Issued: 2:15 PM PST Sunday, February 5, 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 low center moves east of the Cascades by Monday evening with WNW ridgeline winds and mountain-enhanced rain/snow showers in its wake as weak ridging builds offshore. The ridgeline winds should be in the moderate range near and east of the Cascade Crest with strong winds for Mt. Hood. Rain and snow decreases and becomes showery overnight as cooling brings snow levels back down below Snoqualmie Pass level during the evening hours.

Winds shift to the WSW on Monday as temperatures gradually increase at mid and upper elevations. Increasing moisture spills over the top of the ridge into the west slopes of the Cascades ahead of a stronger frontal system drifting southward down the coast of British Columbia. Snow levels should hover near 3000 ft.

Moderate to heavy rain and snow increase as the moisture-laden frontal boundary moves into NW Washington Monday night, focusing the heavier precipitation on the Olympics and west slopes of the Cascades north of I-90. Snow levels hover between 3000-3500 ft. Moderate to heavy rain and snow will cover the region as the frontal boundary moves through the region from N to S on Tuesday. Mt. Baker could pick up 3" of water equivalent Monday night through Tuesday. Snow levels are likely to be near or just above Snoqualmie Pass through this period, drastically limiting accumulations.

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 A few flurries in the evening, then very light rain and snow showers focusing on the western slopes of the Olympics.
Monday Periods of light rain and snow, mainly on the W slopes of the Olympics.
Sunday Night Decreasing light rain and snow showers.
Monday Light rain and snow.
Sunday Night Light to moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest in convergence (southern part) during the evening hours. Shower activity decreases overnight.
Monday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow.
Sunday Night Decreasing light rain and snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds near the Cascade Crest.
Monday Moderate rain and snow at Paradise with light rain and snow at Crystal and White Pass.
Sunday Night Light to moderate snow showers and convergence in the evening with decreasing light showers overnight. Moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass.
Monday Light to moderate rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline and decreasing light wind at the Pass.
Sunday Night Light to moderate snow showers and convergence in the evening with decreasing light showers overnight. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass.
Monday Moderate rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline and decreasing light to moderate wind at the Pass.
Sunday Night Very light snow showers or flurries near the Cascade Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Periods of light snow, increasing. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Decreasing light rain and snow showers. Moderater ridgeline winds.
Monday Increasing light rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Decreasing light snow showers or flurries near the Cascade Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Mostly cloudy with very light rain or snow possible near the Cascade Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Moderate rain and snow becoming light and showery overnight. Decreasing strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Decreasing light rain and snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds becoming moderate.

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 LT 0.10 0.50 0.75 -1.00
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 0.25 1.00 - 1.50 1.00 - 1.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 1.00
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 1.00 - 1.50
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.50 - 0.75
Paradise 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25 0.50 - 0.75
Washington Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 0.75
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.50 - 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 0 0 0.75
Timberline 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 0.75
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0.50
Tuesday 0.75 -1.00
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Tuesday 1.00 - 1.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday 1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 1.00
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 1.00 - 1.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.75
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.50 - 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0.75
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0.75

Snow Level (ft)

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

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 29 / 25 29 / 26
West North 29 / 23 28 / 24
West Central 29 / 26 29 / 26
West South 29 / 25 29 / 25
Stevens Pass 29 / 26 29 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 29 / 26 29 / 26
East North 29 / 21 30 / 22
East Central 29 / 27 30 / 26
East South 30 / 26 30 / 26
Mt. Hood 30 / 26 30 / 26
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 25
Monday 29 / 26
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 23
Monday 28 / 24
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 26
Monday 29 / 26
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 25
Monday 29 / 25
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 26
Monday 29 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 26
Monday 29 / 26
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 21
Monday 30 / 22
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 27
Monday 30 / 26
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 30 / 26
Monday 30 / 26
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 30 / 26
Monday 30 / 26

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Extended Weather Synopsis

The strong cooling and W flow that started Tuesday afternoon should continue overnight, bringing 24 hours of below-average temperatures. Heavy snowfall tapers to light showers and convergence overnight. Light snow showers decrease or end from south to north with weak ridging allowing for a gradual increase in temperatures on Wednesday. A warm front may clip the Olympics for some light rain or snow Wednesday night. Most models keep the ridge over the area through Thursday with a mainly dry solution, but there's a chance that a trough and active weather return on Thursday.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
West North 2000' 1500' 1500' 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 1500' 2000' 2500'
Mt. Hood 2500' 2000' 2500' 5000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night 2000'
Wednesday 1500'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night 2000'
Wednesday 1500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday 2000'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday 5000'

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

Previous forecast from Feb 5, 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’.