Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Thursday
We're in for a stormy day as a frontal system currently over northern Vancouver Island/central B.C. slowly slides south over the next 24 hours. The heaviest precipitation today will target the west slopes of the Cascades from about Hwy 2 and northward as well as the SW slopes of the Olympics. Areas further south will seem light to moderate precipitation this morning increasing in the afternoon. Precipitation will be lighter for east slopes of the Cascades south of Hwy2. Snow levels will inch upwards today, reaching around 4000-4500' in the north and 4500-5000' in the central, and 5000-5500' in the southern portions of the forecast area. If you're not currently experiencing rain at Pass level, the rain line should get there by the end of the day for the major Cascade Passes. Strong SW ridgeline winds will become extreme in the alpine.
This stormy trend will continue overnight with a strong cold front approaching through from NW. The frontal passage will occur for the central Cascades around midnight and reach Mt Hood before daybreak. Heavier precipitation and strong to extreme winds will become showers on Thursday with more moderate WSW winds. There will be a cold and unstable air mass overhead and we'll see showers continue to pepper the area, especially the west slopes of the Cascades. Convective showers will bring bouts of graupel as well as snow with snow levels hovering around 2000'.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday | Stormy with strong to extreme winds and light to moderate rain and snow. Heavier precipitation southwest slopes of the Olympics. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with strong to extreme winds and light to moderate rain and snow in the evening, then becoming light to occasionally moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds. |
West North
| Wednesday | Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow and strong to ridgeline extreme winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to occasionally moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds. |
West Central
| Wednesday | Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow and strong to extreme ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to occasionally moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds. |
West South
| Wednesday | Stormy with moderate rain and snow, occasionally heavy Paradise area, and strong ridgeline winds. Precipitation heavier in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds after midnight. |
Stevens Pass
| Wednesday | Stormy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, becoming heavier in the afternoon. Strong west winds at ridgeline and Pass level. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday | Stormy with light to moderate rain and snow, becoming heavier in the afternoon. Strong west winds at ridgeline and Pass level. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds. |
East North
| Wednesday | Stormy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, becoming heavier in the afternoon. Much lighter precipitation further east of the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with light to moderate rain and snow and strong ridgeline winds, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then becoming light showers late overnight along with decreasing winds. |
East Central
| Wednesday | Stormy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, becoming heavier in the afternoon. Much lighter precipitation further east of the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with light to moderate rain and snow and strong ridgeline winds, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then becoming light showers late overnight along with decreasing winds. |
East South
| Wednesday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, becoming heavier in the afternoon. Much lighter precipitation further east of the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with light to moderate rain and snow and strong ridgeline winds, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then becoming light showers late overnight along with decreasing winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Stormy with light to moderate rain and snow, becoming heavier in the afternoon. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 7:07 AM PST Wednesday, February 28, 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' | 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4500' | 4500' | None' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4500' | 4500' | None' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 5000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| 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' |
| 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' |
| 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' |
| 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' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| 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 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
* 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 | 0.50 | 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 2.00 | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 1.50 | 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.75 | 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 | 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0.50 | 1.00 | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.75 | 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.75 - 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 2.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 1.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Thursday | 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Thursday | 0.75 |
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: 7:07 AM PST Wednesday, February 28, 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 | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW 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 | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | SW 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 | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | SW 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. 27, 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.