Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Friday, March 24, 2023
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

Widespread snow shower activity this afternoon will continue overnight with several more inches of snow accumulating in the Olympics, west slopes of the Cascades and Passes and the Mt Hood area. Locally higher snowfall totals, 5-10", are more likely for the Mt Hood area and in heavier banding around a Puget Sound Convergence Zone. The Convergence Zone should drift from Whatcom/Skagit/Snohomish Counties this afternoon and southward Friday evening into King County before weakening late tonight. During heavier showers, 1-2" snowfall rates are possible. Moderate to strong westerly ridgeline winds will slowly decrease overnight. With an unseasonably cold upper level trough overhead, we'll see low snow levels, especially for late March, and overnight mountain low temperatures falling into in the teens/low twenties.  

On Saturday, we should see mostly cloudy skies and a few scattered snow showers. A few sunbreaks are possible, with more sunshine along the east slopes of the Cascades in the morning/mid-day before clouds begin to build again and showers increase again in the afternoon. Saturday's showers don't look as heavy or widespread as Friday, but scattered mountain showers will persist into the evening before tapering off Saturday night. 

Sunday should feature more of the same; cooler than normal temperatures, morning/mid-day sun breaks and isolated/scattered afternoon/evening snow showers.  

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 Mostly cloudy with light snow to occasionally moderate showers. Showers becoming scattered after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers in the morning, then cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers in the morning, then cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.
Friday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Showers may become heavy at times. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers in the morning, then cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers in the morning, then cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.
Friday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Showers may become heavy at times. Moderate W Pass level and ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers in the morning, then cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.
Friday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Showers may become heavy at times. Moderate to strong W Pass level and ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers in the morning, then cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers near the Cascade crest, partly cloudy further east.
Saturday Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers near the crest in the morning, then mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers near the Cascade crest, partly cloudy further east. Locally light to moderate snow showers downwind of the convergence zone. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers near the crest in the morning, then mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers near the Cascade crest, partly cloudy further east. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers near the crest in the morning, then mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers in the morning, then cloudy with scattered snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Friday, March 24, 2023

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

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Friday, March 24, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

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

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Friday, March 24, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Friday Night Saturday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 23 / 17 27 / 17
West North 23 / 18 27 / 19
West Central 22 / 20 27 / 19
West South 22 / 18 28 / 17
Stevens Pass 22 / 20 28 / 19
Snoqualmie Pass 22 / 19 27 / 18
East North 23 / 16 29 / 17
East Central 22 / 18 29 / 17
East South 22 / 17 29 / 17
Mt. Hood 22 / 17 28 / 17
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 23 / 17
Saturday 27 / 17
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 23 / 18
Saturday 27 / 19
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 22 / 20
Saturday 27 / 19
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 22 / 18
Saturday 28 / 17
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 22 / 20
Saturday 28 / 19
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 22 / 19
Saturday 27 / 18
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 23 / 16
Saturday 29 / 17
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 22 / 18
Saturday 29 / 17
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 22 / 17
Saturday 29 / 17
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 22 / 17
Saturday 28 / 17

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Friday, March 24, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Friday, March 24, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

The upper level flow will begin to split as the next upper level low digs off the California coast early next week. This should leave the PNW in a quieter weather pattern. We'll see a slight chance of showers during afternoon hours as clouds build-up along with slowly moderating temperatures. There's uncertainty if the Mt Hood area will be clipped with more clouds/showers rotating up from the low parked off the Caifornia coast during this stretch. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
West North 1000' 4000' 2000' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 1500' 4500' 2000' 4500'
Mt. Hood 1500' 4500' 2000' 4000'
West North Elevation
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday 4000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday 4500'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday 4500'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday 4000'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 24, 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’.