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 Tuesday night through Thursday
A quasi-stationary low pressure system off the coast of Oregon will drift northward through Wednesday, rotating showers over the area over the next day and a half. Showers will come in waves with a bit of a lull tonight and then increasing again on Wednesday. The southwest Cascades will pick up the most precipitation through tomorrow afternoon with the highest water numbers likely for the southern slopes of Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens. A brief period of S-SE winds later tonight through Wednesday morning will spread shower activity further along the east slopes of the Cascades before the flow becomes more SW-erly Wednesday afternoon. We'll see rain at lower elevation trailheads and Passes with the snow level around 4000-4500' for most areas through Wednesday.
Upper level ridging will build over the area late Wednesday night and Thursday. We may see a few stray showers over the Olympic peninsula and northwest Cascades but overall, a drying trend will take hold. Winds will be fairly light out of the W-SW and freezing levels will rise to 4500-5500' in the afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Showers heaviest southern slopes of the Olympics. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Showers heaviest southern slopes of the Olympics. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West North
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, then cloudy with showers increasing in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West Central
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
West South
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Heaviest showers near the volcanoes. Ridgeline winds increasing and becoming moderate after midnight. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Heaviest showers near the volcanoes. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Stevens Pass
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Light E winds at Pass level. SE winds at ridgeline increasing after midnight. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, then showers increasing in the afternoon. Variable and light winds at Pass level. Light to moderate SE winds at ridgeline becoming SW late in the afternoon. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Light E winds at Pass level. SE winds at ridgeline increasing after midnight. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, then showers increasing in the afternoon. Variable and light winds at Pass level. Light to moderate SE winds at ridgeline becoming SW late in the afternoon. |
East North
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light showers in the afternoon. |
East Central
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Ridgeline winds increasing and becoming moderate after midnight. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light showers in the afternoon. |
East South
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Ridgeline winds increasing and becoming moderate after midnight. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light showers in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds increasing to moderate in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds increasing overnight. |
| Wednesday | Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4500' | 5000' | None' | 6500' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4500' | None' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 4000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4500' | 4500' | None' | 5500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
* 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
| Tuesday Night | Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
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: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SSE None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SSE None - None |
| Tuesday Night | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SSE None - None |
| Tuesday Night | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | SW None - None |
| Wednesday 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday 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: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Saturday
Dry, mild and mostly sunny weather will make for a pleasant end to the work week. Upper level ridging will begin to flatten on Friday and further Friday night, allowing clouds and perhaps some light precipitation to reach the northern half of the forecast area during the day on Saturday. It's looking increasingly likely a pattern change is on the horizon, with a frontal system slamming into the area on Sunday, and a potentially strong system on its heels early next week. Snow levels may start out above some lower traileheads and Passes, but we'll eventually enter the cold and snowy pattern. How long this lasts is still up in the air...but finally, we have some real winter weather to focus on.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
* 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. 20, 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.