Our little taste of spring is about to change...A broad area of high pressure drifts east tonight as a trough establishes itself over the region. The trough is initially fairly narrow but extends down to the PNW from a low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska. This will snap us back into winter with a cold and snowy pattern into the weekend.
Tonight, increasing cloud cover and light snow and rain showers accompany a weak pre frontal disturbance. As the front drops down from the NW, it'll bring increasing south westerly flow to Washington, and westerly flow to Mt Hood. Precipitation will initially favor the west slopes of the Cascades overnight. Cold air slowly filters into the region with this initial disturbance, but its effects won't really be felt at the Cascade Crest and East Slopes until frontal passage sometime late in the afternoon on Thursday.
Light and scattered snow and rain will increase in coverage and intensity during the day on Thursday as the front approaches the mountains. Winds and precipitation will gradually increase with the front, slated to cross Mt Hood mid-day on Thursday, and mid afternoon for the Cascades. Expect snowfall to begin accumulating rapidly with snow levels dropping fairly quickly Thursday afternoon into the evening.
Thursday evening into the night we'll be under cold, moist and unstable post frontal flow which bodes well for continued snowfall for most of our mountain areas, favoring the west slopes of the Cascades south to Mt Hood. Chances seem decent for convergence zone banding, which could enhance snowfall rates and amounts for the above mentioned areas. With strong westerly winds, we're likely to see some snowfall spill over the east slopes of the Cascades as well.
On Friday the trough axis sits over the PNW and we'll see continued stormy weather. Snow showers and winds increasingly focus on the Southwest part of Washington State and Mt Hood. It's likely the passes will continue to pick up modest snowfall, while precipitation becomes more showery for areas further north and east as the day draws to a close.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
West North
West Central
West South
Stevens Pass
Snoqualmie Pass
East North
East Central
East South
Mt. Hood
Use dropdown to select your zone
Wednesday
Night
Light and scattered rain and snow showers.
Thursday
Light rain and snow.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing clouds with light rain/snow showers overnight.
Thursday
Moderate snow showers with increasing ridgetop winds.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing clouds with light rain/snow showers overnight.
Thursday
Light to moderate snow showers with increasing ridgetop winds.
Wednesday
Night
Mostly cloudy with light rain/snow showers.
Thursday
Light to moderate snow showers with increasing ridgetop winds.
Wednesday
Night
Mostly clear to start, then becoming mostly cloudy with light rain/snow showers. Increasing light ridgeline and light W winds at the Pass.
Thursday
Increasing light snow showers with increasing ridgetop winds. Light W winds at the pass.
Wednesday
Night
Mostly clear to start, then becoming mostly cloudy with light rain/snow showers. Increasing light ridgeline and light W winds at the Pass.
Thursday
Increasing light snow showers with increasing ridgetop winds. Light W winds at the pass.
Wednesday
Night
Mostly clear with a chance of rain/snow showers in the early morning hours.
Thursday
Scattered light snow and rain showers, increasing in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing clouds with a chance of rain/snow showers.
Thursday
Scattered light snow and rain showers, increasing in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds becoming strong later.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing light rain/snow showers.
Thursday
Scattered light snow and rain showers, increasing in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds becoming strong later.
Wednesday
Night
Light to occasionally moderate rain/snow showers. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Moderate and at times heavy snow showers. Ridgetop winds becoming strong.
Issued: 2:40 PM PDT Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
Thursday
Thursday Night
Friday
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0.25
0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
LT 0.25
0.50
0.50 - 0.75
0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.25
0.25 - 0.50
0.50 - 0.75
0.25
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.25
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
0.25
Paradise
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
0.50 - 0.75
0.50
White Pass
LT 0.10
0.25
0.25
0.25
Washington Pass
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.10
0.25
0.25
LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
0.50
0.50 - 0.75
Timberline
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
0.50
0.50 - 0.75
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Friday
0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Friday
0.25
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0.25
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Friday
0.50
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
0.25
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
0.50
Friday
0.50 - 0.75
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
0.50
Friday
0.50 - 0.75
Issued: 2:40 PM PDT Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Snow Level (ft)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Thursday
Evening
Thursday
Night
Friday
Morning
Friday
Afternoon
Olympics
4000'
3000'
2000'
2000'
1500'
500'
500'
1500'
West North
3500'
3000'
2500'
2500'
2000'
1000'
500'
1500'
West Central
4000'
3500'
3000'
2500'
2000'
1000'
500'
1500'
West South
4000'
3500'
3000'
2500'
2000'
1000'
500'
1500'
Stevens Pass
4000'
3500'
3000'
3000'
2500'
1000'
500'
1500'
Snoqualmie Pass
4000'
3500'
3000'
3000'
2000'
1000'
500'
1500'
East North
3500'
3000'
2500'
3500'
3500'
1500'
500'
2500'
East Central
3500'
3500'
2500'
3500'
3500'
1000'
500'
2500'
East South
4000'
3500'
2500'
4000'
3500'
1000'
500'
2500'
Mt. Hood
4500'
3500'
2500'
2500'
1500'
1000'
500'
1500'
Olympics
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon
2000'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
1500'
West North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon
2500'
Thursday
Evening
2000'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
1500'
West Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
2500'
Thursday
Evening
2000'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
1500'
West South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
2500'
Thursday
Evening
2000'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
1500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
3000'
Thursday
Evening
2500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
1500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
3000'
Thursday
Evening
2000'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
1500'
East North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon
3500'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
1500'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
East Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon
3500'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
East South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon
2500'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
1500'
Issued: 2:40 PM PDT Wednesday, March 22, 2023
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
33 / 25
29 / 25
West North
37 / 27
29 / 26
West Central
36 / 28
29 / 25
West South
38 / 27
27 / 25
Stevens Pass
36 / 25
32 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass
36 / 28
31 / 25
East North
36 / 24
31 / 24
East Central
38 / 28
32 / 26
East South
39 / 28
32 / 28
Mt. Hood
37 / 26
30 / 26
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
33 / 25
Thursday
29 / 25
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
37 / 27
Thursday
29 / 26
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 28
Thursday
29 / 25
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
38 / 27
Thursday
27 / 25
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 25
Thursday
32 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 28
Thursday
31 / 25
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 24
Thursday
31 / 24
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
38 / 28
Thursday
32 / 26
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
39 / 28
Thursday
32 / 28
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
37 / 26
Thursday
30 / 26
Issued: 2:40 PM PDT Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
WSW 5-15
SW 10-20
SSW 10-20
SW 10-20
West North
SW 5-15
SSW 10-20
SW 15-25
S 15-25
West Central
WSW 5-15
WSW 10-20
SW 10-20
SW 10-20
West South
WNW 0-10
WSW 5-15
WSW 10-20
SW 15-25
Stevens Pass
W 5-15
WSW 5-15
WSW 5-15
W 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
W 5-15
W 5-15
W 10-20
W 15-25
East North
WSW 0-10
WSW 10-20
WSW 5-15
WSW 10-20
East Central
W 5-15
W 10-20
W 15-25
WSW 20-30
East South
WNW 0-10
W 10-20
WSW 10-20
W 20-30
Mt. Hood
W 15-25
WSW 20-30
W 30-40
W 30-40
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
SW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
SSW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
SSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
SW
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
S
15-25
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
SW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WNW
0-10
Wednesday
Night
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Morning
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
15-25
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
W
5-15
Wednesday
Night
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Morning
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
W
10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
W
5-15
Wednesday
Night
W
5-15
Thursday
Morning
W
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
W
15-25
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
0-10
Wednesday
Night
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
W
5-15
Wednesday
Night
W
10-20
Thursday
Morning
W
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
20-30
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WNW
0-10
Wednesday
Night
W
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
W
20-30
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
W
15-25
Wednesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
W
30-40
Thursday
Afternoon
W
30-40
Issued: 2:40 PM PDT Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Extended Weather Synopsis
Friday night, barring some chances for another disturbance to enhance snowfall amounts, snow showers should become lighter in nature for most of Washington State, while moderate snowfall could linger at Mt Hood. Details on what happens next are unclear at this point, but we can expect a chilly morning on Saturday with chances for continued, light snowfall for most areas.
As we move into Sunday it's likely most areas will dry out and see the sun, with a slight bump in temperatures.
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.
The 5000’ temperature forecast does not imply a trend over the 12 hr period and only represents the max and min temperatures within a 12 hr period in the zone. The 6-hr snow level forecast, the forecast discussion, and weather forecast sections may add detail regarding temperature trends.
The snow level forecast represents the general snow level over a 6 hr time period. Freezing levels are forecast when precipitation is not expected.
*Easterly or offshore flow is highlighted with an asterisk when we expect relatively cool east winds in the major Cascade Passes. Easterly flow will often lead to temperature inversions and is a key variable for forecasting precipitation type in the Cascade Passes. Strong easterly flow events can affect terrain on a more regional scale.
Ridgeline winds are the average wind speed and direction over a 6 hr time period.
The wind forecast represents an elevation range instead of a single elevation slice. The elevation range overlaps with the near and above treeline elevation bands in the avalanche forecast and differs per zone.
Wind direction indicates the direction the wind originates or comes from on the 16-point compass rose.
Water Equivalent (WE) is the liquid water equivalent of all precipitation types; rain, snow, ice pellets, etc., forecast to the hundredth of an inch at specific locations. To use WE as a proxy for snowfall amounts, start with a snow to water ratio of 10:1 (10 inches of snow = 1 inch WE). Temperatures at or near freezing will generally have a lower ratio (heavy wet snow) and very cold temperatures can have a much higher ratio (dry fluffy snow).