Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Tuesday
A significant winter storm continues to impact the Pacific Northwest through the weekend and into early next week. Although the cold front passed through the region on Sunday, an upper trough moving onshore Sunday afternoon will keep the snow stacking up in our mountains as snow levels drop below the major passes Sunday evening. Snow levels continue to lower through early Monday. Generally light to moderate westerly ridgeline winds will focus the moderate convective snow shower activity on the west slopes of the Cascades. As of Sunday afternoon, a heavy convergence band has formed Sunday afternoon over the Skagit Valley. This should gradually shift southward into the Mountain loop later in the day, and then over Stevens and Snoqualmie passes during the evening.
Monday morning will continue to bring periods snow showers to the west slopes and areas areas near the crest of the Cascades, with some possibility of lingering convergence zone activity in the central Cascades. Snow levels should remain low for November...mostly below 2000 ft, so expect high snow-to-liquid ratios. Snow showers gradually decrease and become mostly light on Monday afternoon and evening. However, areas from Paradise southward to Mt Hood could continue to see moderate snow showers Monday night.
Mostly light snow showers continue across the region on Tuesday as a deep upper low and rapidly intensifying surface low form in our offshore waters. By Tuesday afternoon this low is 946 mb, rivaling the strength of hurricanes. This will bring intensifying E winds through the mountain passes.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Sunday Night | Increasing light to moderate rain and snow showers. Generally light ridgeline winds. Gradual cooling. |
| Monday | Light snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
West North
| Sunday Night | Moderate snow showers (locally heavy at times). Generally light ridgeline winds. Gradual cooling trend. |
| Monday | Light to moderate snow showers. Generally light ridgeline winds. |
West Central
| Sunday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and snow showers (especially in convergence from the Mountain Loop southward during the evening hours). Generally light ridgeline winds. Gradual cooling trend. |
| Monday | Decreasing moderate snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
West South
| Sunday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and snow showers, heaviest at Paradise. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. Gradual cooling trend. |
| Monday | Deacreasing light to moderate snow showers (heaviest at Paradise). Moderate ridgeline winds focusing on areas near the Cascade Crest. |
Stevens Pass
| Sunday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and snow showers (especially in convergence from the Mountain Loop southward during the evening hours). Generally light ridgeline W wind at the Pass. Gradual cooling trend. |
| Monday | Decreasing light to moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Sunday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and snow showers (especially in convergence from the Mountain Loop southward during the evening hours). Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. Gradual cooling trend. |
| Monday | Decreasing light to moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. |
East North
| Sunday Night | Light snow showers. Generally light ridgeline winds. Gradual cooling trend. |
| Monday | Decreasing light snow showers focused on the western part. Generally light ridgeline winds. |
East Central
| Sunday Night | Light rain and snow showers focused on the western part. Moderate ridgeline winds. Gradual cooling trend. |
| Monday | Light snow showers focused on the western part. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| Sunday Night | Light rain and snow showers focusing on the western part. Moderate ridgeline winds. Gradual cooling trend. |
| Monday | Generally light snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds gradually decrease. Gradual cooling trend. |
| Monday | Decreasing moderate snow showers. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds with strong gusts. |
Issued: 2:28 PM PST Sunday, November 17, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2500' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2000' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1500' | 1500' | None' | 2000' |
| Monday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1000' | 1000' | None' | 1500' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1000' | 1000' | None' | 1500' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 500' | 500' | None' | 2000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level* | None' | None' | None' | None' | 1500' | 1500' | None' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Sunday Night | Monday | Monday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 1.00 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
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: 2:28 PM PST Sunday, November 17, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WNW None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW None - None |
| Sunday Night | WSW None - None |
| Monday Morning | WNW None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW None - None |
| Sunday Night | WSW None - None |
| Monday Morning | WNW None - None |
| Monday 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.
Issued: 2:28 PM PST Sunday, November 17, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Thursday
The aforementioned very deep low remains offshore but will bring some very intense weather to our region, particularly on Tuesday night. Expect strong and locally extreme E winds through the mountain passes and western foothills of the Cascades. Moderate upslope snowfall is likely on the east slopes of the Cascades, along with a warming trend west of the Cascade Crest, as moderate to locally heavy precipitation spreads throughout the region. East winds gradually ease on Wednesday as milder air continues to make inroads from the south. Waves of moisture continue to arrive from the SSW Wednesday night and Thursday. Throughout the period expect mostly mountain snow near and east of the Cascade Crest with rain and snow mixing further west.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Thursday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
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 I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Nov. 16, 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.