Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I
Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Friday
The Pacific Northwest enters a period of NNW flow aloft. Weak disturbances on NW flow bring very light snow showers (a dusting to 2") to the west slopes of the Cascades on Thursday with minimal if any spillover onto the east slopes. Temperatures should remain in the 20s in most mountain locations, keeping snow levels in the 2000-2500 ft range.
A more organized disturbance moves through the area Thursday night and Friday. Light snow picks up first in the central and northern Cascades, then shifts gradually south heading into Friday. Snowfall tapers early Friday from Mt Baker to Stevens Pass, lasting into the morning hours for the southern Washington volcanoes, and into the afternoon for Mt Hood. Weak convergence could also sustain snowfall a bit longer around Snoqualmie Pass. We're currently forecasting 2-6" of snow for the west slopes of the Cascades with a dusting to an inch for areas in the immediate lee of the Cascades. The uncertainty with this system is how much moisture will even make it as far east as the Cascade Crest, with some models indicating most of the moisture gets squeezed out by the Cascade Foothills.
Expect moderate ridgeline winds for exposed terrain from the I-90 corridor southward Thursday night, continuing into the morning hours on Friday for Mt Hood.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Thursday | A slight chance of very light snow showers. Mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy. |
| Thursday Night | Increasing light snow. |
West North
| Thursday | Very light snow showers. Mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy. |
| Thursday Night | Increasing light snow. |
West Central
| Thursday | Very light snow showers. Mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy. |
| Thursday Night | Increasing light snow. |
West South
| Thursday | Light snow showers (most prevalent at Paradise). Mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy. |
| Thursday Night | Increasing light snow. |
Stevens Pass
| Thursday | Very light snow showers. Mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. |
| Thursday Night | Increasing light snow. Light to occasionally moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday | Very light snow showers. Mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. |
| Thursday Night | Increasing light snow. Moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. |
East North
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy near the crest with a slight chance of snow flurries. Partly cloudy further east. |
| Thursday Night | A chance of very light proximal to the Cascade Crest. Partly cloudy further east. |
East Central
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy near the crest with a slight chance of snow flurries. Partly cloudy further east. |
| Thursday Night | A chance of very light proximal to the Cascade Crest. Partly cloudy further east. |
East South
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy near the crest with a slight chance of snow flurries. Partly cloudy further east. |
| Thursday Night | A chance of very light proximal to the Cascade Crest. Partly cloudy further east. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday | Light snow showers focusing on the W slopes of Mt Hood. Mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy. |
| Thursday Night | Increasing light snow focusing on the W slopes of Mt Hood. |
Issued: 6:59 AM PST Thursday, February 8, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 1500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1500' | 1500' | None' | 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.
Precipitation Forecast
| Thursday | Thursday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
LT = less than; WE or Water equivalent is the liquid water equivalent of melted snow in hundredths of inches. As a rough approximation 1 inch of snow = about .10 inches WE, or 10 inches of snow = about 1 inch WE.
Issued: 6:59 AM PST Thursday, February 8, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | W None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | W None - None |
| Thursday Evening | W None - None |
| Thursday Night | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | W None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | W None - None |
| Thursday Evening | W None - None |
| Thursday Night | W None - None |
Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I
Previous forecast from Feb. 7, 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.