Snow showers are starting to pop up over the mountains this afternoon, driven by daytime heating and a cool unstable air mass overhead. While most showers will be light, we may see locally more moderate showers near the southern volcanoes like Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens. Showers will dissipate overnight and skies will begin to clear in the evening. An upper low dropping south along our coastline will spread some mid and high-level clouds over the Olympics, south Washington Cascades and Mt Hood area later tonight. Clearer conditions will prevail further north.
On Monday, that low pressure system now off the northern Californian coast will deepen and spread increasing high clouds further north. We should see a high overcast in the Mt Hood area, and filtered sunshine for the south Washington Cascades transitioning to mostly sunny skies for the central and especially northern Cascades. There's just enough instability in the north Cascades that we may see an isolated afternoon shower, otherwise we can expect a dry day. The other main story will be increasing E-SE winds over the region. The strongest winds will develop over the Mt Hood area and north to Snoqualmie Pass in the afternoon hours. Afternoon highs will be several degrees warmer on Monday than Sunday.
On Monday night and Tuesday, light to moderate precipitation from the same system will spread into Mt Hood first on Monday night, and eventually light precipitation in the south Washington Cascades during the day Tuesday. E-SE ridgeline winds will affect all areas during this period and may become extreme for areas like Mt. Hood, Crystal Mt, White Pass and Snoqualmie Pass. On Tuesday, while even the north Cascades should be breezy, they should see more sunshine and warmer temperatures than areas closer to the low and further south.
258 pm update: fixed typo in the synopsis
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
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the early evening, then partly to mostly cloudy overnight.
Monday
Partly to mostly sunny with periods of high clouds.
Sunday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the early evening, then mostly clear.
Monday
Mostly sunny with a few high clouds late in the day.
Sunday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the early evening, then mostly clear.
Monday
Mostly sunny. Passing high clouds in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds developing in the afternoon.
Sunday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the early evening, especially Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens. Becoming partly cloudy after midnight.
Monday
Mostly sunny in the morning with a few high clouds, becoming partly to mostly cloudy with high clouds and filtered sunshine in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds developing in the afternoon.
Sunday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the early evening, then mostly clear. Light W winds at Pass level and ridgeline becoming light E after midnight.
Monday
Mostly sunny. Passing high clouds in the afternoon. Moderate E-SE Pass level and ridgeline winds developing in the afternoon.
Sunday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the early evening, then partly cloudy. Light W winds at Pass level and ridgeline becoming light E after midnight.
Monday
Mostly sunny. Passing high clouds in the afternoon. Moderate to strong E-SE Pass level and ridgeline winds developing in the afternoon.
Sunday
Night
Partly cloudy with a few isolated snow showers, then mostly clear.
Monday
Mostly sunny with a few high clouds late in the day.
Sunday
Night
Partly cloudy with a few isolated snow showers, then mostly clear.
Monday
Mostly sunny. Passing high clouds in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds developing in the afternoon.
Sunday
Night
Partly cloudy with a few isolated snow showers, then mostly clear.
Monday
Mostly sunny in the morning with a few high clouds, becoming partly to mostly cloudy with high clouds and filtered sunshine in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds developing in the afternoon.
Sunday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the early evening, then partly cloudy. High clouds increasing late.
Monday
Mostly cloudy in the morning with filtered sunshine, becoming overcast in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds developing in the afternoon.
Issued: 2:58 PM PDT Sunday, March 26, 2023
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
Monday
Monday Night
Tuesday
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge
LT 0.10
0
0
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
LT 0.10
0
0
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.10
0
0
0
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
0
0
0
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.10
0
0
0
Crystal Mt
LT 0.10
0
0
LT 0.10
Paradise
LT 0.25
0
0
0
White Pass
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
0
0
0
Mission Ridge
LT 0.10
0
0
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.10
0
0
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
LT 0.10
0
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
Timberline
LT 0.10
0
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
0
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
0
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
0
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
LT 0.10
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.25
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
LT 0.10
Tuesday
LT 0.25
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0
Tuesday
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
LT 0.10
Tuesday
0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0.25
Tuesday
0.25 - 0.50
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Monday Night
0.25
Tuesday
0.25 - 0.50
Issued: 2:58 PM PDT Sunday, March 26, 2023
Snow Level (ft)
Sunday
Evening
Sunday
Night
Monday
Morning*
Monday
Afternoon*
Monday
Evening*
Monday
Night*
Tuesday
Morning*
Tuesday
Afternoon*
Olympics
2000'
1500'
2500'
4000'
3500'
3500'
3500'
4500'
West North
2000'
1500'
2500'
5000'
3500'
2500'
4000'
5500'
West Central
2000'
1500'
2500'
4500'
3500'
3000'
4000'
5000'
West South
2000'
1500'
2500'
4500'
3500'
3000'
3500'
4000'
Stevens Pass
2000'
1500'
2500'
4500'
3500'
3000'
4000'
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass
2000'
1500'
2500'
4500'
3500'
3000'
4000'
5000'
East North
2000'
1500'
2500'
5000'
3000'
2000'
4000'
5500'
East Central
2000'
1500'
2500'
4500'
3500'
3000'
4000'
5000'
East South
2000'
1500'
2500'
4500'
3500'
3500'
3500'
4000'
Mt. Hood
2000'
1500'
2500'
5000'
4000'
3000'
3000'
3500'
Olympics
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
4000'
Monday
Evening*
3500'
Monday
Night*
3500'
Tuesday
Morning*
3500'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
4500'
West North
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
5000'
Monday
Evening*
3500'
Monday
Night*
2500'
Tuesday
Morning*
4000'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
5500'
West Central
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
4500'
Monday
Evening*
3500'
Monday
Night*
3000'
Tuesday
Morning*
4000'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
5000'
West South
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
4500'
Monday
Evening*
3500'
Monday
Night*
3000'
Tuesday
Morning*
3500'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
4000'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
4500'
Monday
Evening*
3500'
Monday
Night*
3000'
Tuesday
Morning*
4000'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
4500'
Monday
Evening*
3500'
Monday
Night*
3000'
Tuesday
Morning*
4000'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
5000'
East North
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
5000'
Monday
Evening*
3000'
Monday
Night*
2000'
Tuesday
Morning*
4000'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
5500'
East Central
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
4500'
Monday
Evening*
3500'
Monday
Night*
3000'
Tuesday
Morning*
4000'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
5000'
East South
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
4500'
Monday
Evening*
3500'
Monday
Night*
3500'
Tuesday
Morning*
3500'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
4000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning*
2500'
Monday
Afternoon*
5000'
Monday
Evening*
4000'
Monday
Night*
3000'
Tuesday
Morning*
3000'
Tuesday
Afternoon*
3500'
Issued: 2:58 PM PDT Sunday, March 26, 2023
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Sunday
Night
Monday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
24 / 19
29 / 20
West North
26 / 20
33 / 20
West Central
26 / 21
32 / 21
West South
25 / 19
31 / 20
Stevens Pass
26 / 20
31 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass
25 / 20
30 / 20
East North
27 / 17
32 / 18
East Central
27 / 19
31 / 19
East South
27 / 19
30 / 19
Mt. Hood
25 / 21
32 / 21
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
24 / 19
Monday
29 / 20
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
26 / 20
Monday
33 / 20
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
26 / 21
Monday
32 / 21
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
25 / 19
Monday
31 / 20
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
26 / 20
Monday
31 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
25 / 20
Monday
30 / 20
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
27 / 17
Monday
32 / 18
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
27 / 19
Monday
31 / 19
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
27 / 19
Monday
30 / 19
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Sunday
Night
25 / 21
Monday
32 / 21
Issued: 2:58 PM PDT Sunday, March 26, 2023
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
Sunday
Night
Monday
Morning
Monday
Afternoon
Olympics
S 0-10
SE 0-10
SE 5-15
SE 10-20
West North
S 0-10
E 0-10
E 0-10
SE 10-20
West Central
SW 0-10
ENE 0-10
SE 5-15
ESE 15-25
West South
SW 0-10
SE 0-10
SE 10-20
SE 20-30
Stevens Pass
W 0-10
SE 0-10
SE 5-15
SE 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass
W 0-10
SE 0-10
SE 10-20
SE 20-30
East North
NW 0-10
SE 0-10
SE 5-15
SE 10-20
East Central
W 0-10
SE 5-15
SE 5-15
SE 15-25
East South
W 0-10
SE 0-10
SE 10-20
SE 15-25
Mt. Hood
W 0-10
SSE 5-15
SE 10-20
SE 20-30
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
S
0-10
Sunday
Night
SE
0-10
Monday
Morning
SE
5-15
Monday
Afternoon
SE
10-20
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
S
0-10
Sunday
Night
E
0-10
Monday
Morning
E
0-10
Monday
Afternoon
SE
10-20
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
SW
0-10
Sunday
Night
ENE
0-10
Monday
Morning
SE
5-15
Monday
Afternoon
ESE
15-25
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
SW
0-10
Sunday
Night
SE
0-10
Monday
Morning
SE
10-20
Monday
Afternoon
SE
20-30
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
W
0-10
Sunday
Night
SE
0-10
Monday
Morning
SE
5-15
Monday
Afternoon
SE
15-25
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
W
0-10
Sunday
Night
SE
0-10
Monday
Morning
SE
10-20
Monday
Afternoon
SE
20-30
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
NW
0-10
Sunday
Night
SE
0-10
Monday
Morning
SE
5-15
Monday
Afternoon
SE
10-20
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
W
0-10
Sunday
Night
SE
5-15
Monday
Morning
SE
5-15
Monday
Afternoon
SE
15-25
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
W
0-10
Sunday
Night
SE
0-10
Monday
Morning
SE
10-20
Monday
Afternoon
SE
15-25
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday
Evening
W
0-10
Sunday
Night
SSE
5-15
Monday
Morning
SE
10-20
Monday
Afternoon
SE
20-30
Issued: 2:58 PM PDT Sunday, March 26, 2023
Extended Weather Synopsis
The same low pressure complex should start to pull further south on Wednesday, taking the clouds and showers with it. We should see mostly sunny skies in much of the area, with a slower clearing trend for Mt Hood and the far south Washington Cascades. Temperatures will warm several more degrees on Wednesday. On Thursday, we begin to see a pattern change with onshore flow developing and low-level marine clouds/moisture beginning to work it's way along the west slopes of the Cascades. It should be a benign weather day with slightly cooler conditions on the west-side than east slopes of the Cascades.
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).