Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Friday, March 22, 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 Pacific Northwest transitions back to more typical early spring weather as we head into the weekend. A cold front ahead of a closed low ultimately ushers in the cooling, but also extends a band of moderate rain and snow, lifting northward largely ahead of the cooling. Peak precipitation occurs during the evening hours for Mt Hood, overnight for the southern and central Washington Cascades, and the front stalls over the northern Cascades on Saturday. Models differ regarding whether some moderate precipitation lingers over the central Washington Cascades into the morning hours. Snow levels start around 5500-6000 ft Friday evening, but drop to 4000 ft on Saturday. Upper elevations across the region can expect 4-8” of snowfall, with those amounts extending into middle elevations from Stevens Pass northward as snow levels lower to 4000 ft by Saturday. Expect a relative break in the action for areas south of the precipitation band before more scattered light rain and snow showers develop from Snoqualmie Pass south to Mt Hood during the afternoon.

Light rain and snow showers continue across the region on Saturday night under the influence of a broad trough. NNW flow aloft develops on Sunday, with scattered to isolated convective showers for both sides the Cascades from around Stevens Pass southward. Snow levels range from 3000-4000 ft. Expect breaks in the clouds with more plentiful sunshine east of the Cascade Crest, particularly during the morning hours.

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 Increasing light rain and snow (moderate in southern and eastern Olympics).
Saturday Cooler with moderate rain and snow early, tapering to light showers.
Friday Night Scattered light rain and snow showers.
Saturday Light to moderate rain and snow. Cooler.
Friday Night Scattered light rain and snow showers becoming light to moderate rain and snow after midnight.
Saturday Moderate rain and snow becoming light and tapering in the afternoon. Cooler.
Friday Night Light, increasing to moderate, rain and snow.
Saturday Light rain and snow showers. Cooler.
Friday Night Light rain and snow develop and increase towards morning. Light ridgeline and E winds at the Pass shift W overnight.
Saturday Moderate rain and snow early become light and scattered as the day progresses. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. Cooler.
Friday Night Light rain and snow develop and increase towards morning. Light ridgeline and E winds at the Pass shift W overnight.
Saturday Moderate rain and snow early become light and scattered as the day progresses. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. Cooler.
Friday Night Increasing periods of light rain and snow.
Saturday Light to moderate rain and snow. Cooler.
Friday Night Increasing light rain and snow become moderate overnight. become moderate overnight.
Saturday Moderate rain and snow become light and showery early in the day.
Friday Night Increasing light to moderate rain and snow.
Saturday Decreasing light rain and snow showers. Cooler.
Friday Night Moderate rain and snow decrease into the light range overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds from variable directions.
Saturday Light rain and snow showers. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Friday, March 22, 2024

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

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Friday, March 22, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Friday Evening* Friday Night Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics 5500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 4000'
West North 5500' 5000' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3500' 3000' 4500'
West Central 5500' 5000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3000' 3500'
West South 6000' 4500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3000' 4000'
Stevens Pass 5500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 6000' 4500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3000' 4000'
East North 5000' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3000' 2000' 5000'
East Central 6000' 5000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 4000'
East South 6000' 5000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 4500'
Mt. Hood 6000' 5000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500'
Olympics Elevation
Friday Evening* 5500'
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
West North Elevation
Friday Evening* 5500'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 3500'
Saturday Night 3500'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
West Central Elevation
Friday Evening* 5500'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
West South Elevation
Friday Evening* 6000'
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening* 5500'
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening* 6000'
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
East North Elevation
Friday Evening* 5000'
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 3500'
Saturday Night 3000'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 5000'
East Central Elevation
Friday Evening* 6000'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
East South Elevation
Friday Evening* 6000'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening* 6000'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Friday, March 22, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Friday Night Saturday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 36 / 32 32 / 30
West North 38 / 32 32 / 30
West Central 36 / 32 32 / 30
West South 40 / 31 35 / 28
Stevens Pass 37 / 32 35 / 30
Snoqualmie Pass 36 / 31 35 / 30
East North 37 / 27 35 / 26
East Central 37 / 32 36 / 30
East South 39 / 28 37 / 27
Mt. Hood 39 / 29 36 / 28
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 36 / 32
Saturday 32 / 30
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 38 / 32
Saturday 32 / 30
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 36 / 32
Saturday 32 / 30
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 40 / 31
Saturday 35 / 28
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 37 / 32
Saturday 35 / 30
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 36 / 31
Saturday 35 / 30
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 37 / 27
Saturday 35 / 26
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 37 / 32
Saturday 36 / 30
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 39 / 28
Saturday 37 / 27
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 39 / 29
Saturday 36 / 28

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Friday, March 22, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Friday Evening Friday Night Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon
Olympics SSE 0-10 SE 0-10 S 0-10 SW 0-10
West North SE 0-10 SE 0-10 ESE 0-10 WSW 0-10
West Central ESE 5-15 NW 0-10 WSW 0-10 W 0-10
West South SSE 0-10 S 0-10 SW 0-10 SW 0-10
Stevens Pass ESE 5-15 NW 0-10 WSW 0-10 WNW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass ESE 5-15 NE 0-10 WSW 0-10 NW 5-15
East North ESE 5-15 E 0-10 E 5-15 W 5-15
East Central ESE 5-15 NE 0-10 SW 0-10 W 0-10
East South ESE 5-15 NE 5-15 WSW 5-15 SSW 0-10
Mt. Hood E 10-20 WSW 15-25 SW 10-20 SW 10-20
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSE 0-10
Friday Night SE 0-10
Saturday Morning S 0-10
Saturday Afternoon SW 0-10
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SE 0-10
Friday Night SE 0-10
Saturday Morning ESE 0-10
Saturday Afternoon WSW 0-10
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening ESE 5-15
Friday Night NW 0-10
Saturday Morning WSW 0-10
Saturday Afternoon W 0-10
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSE 0-10
Friday Night S 0-10
Saturday Morning SW 0-10
Saturday Afternoon SW 0-10
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening ESE 5-15
Friday Night NW 0-10
Saturday Morning WSW 0-10
Saturday Afternoon WNW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening ESE 5-15
Friday Night NE 0-10
Saturday Morning WSW 0-10
Saturday Afternoon NW 5-15
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening ESE 5-15
Friday Night E 0-10
Saturday Morning E 5-15
Saturday Afternoon W 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening ESE 5-15
Friday Night NE 0-10
Saturday Morning SW 0-10
Saturday Afternoon W 0-10
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening ESE 5-15
Friday Night NE 5-15
Saturday Morning WSW 5-15
Saturday Afternoon SSW 0-10
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening E 10-20
Friday Night WSW 15-25
Saturday Morning SW 10-20
Saturday Afternoon SW 10-20

Issued: 2:33 PM PDT Friday, March 22, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

A weak shortwave ridge brings a relative break in the shower activity Sunday night. Additional disturbances arriving Monday through Tuesday bring shower activity, mainly to the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics. Temperatures will be slightly below seasonal norms.

 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
West North 3500' 3000' 3000' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 3000' 3000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 4000' 3000' 3000' 3500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Night 3500'
Monday 3000'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night 3500'
Monday 3000'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday 3000'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday 3500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 22, 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’.