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Mountain Weather Forecast

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Friday, February 23, 2024
by Robert Hahn

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday

The first half of the weekend features a transition into an active weather pattern, with the bulk of the storm arriving on Sunday.

WNW flow aloft develops as the approaching system flattens Friday's ridge. Clouds spread across the mountains of Washington State Friday evening. Clouds lower and thicken overnight as light rain and snow develop from Stevens Pass northward. Light rain and snow increase and extend south to Mt Rainier on Saturday as Moderate winds ridgeline winds develop in many areas and accelerate down the drier east slopes of the Cascades.

Stormy weather intensifies as a cold front approaches from the WNW on Sunday. Moderate to heavy rain and snow increase for the Washington Cascades, focusing most heavily on the northern half of the Washington Cascades. Light to moderate rain and snow spill over to the east slopes, but only reach Mt Hood late in the day. Snow levels remain steady around 3000 ft in the north, 3500 ft for Snoqualmie Pass, and 4000 ft further south. Westerly winds ramp up into the 20-30 mph range for exposed ridgelines near and east of the Cascade Crest. Above the rain/snow line, we’re expecting 9-15” of snow for Paradise, Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, and Mt Baker through Sunday.

 

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Friday Night Cloudy.
Very light rain and snow at times. Moderate ridgeline winds develop late in the day.
West North
Friday Night Cloudy to start, then light rain and snow develop overnight.
Light rain and snow. Modernerate ridgeline winds.
West Central
Friday Night Cloudy in the evening, then very light rain and snow develop overnight (north of highway 2). Saturday: Light rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Light rain and snow. Modernerate ridgeline winds.
West South
Friday Night High clouds lower and thicken.
Very light rain and snow at times, mainly on the western side of Mt Rainier (including Paradise).
Stevens Pass
Friday Night Cloudy in the evening, then very light rain and snow develop in the early morning hours. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Light rain and snow. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Snoqualmie Pass
Friday Night Clouds lower and thicken. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Light rain and snow. Light to moderate ridgeline and mostly light W wind at the Pass.
East North
Friday Night Increasing clouds. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Light rain and snow at times near the Cascade Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds.
East Central
Friday Night Increasing clouds. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Light rain and snow at times near the Cascade Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds.
East South
Friday Night Increasing clouds. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Cloudy with very light rain or snow possible in the northern part. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Mt. Hood
Friday Night Increasing clouds. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Moderate ridgeline winds.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Friday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 7500'
Friday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 3500' 4000' None' 6500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 3000' 3000' None' 6000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level None' None' None' None' 3000' 3000' None' 6500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 3500' 3500' None' 6000'
Saturday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 3500' 3500' None' 5500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 3000' 3500' None' 5500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Washington Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Leavenworth Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Friday Night Snow Level
3500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Friday Night Snow Level
4000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
7500'
Friday Night Snow Level
6500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
6000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
5500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
5500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'

* 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

Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.10 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 - 1.00
Snoqualmie Pass 0 LT 0.25 0.50 1.00
Crystal Mt 0 0 LT 0.10 0.25
Paradise 0 LT 0.10 0.25 0.75 - 1.00
White Pass 0 0 LT 0.25 0.50
Washington Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.50 - 0.75
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 LT 0.10 0.25 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0 0 LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0 0 LT 0.10
0 0 0 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday 1.00 - 1.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday 1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday 0.75 - 1.00
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.50
Sunday 1.00
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.75 - 1.00
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.50 - 0.75
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Friday Evening --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None WSW None - None
Friday Night --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None W None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None W None - None
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening WSW None - None
Friday Night W None - None
Saturday Morning W None - None
Saturday Afternoon W None - None
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Friday Evening WSW None - None
Friday Night W None - None
Saturday Morning W None - None
Saturday Afternoon 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.

Free Winds at 9000' (mph)

Mt. Baker Washington Pass Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Friday Evening --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None

Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Tuesday

The storm peaks with a strong frontal passage from NW to SE late Sunday evening with little change in snow levels from Sunday. In its wake, snow levels plummet overnight and winds gradually decrease. Low-density moderate snow showers and heavier convergence bands bring significant additional accumulation at all elevations as a cold trough moves over the area on Monday. A cold and active pattern continues through the workweek. NW flow keeps light snowfall going Monday night. Another system approaches on WNW flow, bringing increasing moderate snowfall on Tuesday. Snow levels remain below 1500 ft Monday through Tuesday.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Sunday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Monday Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Monday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Tuesday Snow Level
None' - None'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Tuesday Snow Level
None' - None'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Tuesday 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. 23, 2024

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