Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, March 3, 2024
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

The cold upper-level trough responsible for cold wintry weather and snow showers remains retains its grip through Monday night. A weak upper level and associated surface circulation center embedded within the broader trough shifts eastward through the straight of Juan De Fuca Sunday night. The associated front-like feature over the Cascades Sunday afternoon shifts eastward. Light to moderate snow showers continue to circulate around this feature, focusing on the SW through SE slopes of the Olympics and the west slopes of the Cascades with the most spillover to the E slopes of the Cascades during the evening hours.

The track of the low center maintains southerly winds in the Mt Baker area and we anticipate convergence to form with an associated moderate band of snowfall in this vicinity early Monday morning before convergence drops southward toward the Skagit Valley and weakens. Elsewhere, expect light to occasionally moderate snow showers along the west slopes of the Cascades on Monday. Expect an uptick in ridgeline winds into the 15-20 mph range south of the low center's track (i.e. central and southern Cascades).

Monday night, light snow showers diminish from north to south as a final lobe of the trough pivots through the area and skies begin to clear. Sunday night through Monday night maintains the diurnal pattern of snow levels varying form sea level to 1500 ft (with freezing levels peaking in the 2500 ft range during drier periods).

Tuesday features plenty of sunshine as upper-level flow shifts NWerly on the back side of the trough. Expect light winds and freezing levels around 1500-2500 ft in the afternoon.

 

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 Cloudy with widespread snow showers during the evening (light around Hurricane Ridge, moderate southern and western Olympics), tapering overnight.
Monday Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers and a slight chance of light upslope snowfall for the northern Olympics in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Moderate snow.
Monday Moderate (locally heavy) snow or snow showers, decreasing in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Periods of light to moderate snow, increasing overnight.
Monday Moderate snow through the morning hours, becoming light and showery by the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds at times.
Sunday Night Periods of light to moderate snow (heaviest at Mt St Helens and Paradise).
Monday Light to moderate snow showers.
Sunday Night Periods of light snow. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Monday Decreasing light snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline and increasing light W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Night Periods of light snow. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Monday Decreasing light snow showers. Increasing moderate ridgeline and light to occasionally moderate W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Night Light snow showers.
Monday Light snow showers.
Sunday Night Light snow showers decreasing overnight. Ridgeline winds become moderate at times during the early morning hours.
Monday Light snow showers near the Cascade Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Light snow showers.
Monday Light snow showers near the Cascade Crest.
Sunday Night Moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Light to moderate snow showers. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, March 3, 2024

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

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, March 3, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics 1000' 500' 0 500' 500' 500' 500' 2000'
West North 1000' 500' 0 500' 0 0 500' 1500'
West Central 1000' 500' 0 500' 500' 0 500' 2000'
West South 1000' 500' 0 500' 500' 0 500' 2500'
Stevens Pass 1000' 500' 0 500' 500' 0 500' 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass 1000' 500' 0 500' 500' 0 500' 2000'
East North 500' 0 0 0 0 0 0 2000'
East Central 1000' 500' 0 500' 500' 0 500' 2500'
East South 1000' 500' 0 500' 500' 0 500' 3000'
Mt. Hood 1000' 500' 500' 1000' 1000' 500' 500' 3000'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 500'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 0'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 1500'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening 500'
Sunday Night 0'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 0'
Monday Evening 0'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 0'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 1000'
Monday Evening 1000'
Monday Night 500'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, March 3, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 23 / 19 25 / 17
West North 23 / 19 23 / 18
West Central 22 / 19 22 / 19
West South 23 / 18 26 / 17
Stevens Pass 23 / 15 24 / 19
Snoqualmie Pass 22 / 16 23 / 19
East North 20 / 6 22 / 8
East Central 23 / 17 24 / 17
East South 23 / 17 27 / 16
Mt. Hood 24 / 19 27 / 19
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 19
Monday 25 / 17
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 19
Monday 23 / 18
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 22 / 19
Monday 22 / 19
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 18
Monday 26 / 17
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 15
Monday 24 / 19
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 22 / 16
Monday 23 / 19
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 20 / 6
Monday 22 / 8
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 17
Monday 24 / 17
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 17
Monday 27 / 16
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 19
Monday 27 / 19

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, March 3, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:13 PM PST Sunday, March 3, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

Mostly dry and cold NW flow continues Tuesday night through Wednesday night. A weak ridge moves into the area on Thursday into Thursday night. A stronger system begins to brush NW Washington on Friday. Expect temperatures to start the extended forecast well below seasonal norms, but return to average late in the week.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
West North 500' 1000' 500' 500'
Snoqualmie Pass 500' 1000' 1000' 1000'
Mt. Hood 1000' 1500' 2000' 2500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night 500'
Wednesday 1000'
Wednesday Night 500'
Thursday 500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night 500'
Wednesday 1000'
Wednesday Night 1000'
Thursday 1000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night 1000'
Wednesday 1500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday 2500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 3, 2024

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’.