Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Friday
A complex system will bring impactful weather and significant snowfall focused on the southern half of our forecast region through Thursday afternoon. Snow started around Mt Hood around noon as a warm front lifts slowly northward. The associated low pressure sits of the Oregon coastline and tracks slowly toward the mouth of the Columbia River. The warm front will bring increasing moderate to heavy snow Wednesday night to areas from Mt Hood to Mt Rainier, with higher snowfall rates also possible with E slope enhancement for the Wenatchee Mountains and Icicle Creek areas. The combined upper-level support of ESE winds aloft and increased low-level pressure gradients will drive moderate winds through the mountain gaps and along exposed ridgelines near and west of the Cascade Crest, with peak winds Wednesday night. The front lingers near the coastline or shifts slightly onshore on Thursday, bringing the highest snowfall rates to the SE Olympics, but continued decreasing moderate to locally heavy snowfall for the southern volcanoes and Wenatchee Mountains. Storm totals should be in the 20-30" range for Mt St Helens, 15-20" range for Mt Hood and Paradise, and 5-15" range for most other areas south of I-90. Snowfall amounts decrease dramatically from Snoqualmie Pass northward, where we expect 1-4" accumulations, with only a dusting for Mt Baker. Temperatures will be favorable for high snow-water ratios and snow levels hovering near or just above sea level.
Snow showers taper or end over much of Washington State Friday evening as the remnants of the low move onshore. A stationary front lingers over North Oregon Thursday night and weakens Friday as ridging brings a mostly dry day on Friday. Expect a cold start to the day with freezing levels rising rapidly up to the 3000 ft range for the west slopes of the Cascades. E flow increases as an offshore frontal system approaches.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday Night | Light snow develops and increases (becoming moderate to heavy at times in the SE Olympics). Thursday: Moderate snow (heavy in Northern Olympics) early becomes light and showery by the af |
| Thursday | Moderate snow (heavy in Northern Olympics) early becomes light and showery by the afternoon. |
West North
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with a chance of light snow in the afternoon. |
West Central
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with periods of light snow developing (Barlow Pass southward). Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with periods of decreasing light snow. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds. |
West South
| Wednesday Night | Increasing snow (very heavy for southern volcanoes and moderate to heavy in other areas).Moderate to locally strong ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Moderate snow (heavy at times for Mt St Helens) tapering becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. |
Stevens Pass
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light snow developing. Moderate ridgeline winds. Light to moderate E winds at the Pass. |
| Thursday | Decreasing light snow becoming showery. Moderate ridgeline winds become light. Decreasing mostly light E wind at the Pass. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light snow developing. Moderate ridgeline winds. Moderate E winds at the Pass. |
| Thursday | Decreasing light snow becoming showery. Moderate ridgeline and E winds at the Pass become light. |
East North
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with a chance of light snow. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with snow flurries. |
East Central
| Wednesday Night | Light snow becomes moderate overnight in favored eastern areas (Wenatchee Mountains and Icicle). Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Light snow tapering to flurries. |
East South
| Wednesday Night | Moderate snow. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Light to moderate snow tapering to light snow showers. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | Increasing moderate to heavy snow. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Decreasing moderate to heavy snow. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 2:15 PM PST Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 0' | 500' | None' | 1500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 0' | 0' | None' | 1500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 0' | 0' | None' | 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 0' | 500' | None' | 2500' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1000' | 1000' | None' | 2000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 500' | 500' | None' | 1000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 500' | 500' | None' | 500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2500' | None' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
* 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
| Wednesday Night | Thursday | Thursday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
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: 2:15 PM PST Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SSW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SSW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | SW None - None |
| Thursday Morning | WSW None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SSW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | SW None - None |
| Thursday Morning | WSW None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- 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.
Issued: 2:15 PM PST Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday
The offshore frontal system decelerates and weakens as it approaches the coastline Friday night, bringing light rain and snow to our mountains by the afternoon on Saturday. Light bands of showers continue to drift northward with a secondary frontal wave moving up into the area on S flow. Cold air trapped E of the Cascades and E flow will keep the passes significantly cooler. But most areas should remain snow through the weekend.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Saturday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Sunday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
* 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Feb. 14, 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.