Following a weak front that moved through the area today, showers in the form of a convergence zone have formed along the west slopes of the central Cascades. Shower activity should be short-lived through this evening. Strong upper level ridging will build offshore tonight as we begin to dry out. While many areas will see clear skies after midnight, areas of low clouds will form east of the Cascades tonight. These same low clouds will likely start to infiltrate the Cascade Passes before daybreak as offshore flow and easterly winds increase.
Most of the region will enjoy a dry, cool and sunny morning on Saturday before high clouds increase in the afternoon. Low clouds should hang tough in the Cascade Passes and along the lower slopes on the east side of the Cascades. The front will move inland Saturday night with decreasing showers on Sunday. With the parent low curling north into SE Alaska, this system will weaken as it moves into our region. Sunbreaks are likely Sunday afternoon and snow levels will moderate into the 4000-5000' range.
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
Friday
Night
Partly cloudy in the evening, becoming mostly clear after midnight.
Saturday
Filtered sunshine in the morning, becoming overcast in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow late.
Friday
Night
Mostly cloudy in the evening, becoming mostly clear late.
Saturday
Mostly sunny in the morning except for low clouds lower slopes and valleys. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the evening, becoming mostly clear late.
Saturday
Mostly sunny in the morning except for low clouds lower slopes and valleys. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the evening, becoming mostly clear after midnight.
Saturday
Mostly sunny in the morning except for low clouds lower slopes and valleys. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the evening. Mostly clear after midnight with areas of low clouds. Light winds at Pass level.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy lower and mid slopes, clear higher elevations. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon. East winds at Pass level increasing to moderate in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the evening. Mostly clear after midnight with areas of low clouds. Light winds at Pass level.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy lower and mid slopes, clear higher elevations. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon. East winds at Pass level increasing to moderate in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Mostly cloudy in the evening. Mostly clear after midnight with areas of low clouds.
Saturday
Mostly sunny in the morning except for low clouds lower slopes and valleys. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Mostly cloudy in the evening. Mostly clear after midnight with areas of low clouds.
Saturday
Mostly sunny in the morning except for low clouds lower slopes and valleys. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Partly cloudy in the evening. Mostly clear after midnight with areas of low clouds.
Saturday
Mostly sunny in the morning except for low clouds lower slopes and valleys. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Mostly cloudy in the evening with a chance of showers. Mostly clear after midnight.
Saturday
Mostly sunny in the morning. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon.
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Friday, January 8, 2021
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
Saturday
Saturday Night
Sunday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0
0
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
0
0
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.25
0.25
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.25
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.10
0
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Paradise
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.25
0.25
White Pass
0
0
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
0
0
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
0
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0
0
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Timberline
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
0.25
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0.25
Sunday
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
0.25
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
LT 0.25
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
LT 0.25
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Friday, January 8, 2021
Snow Level (ft)
Friday
Evening
Friday
Night
Saturday
Morning*
Saturday
Afternoon*
Saturday
Evening*
Saturday
Night*
Sunday
Morning
Sunday
Afternoon
Olympics
2000'
2000'
3000'
5000'
4000'
4500'
4500'
4000'
West North
1500'
1500'
2500'
4000'
3000'
2500'
3500'
3500'
West Central
2000'
1500'
2500'
3500'
3000'
2500'
3500'
4000'
West South
2000'
1500'
2500'
3500'
5000'
4000'
4500'
4500'
Stevens Pass
1500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
1500'
2000'
2500'
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass
2000'
1500'
2000'
2500'
2000'
3000'
3000'
4000'
East North
1500'
1000'
1000'
1500'
1500'
1500'
1500'
3500'
East Central
2000'
1500'
1500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
2000'
3500'
East South
2000'
1500'
2000'
2000'
2500'
2500'
2500'
4000'
Mt. Hood
2500'
2500'
3000'
3500'
5000'
4500'
4500'
5000'
Olympics
Elevation
Friday
Evening
2000'
Friday
Night
2000'
Saturday
Morning*
3000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
5000'
Saturday
Evening*
4000'
Saturday
Night*
4500'
Sunday
Morning
4500'
Sunday
Afternoon
4000'
West North
Elevation
Friday
Evening
1500'
Friday
Night
1500'
Saturday
Morning*
2500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
4000'
Saturday
Evening*
3000'
Saturday
Night*
2500'
Sunday
Morning
3500'
Sunday
Afternoon
3500'
West Central
Elevation
Friday
Evening
2000'
Friday
Night
1500'
Saturday
Morning*
2500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
3500'
Saturday
Evening*
3000'
Saturday
Night*
2500'
Sunday
Morning
3500'
Sunday
Afternoon
4000'
West South
Elevation
Friday
Evening
2000'
Friday
Night
1500'
Saturday
Morning*
2500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
3500'
Saturday
Evening*
5000'
Saturday
Night*
4000'
Sunday
Morning
4500'
Sunday
Afternoon
4500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Friday
Evening
1500'
Friday
Night
1500'
Saturday
Morning*
1500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
2000'
Saturday
Evening*
1500'
Saturday
Night*
2000'
Sunday
Morning
2500'
Sunday
Afternoon
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Friday
Evening
2000'
Friday
Night
1500'
Saturday
Morning*
2000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
2500'
Saturday
Evening*
2000'
Saturday
Night*
3000'
Sunday
Morning
3000'
Sunday
Afternoon
4000'
East North
Elevation
Friday
Evening
1500'
Friday
Night
1000'
Saturday
Morning*
1000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
1500'
Saturday
Evening*
1500'
Saturday
Night*
1500'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
3500'
East Central
Elevation
Friday
Evening
2000'
Friday
Night
1500'
Saturday
Morning*
1500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
1500'
Saturday
Evening*
1500'
Saturday
Night*
2000'
Sunday
Morning
2000'
Sunday
Afternoon
3500'
East South
Elevation
Friday
Evening
2000'
Friday
Night
1500'
Saturday
Morning*
2000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
2000'
Saturday
Evening*
2500'
Saturday
Night*
2500'
Sunday
Morning
2500'
Sunday
Afternoon
4000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Friday
Evening
2500'
Friday
Night
2500'
Saturday
Morning*
3000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
3500'
Saturday
Evening*
5000'
Saturday
Night*
4500'
Sunday
Morning
4500'
Sunday
Afternoon
5000'
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Friday, January 8, 2021
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Friday
Night
Saturday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
19 / 16
31 / 18
West North
23 / 16
29 / 17
West Central
25 / 18
26 / 20
West South
25 / 18
30 / 20
Stevens Pass
26 / 18
25 / 18
Snoqualmie Pass
25 / 18
24 / 18
East North
25 / 19
23 / 18
East Central
26 / 19
24 / 18
East South
23 / 18
28 / 17
Mt. Hood
25 / 18
30 / 19
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
19 / 16
Saturday
31 / 18
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
23 / 16
Saturday
29 / 17
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
25 / 18
Saturday
26 / 20
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
25 / 18
Saturday
30 / 20
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
26 / 18
Saturday
25 / 18
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
25 / 18
Saturday
24 / 18
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
25 / 19
Saturday
23 / 18
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
26 / 19
Saturday
24 / 18
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
23 / 18
Saturday
28 / 17
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
25 / 18
Saturday
30 / 19
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Friday, January 8, 2021
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
Friday
Night
Saturday
Morning
Saturday
Afternoon
Olympics
NW 5-15
W 0-10
SE 5-15
S 10-20
West North
W 0-10
W 0-10
S 5-15
S 10-20
West Central
W 0-10
W 0-10
SSE 5-15
S 10-20
West South
NW 5-15
NW 0-10
SE 5-15
SE 15-25
Stevens Pass
WNW 5-15
WNW 0-10
SE 5-15
SE 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
WNW 5-15
W 0-10
SE 5-15
SE 10-20
East North
NW 5-15
VAR 0-10
S 5-15
SW 5-15
East Central
WNW 5-15
W 0-10
S 5-15
S 10-20
East South
WNW 5-15
W 0-10
S 5-15
S 10-20
Mt. Hood
NW 5-15
W 0-10
S 5-15
S 10-20
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
NW
5-15
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
SE
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
S
10-20
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
0-10
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
S
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
S
10-20
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
0-10
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
SSE
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
S
10-20
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
NW
5-15
Friday
Night
NW
0-10
Saturday
Morning
SE
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
SE
15-25
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Friday
Night
WNW
0-10
Saturday
Morning
SE
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
SE
5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
SE
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
SE
10-20
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
NW
5-15
Friday
Night
VAR
0-10
Saturday
Morning
S
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
SW
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
S
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
S
10-20
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
S
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
S
10-20
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
NW
5-15
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
S
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
S
10-20
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Friday, January 8, 2021
Extended Weather Synopsis
A warm frontal feature will mainly clip the Olympics and the northwest the Cascades Sunday night and Monday with lighter precipitation further south and east. This will be the opening act before an atmospheric river that models agree will arrive sometime Monday night and Tuesday. Heavy precipitation and strong winds are likely on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll be on the mild side of the jet stream that's directed into south-central British Columbia through the middle of next week.
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).