Issued: 2:14 PM PST Monday, January 30, 2023
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

A flattening offshore ridge begins allowing limited amounts of moisture to spill over the top and into our region Monday night through Wednesday. As more mild air moves in off the Pacific Ocean, expect a sustained warming trend and a slow erosion of the cold air pool east of the Cascades.

High clouds moved into the region Monday afternoon and signal the shift in the weather. A very weak disturbance passes north of our region Monday night, bringing a chance of very light snow for the Mt. Baker area. The tail end of a weak warm front arrives Tuesday morning with a slightly higher chance of light snow for the northern Cascades. The front stalls over the region Tuesday night and Wednesday with additional chances for very light snow amounts for Mt. Baker and perhaps the mountain loop, Washington Pass, and the Olympics.

Westerly ridgeline winds increase for the east slopes of the Cascades Monday night from north to south and remain steady light to moderate range. Mt Hood can expect moderate winds to develop late Monday night and Tuesday. The westerly wind should inhibit the east flow on Tuesday even though the pressure gradient favors the easterly flow. However, by Wednesday an approaching offshore flow will allow low-level east winds to redevelop through the mountain gaps.

By Wednesday afternoon as the ridge moves onshore, expect afternoon highs to be near seasonal norms (even above seasonal norms for Mt. Hood).

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 Cloudy.
Tuesday Cloudy.
Monday Night Cloudy with a chance of very light snow overnight.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with a chance of very light snow.
Monday Night Cloudy.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of very light snow.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with clouds decreasing in the afternoon.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Light ridgeline and E or variable wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy. Light ridgeline and variable wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy. Light ridgeline and E or variable wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy. Light ridgeline and variable wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with a few flurries possible overnight.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with a few flurries possible.
Monday Night Partly to mostly cloudy.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy.
Monday Night Partly to mostly cloudy.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy.
Monday Night Increasing clouds and milder with a low-level inversion.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy.

Issued: 2:14 PM PST Monday, January 30, 2023

Precipitation (in)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass 0 0 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0 0 0
Crystal Mt 0 0 0 0
Paradise 0 0 0 0
White Pass 0 0 0 0
Washington Pass 0 0 0 0
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 0 0 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0 0 0
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0 0 0
Timberline 0 0 0 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0

Issued: 2:14 PM PST Monday, January 30, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening* Monday Night* Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon*
Olympics 2000' 1500' 1500' 2500' 2500' 2500' 1500' 3000'
West North 1000' 0 0 500' 1500' 1000' 1000' 2500'
West Central 1000' 500' 0 1000' 1500' 1000' 1500' 3000'
West South 1500' 1000' 1000' 3000' 2500' 1500' 2000' 4500'
Stevens Pass 500' 0 0 2000' 1500' 1000' 1000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 1000' 500' 500' 2000' 2000' 1000' 1500' 3500'
East North 0 0 0 1500' 1500' 500' 1000' 3500'
East Central 500' 0 0 2000' 1500' 1000' 1000' 3500'
East South 1000' 500' 500' 3000' 2500' 2000' 2000' 4500'
Mt. Hood 1500' 2500' 2500' 5000' 4500' 3500' 4000' 6500'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening* 2000'
Monday Night* 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening* 2500'
Tuesday Night* 2500'
Wednesday Morning* 1500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening* 1000'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 500'
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2500'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 1000'
Monday Night* 500'
Tuesday Morning 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 1000'
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening* 1500'
Monday Night* 1000'
Tuesday Morning 1000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
Tuesday Evening* 2500'
Tuesday Night* 1500'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 1000'
Monday Night* 500'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening* 0'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 1500'
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 500'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening* 1000'
Monday Night* 500'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
Tuesday Evening* 2500'
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening* 1500'
Monday Night* 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon 5000'
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday Morning* 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 6500'

Issued: 2:14 PM PST Monday, January 30, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 27 / 24 31 / 24
West North 20 / 17 24 / 19
West Central 20 / 16 26 / 19
West South 23 / 19 34 / 19
Stevens Pass 19 / 17 29 / 18
Snoqualmie Pass 20 / 17 29 / 18
East North 19 / 15 30 / 19
East Central 22 / 18 32 / 21
East South 27 / 20 36 / 24
Mt. Hood 31 / 25 39 / 31
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 27 / 24
Tuesday 31 / 24
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 20 / 17
Tuesday 24 / 19
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 20 / 16
Tuesday 26 / 19
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 23 / 19
Tuesday 34 / 19
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 19 / 17
Tuesday 29 / 18
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 20 / 17
Tuesday 29 / 18
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 19 / 15
Tuesday 30 / 19
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 22 / 18
Tuesday 32 / 21
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 27 / 20
Tuesday 36 / 24
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 31 / 25
Tuesday 39 / 31

Issued: 2:14 PM PST Monday, January 30, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:14 PM PST Monday, January 30, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

The warm frontal feature brushing the area on Wednesday drifts north of the Canadian border Wednesday night as a low develops off the coast and amplifies the ridge over the region. Expect mild temperatures and dry weather on Thursday. The frontal system weakens and attenuates slightly as it moves into the nearshore waters. Light rain and snow spread into our region Thursday night with cooling temperatures. Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow peak on Friday, tapering to light showers on a westerly flow behind the front.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night* Thursday * Thursday Night* Friday
West North 2000' 4500' 5000' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 4000' 4000' 2500'
Mt. Hood 4500' 5500' 5000' 3000'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night* 2000'
Thursday * 4500'
Thursday Night* 5000'
Friday 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night* 2500'
Thursday * 4000'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night* 4500'
Thursday * 5500'
Thursday Night* 5000'
Friday 3000'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 30, 2023

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’.