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Mountain Weather Forecast

Issued: 2:31 PM PST Wednesday, March 26, 2025
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Scattered showers added some additional cloud cover today, but spring-like temperatures are in full force with afternoon mountain readings in the upper 40s to low 60s. The main shower and thunderstorm focus is still slotted for this evening as a frontal system approaches the coast. The front will take advantage of favorable convective atmospheric conditions, like a relatively humid and unstable air mass, to produce a widespread area of showers and potentially severe thunderstorms late this afternoon through the evening. Once the showers and T-storms get rolling, they should spread from south to north over the area this evening, and then drift further east later tonight. All areas are likely to be impacted, but areas west of the Cascade crest have the best chances for severe thunderstorms, with heavy downpours, large hail, and strong gusty winds. Make sure you're not caught out in these storms later today and tonight. 

Showers will become less intense later tonight as the front pushes through and snow levels will finally begin to drop a bit, especially after midnight. A stacked upper low offshore will drift closer on Thursday, keeping showers in the forecast with high uncertainty regarding timing. The Olympics and the Mt Hood area have the best chance of seeing more moderate showers on Thursday. There will be a chance of afternoon thunderstorms on Thursday, but if they do develop, they'll be less intense than the storms we're talking about for Wednesday evening. 

Unsettled weather shows no signs of relenting to end the work week. The same low-pressure system will rotate another round of showers Thursday night and again on Friday.  Snow levels will cool to levels not seen since last week, falling to 4000-4500' overnight Thursday and only rising slightly on Friday. 

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Wednesday Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Mostly cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
West North
Wednesday Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms developing in the evening, then lighter showers late tonight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
West Central
Wednesday Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
West South
Wednesday Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Stevens Pass
Wednesday Night Moderate to locally heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light WSW ridgeline winds in the morning, becoming light to moderate SE winds in the afternoon. Light east winds at Pass level.
Snoqualmie Pass
Wednesday Night Moderate to locally heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light WSW ridgeline winds in the morning, becoming light to moderate SE winds in the afternoon. Light east winds at Pass level.
East North
Wednesday Night Moderate showers or thunderstorms developing later in the evening, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then lighter showers late tonight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
East Central
Wednesday Night Moderate showers or thunderstorms developing in the evening, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then lighter showers late tonight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
East South
Wednesday Night Moderate showers or thunderstorms in the evening, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Mt. Hood
Wednesday Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.

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' 8500' 8500' None' 9000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 6500' 6500' None' 7000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 6000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level None' None' None' None' 6500' 6500' None' 6500'
Thursday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5500' 5500' None' 5500'
Thursday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 4500'
Friday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 4500'
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
8500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Thursday Night Snow Level
4500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
8500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Thursday Night Snow Level
4500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
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
9000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
7000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Thursday Night Snow Level
4500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'

* 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
5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.75 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.75 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass 0.50 LT 0.10 0.25 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25
Crystal Mt 0.75 LT 0.25 0.25 0.25
Paradise 0.75 - 1.00 0.25 0.50 0.50
White Pass 0.75 LT 0.25 0.50 0.25
Washington Pass 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.50 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50
0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.75
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night 0.50
Friday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.75
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday 0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night 0.25
Friday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.75
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25
Friday 0.25
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.75 - 1.00
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night 0.50
Friday 0.50
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.75
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night 0.50
Friday 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Friday 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night 0.75
Friday 0.25 - 0.50

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 WSW None - None
Thursday Morning --- 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 WSW None - None
Thursday Morning SW None - None
Thursday Afternoon SSW 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 WSW None - None
Thursday Morning SW None - None
Thursday Afternoon SSW 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
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

Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday

The upper low becomes an open upper level trough late Friday into Saturday, lifting northeast across the area. Expect cool conditions and generally lighter showers, although they look more persistent along the west slopes of the Cascades from Hwy2 to the Canadian border.  We may have a break day on Sunday with some sunshine, or not, before unsettled weather returns.  

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'
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 March 26, 2025

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