Issued: 2:22 PM PDT Sunday, March 24, 2024
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

There's plenty of sunshine in the Olympics, North Cascades, and places east of the Crest this afternoon. Areas from Hwy 2 south along the west slopes just can't seem to shake the clouds. A weak high pressure ridge passing overhead has pushed most of the showers south, with a few flurries still falling in the West South and Mt Hood zones. 

After a dry start to the evening, onshore flow will draw clouds into the mountains from an approaching cold front. Eventually, enough moisture piles up along the west slopes of the Cascades to wring out a few light showers, mainly after midnight. Any precipitation will struggle to make it over Crest. This pattern continues Monday morning as the weak front slowly approaches. This isn't a very strong storm. While temperatures will fall, snowlevels shouldn't make it much below about 3000ft. The front finally crosses over the Cascades late in the afternoon and early evening, helping showers venture further east. 

By Tuesday morning, lingering moisture and onshore flow should keep the west slopes cloudy and drippy. As the day progresses, the trend will be for drying and clearing. Most places should see significant sunbreaks by the afternoon, with more ample blue sky east of the mountains. 

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 Increasing clouds. Showers developing in the western Olympics.
Monday Cloudy with generally light rain and snow.
Sunday Night Mostly clear in the evening, then increasing clouds. Showers developing after midnight.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow.
Sunday Night Mostly clear in the evening, then increasing clouds. Showers developing after midnight. Winds becoming SW moderate.
Monday Cloudy with light to moderate precipitation. Light to moderate SW winds decreasing slightly.
Sunday Night Partly to mostly cloudy in the evening, then increasing clouds. A few showers possible after midnight. Light to moderate W winds.
Monday Cloudy with generally light rain and snow. Light to moderate W winds.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy in the evening, then clouds increasing. A few light showers mainly after midnight. Light W winds.
Monday Cloudy with light rain and snow. Light W winds.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy in the evening, then increasing clouds. Light showers mainly after midnight. Light to moderate W winds increasing.
Monday Cloudy with generally light precipitation. Light to moderate W winds decreasing.
Sunday Night Mostly clear in the evening, then increasing clouds overnight. A few sprinkles possible near the crest. NW winds becoming W light to moderate.
Monday Mostly cloudy with a few light showers possible, mainly near the crest. Light to moderate W winds decreasing.
Sunday Night Mostly clear in the evening, then increasing clouds. A few sprinkles possible near the crest after midnight. Light to moderate WNW winds becoming W.
Monday Mostly cloudy with light showers mainly near the crest. Light to moderate W winds.
Sunday Night Mostly clear in the evening, then increasing clouds. A few sprinkles possible near the crest. Light to moderate WNW winds becoming W.
Monday Mostly cloudy with a few showers mainly near the crest. Moderate W winds decreasing slightly.
Sunday Night Becoming cloudy with generally light rain and snow. Moderate WNW winds turning W.
Monday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Moderate W winds becoming strong and gusty.

Issued: 2:22 PM PDT Sunday, March 24, 2024

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

Issued: 2:22 PM PDT Sunday, March 24, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

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

Issued: 2:22 PM PDT Sunday, March 24, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 37 / 25 32 / 25
West North 36 / 28 31 / 27
West Central 35 / 27 31 / 26
West South 35 / 27 32 / 26
Stevens Pass 31 / 25 31 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 32 / 26 30 / 25
East North 30 / 22 30 / 23
East Central 32 / 25 31 / 27
East South 34 / 27 34 / 26
Mt. Hood 32 / 26 32 / 25
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 37 / 25
Monday 32 / 25
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 36 / 28
Monday 31 / 27
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 35 / 27
Monday 31 / 26
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 35 / 27
Monday 32 / 26
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 31 / 25
Monday 31 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 26
Monday 30 / 25
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 30 / 22
Monday 30 / 23
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 25
Monday 31 / 27
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 34 / 27
Monday 34 / 26
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 26
Monday 32 / 25

Issued: 2:22 PM PDT Sunday, March 24, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:22 PM PDT Sunday, March 24, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

A transient high pressure ridge passes overhead Tuesday afternoon/evening and helps most areas dry out ahead of a more substantial winter storm. Clouds should begin to thicken and lower overnight as the system approaches. Precipitation spreads across the region from SW to NE Wednesday with periods of heavy rain/snow and strong and gusty S-SW winds. Post-frontal showers focus on the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics Wednesday night and Thursday as the trough sags further south along the California coast. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night* Wednesday * Wednesday Night* Thursday
West North 2000' 3500' 3500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 3500' 3500' 3000'
Mt. Hood 3500' 4500' 4000' 3500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday * 3500'
Wednesday Night* 3500'
Thursday 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday * 3500'
Wednesday Night* 3500'
Thursday 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday * 4500'
Wednesday Night* 4000'
Thursday 3500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 24, 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’.