Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Tuesday, March 22, 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

Strong upper level ridging has slowly edged out the drippy leftover warm frontal moisture that plagued parts of the region this morning. As the ridge has taken control, mountain temperatures have soared into the 40s and even a few 50s this afternoon. A mix of low and high clouds across the northern portion of the forecast area this afternoon transitions to partly to mostly sunny with areas of low clouds down near Mt. Hood. 

A frontal system will approach from the west overnight, spreading high clouds inland after midnight. Snow levels will stay elevated through Tuesday mid-day with the cold front passing through the Cascades mid to late afternoon. This system won't pack much of punch moisture-wise, but will quickly lower snow levels and bring a period of strong post-frontal westerly winds later Wednesday afternoon through evening. The Mt Baker area to Snoqualmie Pass along the west slopes of the Cascades should pick up several inches of snow above 4000' through Wednesday night with lower snowfall amounts likely elsewhere. A brief period of convergence is likely in the central Cascades late Wednesday afternoon and evening. 

Unlike many of our convergence zones, precipitation and winds look to taper off quickly Wednesday night. Upper-level ridging will quickly build over the area on Thursday.  After a cool night, freezing levels and temperatures will quickly moderate on Thursday. Thursday should be a fair weather day with periods of high clouds passing overhead. 

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 Partly to mostly cloudy, then increasing high clouds after midnight.
Wednesday Light rain and snow developing in the morning, then becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Partly to mostly cloudy, then increasing high clouds after midnight. Ridgeline winds becoming strong after midnight.
Wednesday Light rain and snow developing in the late morning, then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear with areas of low clouds in the evening, then increasing high clouds after midnight.
Wednesday Cloudy with light rain and snow developing mid-day, then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear with areas of low clouds in the evening, then increasing high clouds after midnight.
Wednesday Cloudy in the morning, then light rain and snow developing in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Partly to mostly cloudy, then increasing high clouds after midnight. Light east winds at Pass level.
Wednesday Cloudy with light rain and snow developing mid-day, then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy with areas of low clouds in the evening, then increasing high clouds after midnight. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level.
Wednesday Cloudy with light rain and snow developing mid-day, then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Partly to mostly cloudy, then increasing high clouds after midnight.
Wednesday Cloudy. Light rain and snow developing near the Cascade crest in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy with areas of low clouds, then increasing high clouds late tonight.
Wednesday Cloudy. Light rain and snow developing near the Cascade crest in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear. Increasing high clouds late.
Wednesday Cloudy. Light rain and snow developing near the Cascade crest in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear. Increasing high clouds late.
Wednesday Cloudy. Light rain and snow developing late in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds becoming strong midday.

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics 9000' 7500' 6000' 4500' 3500' 3000' 3000' 5000'
West North 8500' 7000' 6500' 4500' 3500' 2000' 3000' 5000'
West Central 9000' 8000' 7000' 5000' 3500' 2000' 3500' 5500'
West South 9500' 8500' 7500' 6000' 3500' 2500' 5000' 7500'
Stevens Pass 9000' 8000' 7500' 5500' 3500' 2000' 3500' 5500'
Snoqualmie Pass 9000' 8500' 7500' 5500' 3500' 2500' 3500' 5500'
East North 8500' 8000' 6000' 6500' 3500' 2000' 3000' 6000'
East Central 9000' 8500' 8000' 7000' 3500' 2000' 3000' 6000'
East South 9500' 8500' 7500' 7500' 4500' 3000' 4000' 6500'
Mt. Hood 9500' 9000' 8500' 7000' 6500' 5500' 7500' 9000'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Evening 9000'
Tuesday Night 7500'
Wednesday Morning 6000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Evening 8500'
Tuesday Night 7000'
Wednesday Morning 6500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening 9000'
Tuesday Night 8000'
Wednesday Morning 7000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Evening 9500'
Tuesday Night 8500'
Wednesday Morning 7500'
Wednesday Afternoon 6000'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 7500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening 9000'
Tuesday Night 8000'
Wednesday Morning 7500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening 9000'
Tuesday Night 8500'
Wednesday Morning 7500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Evening 8500'
Tuesday Night 8000'
Wednesday Morning 6000'
Wednesday Afternoon 6500'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 6000'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening 9000'
Tuesday Night 8500'
Wednesday Morning 8000'
Wednesday Afternoon 7000'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 6000'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Evening 9500'
Tuesday Night 8500'
Wednesday Morning 7500'
Wednesday Afternoon 7500'
Wednesday Evening 4500'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening 9500'
Tuesday Night 9000'
Wednesday Morning 8500'
Wednesday Afternoon 7000'
Wednesday Evening 6500'
Wednesday Night 5500'
Thursday Morning 7500'
Thursday Afternoon 9000'

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Tuesday, March 22, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 42 / 35 34 / 30
West North 41 / 38 38 / 30
West Central 42 / 37 38 / 30
West South 47 / 38 42 / 35
Stevens Pass 42 / 35 41 / 32
Snoqualmie Pass 40 / 36 38 / 33
East North 38 / 35 42 / 35
East Central 42 / 36 41 / 35
East South 45 / 37 43 / 34
Mt. Hood 48 / 41 42 / 35
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 42 / 35
Wednesday 34 / 30
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 41 / 38
Wednesday 38 / 30
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 42 / 37
Wednesday 38 / 30
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 47 / 38
Wednesday 42 / 35
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 42 / 35
Wednesday 41 / 32
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 40 / 36
Wednesday 38 / 33
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 38 / 35
Wednesday 42 / 35
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 42 / 36
Wednesday 41 / 35
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 45 / 37
Wednesday 43 / 34
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 48 / 41
Wednesday 42 / 35

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

The upper level ridge will shift inland Thursday night but hold its position more or less through Saturday.  A weak frontal system will fail to dislodge the upper level ridge over the inland West on Friday, but we're likely to see a fair amount of cloud cover over the region and perhaps a few light rain sprinkles or snow flurries along the Olympic Mountains.  Most forecast models suggest this pattern will hold through Saturday, with light precipitation and cooler snow levels over the northwest Cascades and Olympics, and fewer clouds and warmer conditions further south and east.  

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night Friday Friday Night Saturday
West North 6500' 5000' 5000' 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass 6500' 6000' 6500' 6500'
Mt. Hood 7500' 7500' 7000' 8000'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night 6500'
Friday 5000'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night 6500'
Friday 6000'
Friday Night 6500'
Saturday 6500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night 7500'
Friday 7500'
Friday Night 7000'
Saturday 8000'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 21, 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’.