Issued: 2:06 PM PST Sunday, March 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 persistent cold trough continues to dominate our weather pattern with unseasonably cold temperatures. Multiple surface lows dictate the local-scale weather. The primary such low has rotated far enough west off the coast of Washington that it is losing some influence on the region. Another subtle wave with the development of a potential secondary circulation center continues to move northward from Oregon into southern Washington through the evening and overnight hours. Models diverge significantly regarding how organized the precipitation will be, but light E winds appear to enhance the light snowfall slightly more near and east of the Cascade Crest. The band of weakly organized snowfall moves into the central Washington Cascades on Monday focusing on the Wenatchee mountains and areas around Leavenworth with several inches of snow. S winds and another weak wave of moisture move into southern portions of the forecast region with scattered snow showers focusing more on the southern Cascade volcanoes, with moderate snow possible once again for the SE Olympics. Skies should partially clear early Tuesday with isolated snow shower activity developing with daytime heating.

Snow levels vary from sea level to 2500 ft, with offshore E flow raising freezing levels slightly higher for areas just west of the Cascade Crest during dry periods.

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 Occasional light snow.
Monday Mostly cloudy.
Sunday Night Mostly cloudy.
Monday Partly cloudy in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy.
Sunday Night Mostly cloudy.
Monday Periods of light snow develop by the afternoon.
Sunday Night Periods of light to occasionally moderate snow.
Monday Mostly cloudy with light snow showers.
Sunday Night Mostly cloudy. Decreasing light ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Monday Increasing periods of light snow. Light ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Sunday Night Mostly cloudy. Decreasing light ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Monday Light snow at times with partial clearing in the afternoon. Light ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy.
Monday Mostly cloudy in the morning with light snow possibly developing late in the day.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light snow developing overnight (heaviest for the Wenatchee Mountains).
Monday Light snow is heaviest near the mountains of Leavenworth and Wenatchee.
Sunday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow at times.
Monday Periods of light snow or snow showers with sun breaks.
Sunday Night Light snow in the evening likely ends overnight.
Monday Increasing periods of light snow or snow showers.

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Sunday, March 5, 2023

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

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Sunday, March 5, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

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

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Sunday, March 5, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 26 / 16 29 / 16
West North 27 / 19 30 / 17
West Central 25 / 17 29 / 17
West South 27 / 16 31 / 15
Stevens Pass 24 / 16 30 / 16
Snoqualmie Pass 25 / 17 29 / 17
East North 19 / 11 26 / 14
East Central 22 / 16 28 / 16
East South 25 / 17 29 / 18
Mt. Hood 24 / 17 30 / 16
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 26 / 16
Monday 29 / 16
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 27 / 19
Monday 30 / 17
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 25 / 17
Monday 29 / 17
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 27 / 16
Monday 31 / 15
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 16
Monday 30 / 16
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 25 / 17
Monday 29 / 17
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 19 / 11
Monday 26 / 14
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 22 / 16
Monday 28 / 16
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 25 / 17
Monday 29 / 18
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 17
Monday 30 / 16

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Sunday, March 5, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics SE 0-10 SE 0-10 S 0-10 SSE 0-10
West North E 0-10 SSE 0-10 SSE 0-10 S 0-10
West Central ESE 5-15 SE 5-15 SE 5-15 SE 5-15
West South SE 0-10 SSE 0-10 S 0-10 SSW 0-10
Stevens Pass ESE 5-15 ESE 5-15 ESE 5-15 SE 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass ESE 5-15 ESE 0-10 ESE 5-15 SE 5-15
East North ESE 5-15 SSE 0-10 SSE 0-10 S 0-10
East Central ESE 0-10 SE 0-10 SE 0-10 SSE 0-10
East South E 0-10 ESE 0-10 SE 0-10 S 0-10
Mt. Hood WSW 0-10 SW 0-10 SW 10-20 SW 5-15
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SE 0-10
Sunday Night SE 0-10
Monday Morning S 0-10
Monday Afternoon SSE 0-10
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening E 0-10
Sunday Night SSE 0-10
Monday Morning SSE 0-10
Monday Afternoon S 0-10
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening ESE 5-15
Sunday Night SE 5-15
Monday Morning SE 5-15
Monday Afternoon SE 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SE 0-10
Sunday Night SSE 0-10
Monday Morning S 0-10
Monday Afternoon SSW 0-10
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening ESE 5-15
Sunday Night ESE 5-15
Monday Morning ESE 5-15
Monday Afternoon SE 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening ESE 5-15
Sunday Night ESE 0-10
Monday Morning ESE 5-15
Monday Afternoon SE 5-15
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening ESE 5-15
Sunday Night SSE 0-10
Monday Morning SSE 0-10
Monday Afternoon S 0-10
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening ESE 0-10
Sunday Night SE 0-10
Monday Morning SE 0-10
Monday Afternoon SSE 0-10
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening E 0-10
Sunday Night ESE 0-10
Monday Morning SE 0-10
Monday Afternoon S 0-10
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 0-10
Sunday Night SW 0-10
Monday Morning SW 10-20
Monday Afternoon SW 5-15

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Sunday, March 5, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

The cold trough lingers over the area with isolated snow showers Tuesday night and Wednesday. Wednesday night, a stronger low moves south into the offshore waters with more organized increasing light snow showers spreading into the western parts of the forecast region on Thursday.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

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

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

Previous forecast from Mar 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’.