Issued: 4:04 PM PDT Saturday, March 23, 2024
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

4 PM: Increased Washington Pass water numbers for Saturday night.

A closed low off the Oregon coast maintains continues to drift off the Oregon coast. To the north of the low, a broad E-W band of precipitation developed on Saturday and continued across northern Washington into the afternoon. It has stalled just south of the Canadian border. The associated precipitation should become mostly light and decrease for Mt Baker, the Mountain Loop, and Washington Pass areas in the evening. As the upper low begins to drift southeastward overnight, the deformation band tilts SW-NE and follows the low. This should quickly ramp down lingering precipitation for Washington Pass and Mt Baker overnight, with a period of light rain and snow shifting from the Mountain loop south to Mt Rainier by morning. Precipitation mostly ends in the central Washington Cascades early Sunday morning, with lingering more showery precipitation for the southern Washington Cascades and Mt Hood areas as flow aloft becomes more northerly.

A shortwave ridge moves over the area Sunday evening, followed by a series of disturbances and very subtle troughs. Expect increasing light rain showers Sunday night through Monday with diffluent flow not conducive to more than weakly organized fronts. Snow levels should be in the 3000-4000 ft range and light W winds increasing into the light to moderate range by Monday.

 

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
Saturday Night Decreasing light rain and snow showers focusing on the northern Olympics.
Sunday Mostly sunny skies in the morning, with isolated rain and snow showers amidst partly to mostly cloudy skies in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Decreasing light rain and snow showers, possibly ending after midnight.
Sunday Mostly sunny skies with a few popcorn clouds in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Light rain and snow shifting from north to south.
Sunday Decreasing light rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy in the morning with more sun than clouds in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Light rain and snow showers.
Sunday Decreasing light rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy in the morning with partly cloudy skies in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Increasing periods of light rain and snow. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Isolated light rain or snow showers, mainly in the morning. Mostly cloudy in the morning with more sun than clouds in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Increasing periods of light rain and snow. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Isolated light rain or snow showers, mainly in the morning. Mostly cloudy in the morning with more sun than clouds in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Night Decreasing light rain and snow tapering or ending by morning.
Sunday Partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with a few light rain and snow showers.
Sunday Isolated light rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy skies to start the day, giving way to more sun than clouds by the afternoon.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with a few light rain and snow showers.
Sunday Isolated light rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy skies to start the day, giving way to more sun than clouds by the afternoon.
Saturday Night Clouds banked against the west slopes of Mt Hood with light rain and snow showers.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers, locally more intense in the afternoon.

Issued: 4:04 PM PDT Saturday, March 23, 2024

Precipitation (in)

Saturday Night Sunday Sunday Night Monday
5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 0 0 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 0 0 LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Paradise LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
White Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0 0 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Timberline LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday LT 0.25

Issued: 4:04 PM PDT Saturday, March 23, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics 4000' 4000' 5000' 5500' 5500' 5000' 3500' 3500'
West North 4000' 3000' 3000' 5000' 5000' 3000' 3000' 3000'
West Central 4000' 3500' 4000' 4500' 5000' 3500' 3000' 3000'
West South 4500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3500'
Stevens Pass 4000' 4000' 3500' 4500' 4500' 3000' 3000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3000'
East North 4500' 3500' 2500' 5500' 5000' 3000' 2500' 3500'
East Central 4500' 4000' 3500' 4500' 5000' 4000' 4000' 3500'
East South 5000' 4000' 4000' 4500' 5000' 4500' 4000' 4000'
Mt. Hood 4500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 4500' 3500' 3000' 4000'
Olympics Elevation
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 5000'
Sunday Afternoon 5500'
Sunday Evening 5500'
Sunday Night 5000'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
West North Elevation
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 3000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 5000'
Sunday Evening 5000'
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
West Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 3500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 5000'
Sunday Night 3500'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
West South Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Sunday Evening 4000'
Sunday Night 3500'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Sunday Evening 4000'
Sunday Night 3500'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
East North Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 3500'
Sunday Morning 2500'
Sunday Afternoon 5500'
Sunday Evening 5000'
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
East Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 5000'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
East South Elevation
Saturday Evening 5000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 5000'
Sunday Night 4500'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 3500'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 3500'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'

Issued: 4:04 PM PDT Saturday, March 23, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Saturday Night Sunday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 34 / 30 40 / 28
West North 33 / 25 37 / 25
West Central 33 / 29 35 / 28
West South 36 / 30 38 / 31
Stevens Pass 35 / 30 37 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 34 / 29 34 / 31
East North 33 / 22 35 / 19
East Central 35 / 28 37 / 29
East South 35 / 29 39 / 29
Mt. Hood 35 / 29 35 / 29
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 34 / 30
Sunday 40 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 33 / 25
Sunday 37 / 25
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 33 / 29
Sunday 35 / 28
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 36 / 30
Sunday 38 / 31
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 35 / 30
Sunday 37 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 34 / 29
Sunday 34 / 31
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 33 / 22
Sunday 35 / 19
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 35 / 28
Sunday 37 / 29
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 35 / 29
Sunday 39 / 29
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 35 / 29
Sunday 35 / 29

Issued: 4:04 PM PDT Saturday, March 23, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 4:04 PM PDT Saturday, March 23, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

The pattern continues with weak disturbances, however, a bit of ridging offshore turns the flow more WNWerly. The ridge shifts over the area Tuesday evening and SSW flow increases overnight ahead of the next system. A deeper low slowly moves into the PNW offshore waters on Wednesday, with a moderately strong frontal system bringing moderate winds and rain/snow. Temperatures should be near seasonal norms.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
West North 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500'
Mt. Hood 3500' 3500' 4000' 4500'
West North Elevation
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday 3000'
Tuesday Night 3000'
Wednesday 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday 3000'
Tuesday Night 3000'
Wednesday 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night 3500'
Tuesday 3500'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday 4500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 23, 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’.