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Mountain Weather Forecast

Issued: 2:14 PM PST Sunday, February 25, 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 Sunday night through Tuesday

A cold trough approaches the Pacific Northwest as it slides down the British Columbia coastline from the NW. A SW-NE-oriented cold front is draped from SW Washington across the central Puget Sound to around Mt Baker as of 2 PM. Moderate to heavy rain and snow pushes to the SE of the front, in a wide swath extending down to Mt Hood. Snow levels remain on the mild side ahead of the front with 3500-4500 ft snow levels in the Washington Cascades and 5500 ft snow levels around Mt Hood.

The front progresses rapidly SE through the evening hours, with plummeting temperatures for the mountains of Washington State as the more continuous precipitation shifts to moderate snow showers and heavier convergence bands focus on the central Washington Cascades. Mt Hood and the southern Washington Volcanoes should also pick up heavy snowfall with around 1" of snow water equivalent expected in the aforementioned areas.

Lighter to moderate snow showers and convergence continue as W winds shift a bit more to the WNW, focusing some of the convergence southward toward Snoqualmie. Snow levels remain below 1000 ft in most areas. Ridgeline winds become mostly light in the north, but remain in the moderate range in the southern half of the forecast region, potentially picking up a bit in the afternoon with a passing disturbance.

NW flow aloft develops Monday night through Tuesday. Mostly light snow showers (moderate in convergence) decrease into Tuesday morning. However, an approaching warm front will bring increasing mostly light, but potentially moderate snow into the region during the afternoon. Snow levels remain below 1000 ft.

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Sunday Night Light snow showers potentially become moderate overnight. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds. Plummeting temperatures.
Decreasing light snow showers. Cold.
West North
Sunday Night Decreasing moderate snow showers becoming light. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds. Plummeting temperatures.
Light snow showers. Cold.
West Central
Sunday Night Decreasing moderate snow showers (locally heavy in convergence bands). Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds. Plummeting temperatures.
Decreasing light to moderate snow showers (locally heavy in convergence bands). Cold.
West South
Sunday Night Moderate to heavy snow transitions to light to moderate snow showers. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds with strong gusts. Plummeting temperatures.
Decreasing light to moderate snow showers. Cold.
Stevens Pass
Sunday Night Decreasing moderate to heavy snow showers and convergence. Decreasing moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass. Plummeting temperatures.
Decreasing light to moderate snow showers and convergence. Cold. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Snoqualmie Pass
Sunday Night Decreasing moderate to heavy rain and snow rapidly transition to moderate snow showers (locally heavy in convergence). Decreasing moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass. Plummeting temperatures.
Decreasing light to moderate snow showers (locally heavy in convergence). Cold.
East North
Sunday Night Decreasing light snow showers. Decreasing moderate to strong ridgeline winds. Plummeting temperatures.
Decreasing light snow showers. Cold.
East Central
Sunday Night Decreasing moderate snow showers become light (some enhancements with convergence spillover). Decreasing moderate to strong ridgeline winds. Plummeting temperatures.
Decreasing light snow showers with some convergence enhancement near the Cascade Crest. Cold. Moderate ridgeline winds.
East South
Sunday Night Moderate rain and snow transitions to light snow showers. Plummeting temperatures. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Decreasing light snow showers. Cold. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Mt. Hood
Sunday Night Heavy rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds with extreme gusts. Plummeting temperatures overnight.
Moderate snow showers. Cold.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Sunday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 3000' 3000' None' 4500'
Sunday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 500' 1000' None' 3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 0' 0' None' 1500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level None' None' None' None' 500' 500' None' 1000'
Monday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 0' 0' None' 1000'
Monday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 0' 0' None' 500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 0' 0' None' 500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
None'
Sunday Night Snow Level
None'
Monday Morning Snow Level
None'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Monday Evening Snow Level
None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
None'
Sunday Night Snow Level
None'
Monday Morning Snow Level
None'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Monday Evening Snow Level
None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Washington Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
None'
Sunday Night Snow Level
None'
Monday Morning Snow Level
None'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Monday Evening Snow Level
None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Leavenworth Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
None'
Sunday Night Snow Level
None'
Monday Morning Snow Level
None'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Monday Evening Snow Level
None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
500'
Monday Morning Snow Level
0'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
500'
Monday Evening Snow Level
0'
Monday Night Snow Level
0'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
0'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
0'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
1000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
0'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
500'
Monday Evening Snow Level
0'
Monday Night Snow Level
0'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
0'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
None'
Sunday Night Snow Level
None'
Monday Morning Snow Level
None'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Monday Evening Snow Level
None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
None'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Monday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Monday Night Snow Level
500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'

* 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

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

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Sunday Evening --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None WSW None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None W None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None W None - None
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening WSW None - None
Sunday Night W None - None
Monday Morning W None - None
Monday Afternoon WNW None - None
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening WSW None - None
Sunday Night W None - None
Monday Morning W None - None
Monday Afternoon WNW 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
Sunday Evening --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening --- None - None
Sunday Night --- None - None
Monday Morning --- None - None
Monday Afternoon --- None - None

Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Thursday

A powerful system brings increasing moderate to heavy snowfall Tuesday night, with very heavy rain and snow along with warming temperatures on Wednesday. Snow levels rise to around 3000 ft in the Mt Baker area, 3500 ft in the Snoqualmie Pass area, and 4500 ft in the Mt Hood area. Expect widespread moderate SW ridgeline winds ahead of the system, with a strong cold front dropping temperatures rapidly as it pushes from NW to SE Wednesday night with very heavy snowfall continuing. Expect Moderat snow showers and 1000-2500 ft snow levels on Thursday.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Tuesday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Wednesday Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Wednesday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Wednesday Snow Level
None' - None'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Thursday Snow Level
None' - None'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Wednesday Snow Level
None' - None'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Thursday Snow Level
None' - None'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Wednesday Snow Level
None' - None'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Thursday 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. 25, 2024

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