Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Saturday
While the calendar has turned to March and the first day of meteorological spring, the weather pattern has firmly decided it's still winter. An upper-level trough over the region will be the dominant weather feature over the next few days. While the storm track pummels California with heavy precipitation, we'll see showers and low snow levels.
Today, showers will be focused on the Olympic peninsula and more scattered over the Cascades this morning. An upper level disturbance will enhance shower activity this afternoon through this evening and turn the flow aloft more southerly. While the precipitation amounts are not impressive by PNW standards, low density snow will easily squeeze out a few inches with prolonged showers. The air mass is unstable, so you may see graupel mix in during the afternoon and heavier showers. Snow levels will rise to around 1500-2000' each day and with freezing levels 500-1000' higher and fall to near sea-level overnight. Temperatures will fall rapidly with height, so if you're planning to push into upper elevations, be prepared for temperatures in the teens. We'll see periods of moderate to locally strong ridgeline winds.
We'll see a compact low pressure system bring more showers and bring a ramp up in wind Friday night, followed by a switch to WSW winds on Saturday. There's low confidence in the timing of individual weather features in this pattern.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Friday | Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers. Heaviest showers southwest slopes of the Olymipcs. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Friday Night | Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers. Heaviest showers southwest slopes of the Olymipcs. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
West North
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light snow showers this morning, then becoming light to moderate showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
West Central
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light snow showers this morning, then becoming light to occasionally moderate showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
West South
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
Stevens Pass
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate scattered snow showers. Periods of moderate Pass level and ridgeline S-SE winds. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate SE Pass level and ridgeline winds. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate scattered snow showers. Periods of moderate Pass level and ridgeline S-SE winds. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate SE Pass level and ridgeline winds. |
East North
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered snow showers becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds. |
East Central
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered snow showers becoming light to occasionally moderate midday. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light scattered snow showers becoming light to occasionally moderate midday. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 7:03 AM PST Friday, March 1, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 500' | 500' | None' | 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2500' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 500' | 500' | None' | 500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 0' | 0' | None' | 0' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 500' | 500' | None' | 500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1500' | 1500' | None' | 1500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Saturday 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
| Friday | Friday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 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: 7:03 AM PST Friday, March 1, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Friday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SE None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | SW None - None |
| Friday Evening | SE None - None |
| Friday Night | SW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | SW None - None |
| Friday Evening | SE None - None |
| Friday 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. 29, 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.