with rain and snow increasing after midnight. Moderate SSW winds increasing and becoming strong.
Saturday Moderate rain and snow in the morning. A Puget Sound Convergence Zone will bring locally heavy precipitation in the afternoon, with showers elsewhere. Moderate SSW winds decreasing and becoming WNW.
Friday Night Cloudy with a few showers after midnight. Moderate SW winds increasing slightly.
Saturday Rain and snow in the morning, with locally heavy showers in the afternoon. Light to moderate WSW winds becoming WNW.
Friday Night Cloudy with a few showers after midnight. Light easterly flow in the Pass, with light SSE ridgeline winds.
Saturday Increasing rain and snow in the morning. Temperatures cooling. Snow at Pass level in the afternoon. Light to moderate WSW winds becoming WNW. A Puget Sound Converger Zone in the afternoon could bring periods of heavier precipitation.
Friday Night Cloudy with a few showers after midnight. Light easterly flow in the Pass, with light SSE ridgeline winds.
Saturday Increasing rain and snow in the morning. Temperatures cooling. Snow at Pass level in the afternoon. Moderate SW winds becoming W. A Puget Sound Converger Zone in the afternoon could bring periods of heavier precipitation.
Friday Night Cloudy with a few isolated showers possible after midnight. Light to moderate southerly winds.
Saturday Cloudy with scattered showers heaviest near the crest. Light SW winds increasing and becoming W in the afternoon.
Friday Night Cloudy with a few isolated showers possible near the crest. SW winds increasing and becoming moderate.
Saturday Cloudy with scattered showers, heaviest near the crest. Moderate WSW winds becoming W and strong.
Friday Night Cloudy. Moderate to strong SW winds increasing overnight.
Saturday Cloudy with a few isolated showers near the crest. Moderate W winds becoming strong WNW.
Friday Night Cloudy with a few showers possible after midnight. Moderate SW winds. Strong and gusty alpine winds.
Saturday Rain and snow increasing in the morning. Becoming heavy at times. Moderate W winds increasing to strong and turning WNW in the afternoon.

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Friday, March 18, 2022

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Friday, March 18, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

Friday Evening* Friday Night* Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics 4500' 4000' 2500' 2000' 1500' 1500' 1500' 3000'
West North 4000' 3500' 3000' 2000' 1500' 1000' 1000' 2500'
West Central 4500' 4000' 3500' 2500' 1500' 1500' 1500' 2500'
West South 4500' 4000' 3500' 2500' 1500' 1500' 1500' 3000'
Stevens Pass 4500' 4000' 3500' 2500' 1500' 1500' 1500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 4500' 4000' 3500' 2500' 2000' 1500' 1500' 3000'
East North 4500' 3500' 3500' 3000' 1000' 1000' 500' 2500'
East Central 5000' 4000' 4000' 3000' 1500' 1000' 1000' 3000'
East South 5000' 4500' 4000' 3000' 1500' 1000' 1000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 5500' 5000' 4500' 3000' 2000' 1500' 1500' 3500'
Olympics Elevation
Friday Evening* 4500'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday Morning 2500'
Saturday Afternoon 2000'
Saturday Evening 1500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
West North Elevation
Friday Evening* 4000'
Friday Night* 3500'
Saturday Morning 3000'
Saturday Afternoon 2000'
Saturday Evening 1500'
Saturday Night 1000'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
West Central Elevation
Friday Evening* 4500'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday Morning 3500'
Saturday Afternoon 2500'
Saturday Evening 1500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
West South Elevation
Friday Evening* 4500'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday Morning 3500'
Saturday Afternoon 2500'
Saturday Evening 1500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening* 4500'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday Morning 3500'
Saturday Afternoon 2500'
Saturday Evening 1500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening* 4500'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday Morning 3500'
Saturday Afternoon 2500'
Saturday Evening 2000'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
East North Elevation
Friday Evening* 4500'
Friday Night* 3500'
Saturday Morning 3500'
Saturday Afternoon 3000'
Saturday Evening 1000'
Saturday Night 1000'
Sunday Morning 500'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
East Central Elevation
Friday Evening* 5000'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 3000'
Saturday Evening 1500'
Saturday Night 1000'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
East South Elevation
Friday Evening* 5000'
Friday Night* 4500'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 3000'
Saturday Evening 1500'
Saturday Night 1000'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening* 5500'
Friday Night* 5000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 3000'
Saturday Evening 2000'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Friday, March 18, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

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

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Friday, March 18, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Friday, March 18, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

The parent low-pressure responsible for Sunday's warm front remains parked in the Gulf of Alaska Sunday night and Monday spinning additional waves of moisture into our region. While none of these weak disturbances appear to bring much in the way of precipitation, it should be enough to maintain showers in the mountains through Monday night. The big story in the long-range forecast will be warming temperatures. A high-pressure ridge starts to grow over the eastern Pacific Monday and shoves its way northward. As it does so noticeably warmer air will slide into the Northwest and send our freezing levels on a steady march upward as we head into the middle of the week. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday *
West North 2000' 3500' 6500' 8000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 4500' 7500' 8500'
Mt. Hood 3000' 5500' 8500' 8500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday 3500'
Monday Night 6500'
Tuesday * 8000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday 4500'
Monday Night 7500'
Tuesday * 8500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday 5500'
Monday Night 8500'
Tuesday * 8500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 18, 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’.