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 Thursday night through Saturday
Early this afternoon, convective clouds have bubbled up over the higher terrain of the northwest Cascades along with a few high clouds floating in from the west, but otherwise skies are mostly sunny across the mountains with highs in the 20s and 30s. We'll see a slow uptick in cloud cover tonight as a Pacific frontal system nears, with partly to mostly clear skies down near Mt Hood and along the east slopes of the Cascades gradually thickening closer to the Canadian border and over the Olympics.
Warm frontal moisture will brush our region on Friday, with light to occasionally moderate precipitation reaching the Olympics and the northwest Cascades along with strong southerly winds. Precipitation is unlikely to move inland as the front becomes more north-south oriented and warm frontal precipitation lifts north. The Mt Hood area and the south/central WA will see more sunshine along with milder temperatures. Offshore gradients will increase during the day, so these areas should also expect an increase in S-SE ridgeline winds.
Windy conditions will continue Friday night as the frontal system inches closer and precipitation returns to the Olympics and northwest Cascades. The front will pass through the Cascades mid-morning. This should lead to a brief period of more moderate precipitation, followed by post-frontal showers in SW flow. While it won't be a soaker or major winter storm, Saturday will be a wet and breezy day with snow levels between 3000-4000'.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Thursday Night | Partly cloudy in the evening, then cloudy after midnight with a chance of light rain or snow late. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate overnight. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
West North
| Thursday Night | Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy after midnight with a slight chance of light rain or snow late. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate overnight. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
West Central
| Thursday Night | Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy after midnight with increasing high and mid clouds. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain or snow. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
West South
| Thursday Night | Mostly clear in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight with increasing high clouds. |
| Friday | Partly to mostly sunny in the morning, then partly to mostly cloudy with increasing high and mid clouds in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
Stevens Pass
| Thursday Night | Mostly clear in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight with increasing high clouds. Light WNW ridgeline winds and light east wind at Pass level. |
| Friday | Partly sunny in the morning, then mostly cloudy with increasing high and mid clouds in the afternoon. S-SE ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday Night | Mostly clear in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight with increasing high clouds. Light WNW ridgeline winds and light east wind at Pass level. |
| Friday | Partly sunny in the morning, then mostly cloudy with increasing high and mid clouds in the afternoon. S-SE ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level. |
East North
| Thursday Night | Mostly clear in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight with increasing high clouds. |
| Friday | Partly sunny in the morning, then mostly cloudy with increasing high and mid clouds in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
East Central
| Thursday Night | Mostly clear in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight with increasing high clouds. |
| Friday | Mostly sunny in the morning, then partly to mostly cloudy with increasing high and mid clouds in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
East South
| Thursday Night | Mostly clear. A few passing high clouds after midnight. |
| Friday | Mostly sunny in the morning, then partly sunny with high clouds in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday Night | Mostly clear. A few passing high clouds after midnight. |
| Friday | Mostly sunny in the morning, then partly sunny with high clouds in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:05 PM PST Thursday, March 7, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 3000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1500' | 1500' | None' | 3000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4500' | 4500' | None' | 7500' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 4000' | None' | 7000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 4000' | None' | 6500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
* 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
| Thursday Night | Friday | Friday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.75 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.75 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| 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: 2:05 PM PST Thursday, March 7, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | S None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W None - None |
| Thursday Night | WSW None - None |
| Friday Morning | SW None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | S None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W None - None |
| Thursday Night | WSW None - None |
| Friday Morning | SW None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | S 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday 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: 2:05 PM PST Thursday, March 7, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Monday
An active and progressive weather pattern continues with showers Saturday night followed by another N-S oriented frontal system Sunday, and then another one Monday night. Snow levels will bump between 2000-4000' during this period along with bouts of strong winds. The last storm may be the strongest of the trio before we head into a drier and eventually warmer pattern late next week.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Sunday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
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 March 7, 2024
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