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 Monday night through Wednesday
NWAC will be closed Tuesday, March 12th as we gather and grieve following the death of one our forecasters, Matt Primomo. We will not issue regular avalanche or mountain weather forecasts on Tuesday. We will return to normal operations on Wednesday, March 13th. We appreciate the community's understanding and support during this time.
The third and strongest in a series of progressive frontal systems arrives Monday night. Light to moderate snowfall spread into the the Cascades by the end of the day on Monday. As a well-developed cold front moves through the region during the evening hours, expect moderate to heavy rain and snow, moderate to occasionally strong SSW ridgeline winds, and a brief period of warming. Snow levels peak around 3000-3500 ft in the early evening hours before cooling begins overnight. E flow could keep Snoqualmie Pass proper as wet snow with temperatures hovering around or slightly above freezing. Moderate snow showers continue as winds shift towards the SW or WSW overnight, gradually decreasing in most areas.
Moderate snow showers continue on Tuesday as the deep upper trough brings cooling aloft, creating increased convection by the afternoon, but snow levels lower from 3000 to 2500 ft. A significant convergence band likely forms around Mt Baker early Tuesday and drop southward as the day progresses. It should reach Stevens Pass by the end of the day and likely reaches Snoqualmie Pass during the evening hours.
Snow showers taper Tuesday night as the trough exits to the east and flow aloft shifts to the NNW. Expect minor amounts of trapped low-level moisture to bring a few flurries to parts of the west slopes of the Cascades very early in the day. Skies transition to partly to mostly sunny on Wednesday as a ridge builds and expands offshore.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Monday Night | Moderate rain and snow (heavy southern and eastern Olympics) transitioning to decreasing showers. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Tuesday | Decreasing generally light snow showers. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
West North
| Monday Night | Heavy rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds gradually decreasing overnight. |
| Tuesday | Decreasing moderate snow showers, locally heavy in convergence during the morning hours. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
West Central
| Monday Night | Decreasing moderate to heavy rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Tuesday | Decreasing moderate snow showers, locally heavy in convergence, which shifts from north to south across the zone during the day. |
West South
| Monday Night | For the volcanoes: Heavy rain and snow transitions to moderate showers overnight. For Crystal and White Pass: Moderate rain and snow transitions to showers overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Tuesday | Decreasing light to moderate snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
Stevens Pass
| Monday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow. Light to moderate ridgeline and light E wind switching W at the Pass in the early morning hours. |
| Tuesday | Moderate snow showers, locally heavy in convergence. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Monday Night | Moderate rain and snow. Light to moderate ridgeline and light E wind switching W at the Pass in the early morning hours. |
| Tuesday | Moderate snow showers, locally heavy in convergence. Moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. |
East North
| Monday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Tuesday | Decreasing light snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East Central
| Monday Night | Moderate rain and snow transitioning to light showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Tuesday | Mostly light snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| Monday Night | Moderate rain and snow transitioning to light showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Tuesday | Mostly light snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Monday Night | Moderate rain and snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
| Tuesday | Moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 2:46 PM PST Monday, March 11, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Evening | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3500' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3500' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2500' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1500' | 1500' | None' | 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1500' | 1500' | None' | 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday 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
| Monday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.75 | 0.25 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
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: 2:46 PM PST Monday, March 11, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | SW None - None |
| Monday Night | WSW None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | SW None - None |
| Monday Night | WSW None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | --- None - None |
| Monday Night | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Tuesday 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: 2:46 PM PST Monday, March 11, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Friday
The ridge of high pressure amplifies and brings warming temperatures aloft. Expect inversions during the morning hours and significantly milder temperatures late Thursday. Expect much more significant warming on Friday as freezing levels rise up to 10000 ft in the afternoon once the low-level inversions mix out.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Thursday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Friday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
* 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 11, 2024
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