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 Wednesday night through Friday
A powerful and slow-moving frontal system continues to slam into the Pacific Northwest, delivering moderate to heavy rain and snow along with strong to extreme SW winds. Stormy conditions will persist tonight, with snow levels peaking this afternoon and through this evening in the 4000-4500' for the north Cascades, 4500-5000' for the central Cascades/Olymipcs, 5000-5500' for the south Washington Cascades, and 5500-6000' for Mt Hood. The cold front will sag south from the NW tonight, passing through the central Cascades around midnight with heavier precipitation and the strongest winds lingering through the wee morning hours for the South Washington Cascades and Mt Hood.
Steady precipitation will transition to showers late tonight and Thursday with a sharp cooling trend following the frontal passage. A cold upper level trough will move offshore, setting up a cold unstable air mass over the area. Showers will pile up the more additional snow, especially along the west slopes of the Cascades with a highlight on the Mt Baker area and the SW slopes of the Olymipcs. Expect much lighter accumulations east of the Cascade crest along with slightly warmer temps and some afternoon sunbreaks. Expect plenty of graupel in heavier showers, especially during the afternoon and evening.
Our cold pattern thanks to the upper level trough positioned offshore will continue on Friday with additional light to locally moderate snow showers.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with strong to extreme winds and moderate to locally heavy rain and snow in the evening, then becoming light to occasionally moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds. Heaviest precipitation SW slopes of the Olymipcs. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. Heaviest precipitation SW slopes of the Olymipcs. |
West North
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with moderate snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West Central
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West South
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow and strong to extreme ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate to strong ridgeline winds after midnight. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Stevens Pass
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline and Pass level W winds. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline and Pass level W winds. |
East North
| 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. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with scattered showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East Central
| 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. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with scattered showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| 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. |
| Thursday | Light to moderate snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds. |
| Thursday | Light to moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 2:02 PM 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 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' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2000' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1000' | 1000' | None' | 1500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 500' | 500' | None' | 1000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1000' | 1000' | None' | 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
* 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 Night | Thursday | Thursday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.00 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.75 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Thursday | 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Thursday | 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
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: 2:02 PM PST Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | SW None - None |
| Thursday Morning | W None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Wednesday Night | SW None - None |
| Thursday Morning | W None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Night | --- None - None |
| Thursday Morning | --- None - None |
| Thursday 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: 2:02 PM PST Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday
Snow levels will stay quite low Friday night through the weekend, generally falling near or just above sea-level overnight and rebounding to 1500-2500' during the day. Upper level disturbances rotating out of the upper low will add some vigor and focus to the showers but timing these features will be difficult. Mountain locations will see incremental shots of lower density snow accumulate every 12 hrs as we roll into early March.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday |
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. 28, 2024
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