Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Thursday
A low pressure system off the Washington coast will continue to rotate showers over the area today. Showers will become more intense in the afternoon as the flow veers from south to southwest, with heavier precipitation totals likely along the southern slopes of the Olympics and the west slopes of the Cascades, particularly the southern volcanoes from Mt Rainier to Mt Hood. Snow levels will hover between 4000-5000'. The strongest winds will be on the southern periphery of the showers in the Mt Hood area.
More moderate showers will continue into the evening along the west slopes of the Cascades before tapering off overnight. The weakened upper low will hang offshore and we'll have weak upper level ridging building over the inland NW. Closer to the low, there will be a slight chance of showers over the Olympics and northwest Cascades in the afternoon. Elsewhere, we'll see a mix of PM sun and clouds as freezing levels bump up into the 4500-5500' range.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest southern slopes of the Olympics. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
West North
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Showers increasing in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers becoming scattered showers after midnight. |
West Central
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Showers increasing in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers becoming scattered showers after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West South
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Showers increasing in the afternoon and heaviest south slopes of Mt St Helens and Mt Rainier area. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the evening then becoming scattered showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Stevens Pass
| Wednesday | Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Showers increasing in the afternoon. Light east winds at Pass level. Light to moderate S ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the evening then becoming scattered showers. Light to moderate W winds at Pass level and ridgeline. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday | Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Light east winds at Pass level. S ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the evening then becoming scattered showers. Light to moderate W winds at Pass level, moderate at ridgeline. |
East North
| Wednesday | Cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, then mostly cloudy with showers becoming scattered in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy. A chance of light rain and snow showers in the evening. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
East Central
| Wednesday | Cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, then mostly cloudy with showers becoming scattered in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy. A chance of light rain and snow showers in the evening. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| Wednesday | Cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, then mostly cloudy with showers becoming scattered in the afternoon. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy. A chance of light rain and snow showers in the evening. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Showers increasing in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the evening then becoming scattered showers.Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 7:04 AM PST Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4500' | 4500' | None' | 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 4500' |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| 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
| Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| 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: 7:04 AM PST Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | WSW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I
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.