Radar and satellite imagery already shows our next weather system approaching the coast this afternoon. Mountain cameras and weather stations also indicate the increase in cloud cover and wind speeds ahead of the storm. Precipitation should arrive in the Olympics and Baker areas this evening with showers eventually spreading to other mountain locations around midnight. The weakening weather front appears to fizzle out as it makes its way inland limiting the amount of precipitation you may see in the mountains. With minimal water and poor dynamics, showers seem to struggle to make it past the Cascade crest to areas further east. For many locations, this storm will result in little more than a wind event accompanied by a few inches of snow. Hurricane Ridge, Mt Baker, areas near the Crest, and the Wenatchee Mountains could see strong and gusty winds, especially as the front swings through the region overnight and into the morning hours.
Scattered showers should linger into Sunday morning for many locations. Drier air appears to seep into the region later in the day with showers tapering off from south to north. Locations further south and east may see periods of sunshine in the afternoon.
The break in the action looks short-lived Sunday night. The jet stream begins to sag southward from the British Columbia coast into Washington bringing with it several rounds of precipitation and milder air. For the moment, the weather models disagree on the strength of this initial precipitation event for Monday. However, they generally agree that snowlevels rise with this wet storm. This sets the stage for an active weather pattern for the first part of the week.
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
Saturday
Night
Rain and snow showers. Moderate to strong S to SW winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with isolated showers. Moderate SW winds.
Saturday
Night
Rain and snow showers. Strong S winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Moderate to strong S winds.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with isolated showers. Moderate S winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with scattered showers.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with showers beginning around midnight. Moderate to strong winds near the crest.
Sunday
Cloudy with isolated showers in the morning. Sun breaks possible in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with showers beginning around midnight. Moderate SE winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with scattered showers. Becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon. E winds decreasing.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with showers beginning around midnight. Moderate to strong SE winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with scattered showers. Becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon. E winds decreasing.
Saturday
Night
Mostly cloudy to cloudy. Isolated showers near the crest. Moderate SW winds.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy to cloudy. Isolated showers near the crest. Moderate SW winds.
Saturday
Night
Mostly cloudy to cloudy. Isolated showers especially near the crest. Moderate to strong SW winds
Sunday
Cloud with isolated showers in the morning. Moderate SW winds. Sun breaks possible in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Mostly cloudy to cloudy. Isolated showers near the crest. Moderate SW winds.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the morning. Moderate W winds. Sun breaks in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with scattered showers beginning around midnight. Moderate to strong SW winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with scattered showers in the morning. Sun breaks possible in the afternoon. Moderate SW winds.
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Saturday, January 9, 2021
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
Sunday
Sunday Night
Monday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0.25
LT 0.10
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area
0.25
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
0.75
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
0.50
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0
0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0.25
Paradise
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
0.50
White Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0.25
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0.25
Mission Ridge
0
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0.25
Timberline
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0.25
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0.25
Monday
0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25
Sunday
0.25
Sunday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Monday
0.75
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.25
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0.50
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.25
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.25
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0.25
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
LT 0.25
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0.50
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0.25
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0.25
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0.25
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0.25
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Saturday, January 9, 2021
Snow Level (ft)
Saturday
Evening*
Saturday
Night*
Sunday
Morning*
Sunday
Afternoon*
Sunday
Evening*
Sunday
Night*
Monday
Morning
Monday
Afternoon
Olympics
3500'
4000'
4500'
4000'
4000'
4500'
5000'
4000'
West North
2000'
3000'
3000'
4000'
4000'
4000'
4000'
4000'
West Central
2000'
2000'
2500'
4000'
4000'
4000'
4000'
4500'
West South
2500'
2500'
3500'
4500'
4000'
4000'
4000'
4500'
Stevens Pass
1500'
1500'
2500'
4000'
4000'
3500'
3000'
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass
2000'
2000'
2500'
4000'
4000'
3500'
3000'
4500'
East North
1500'
1000'
1500'
2500'
3000'
2500'
2500'
3000'
East Central
1500'
1500'
2000'
3000'
3000'
2500'
2500'
3500'
East South
2500'
2500'
3000'
4500'
4000'
3500'
4000'
4500'
Mt. Hood
3500'
2500'
4500'
5000'
5000'
5000'
5000'
5500'
Olympics
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
3500'
Saturday
Night*
4000'
Sunday
Morning*
4500'
Sunday
Afternoon*
4000'
Sunday
Evening*
4000'
Sunday
Night*
4500'
Monday
Morning
5000'
Monday
Afternoon
4000'
West North
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
2000'
Saturday
Night*
3000'
Sunday
Morning*
3000'
Sunday
Afternoon*
4000'
Sunday
Evening*
4000'
Sunday
Night*
4000'
Monday
Morning
4000'
Monday
Afternoon
4000'
West Central
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
2000'
Saturday
Night*
2000'
Sunday
Morning*
2500'
Sunday
Afternoon*
4000'
Sunday
Evening*
4000'
Sunday
Night*
4000'
Monday
Morning
4000'
Monday
Afternoon
4500'
West South
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
2500'
Saturday
Night*
2500'
Sunday
Morning*
3500'
Sunday
Afternoon*
4500'
Sunday
Evening*
4000'
Sunday
Night*
4000'
Monday
Morning
4000'
Monday
Afternoon
4500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
1500'
Saturday
Night*
1500'
Sunday
Morning*
2500'
Sunday
Afternoon*
4000'
Sunday
Evening*
4000'
Sunday
Night*
3500'
Monday
Morning
3000'
Monday
Afternoon
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
2000'
Saturday
Night*
2000'
Sunday
Morning*
2500'
Sunday
Afternoon*
4000'
Sunday
Evening*
4000'
Sunday
Night*
3500'
Monday
Morning
3000'
Monday
Afternoon
4500'
East North
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
1500'
Saturday
Night*
1000'
Sunday
Morning*
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon*
2500'
Sunday
Evening*
3000'
Sunday
Night*
2500'
Monday
Morning
2500'
Monday
Afternoon
3000'
East Central
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
1500'
Saturday
Night*
1500'
Sunday
Morning*
2000'
Sunday
Afternoon*
3000'
Sunday
Evening*
3000'
Sunday
Night*
2500'
Monday
Morning
2500'
Monday
Afternoon
3500'
East South
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
2500'
Saturday
Night*
2500'
Sunday
Morning*
3000'
Sunday
Afternoon*
4500'
Sunday
Evening*
4000'
Sunday
Night*
3500'
Monday
Morning
4000'
Monday
Afternoon
4500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
3500'
Saturday
Night*
2500'
Sunday
Morning*
4500'
Sunday
Afternoon*
5000'
Sunday
Evening*
5000'
Sunday
Night*
5000'
Monday
Morning
5000'
Monday
Afternoon
5500'
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Saturday, January 9, 2021
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
32 / 27
32 / 31
West North
30 / 27
31 / 28
West Central
29 / 26
31 / 28
West South
32 / 29
33 / 30
Stevens Pass
23 / 21
32 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass
24 / 22
31 / 24
East North
22 / 19
29 / 22
East Central
23 / 20
32 / 23
East South
26 / 22
34 / 24
Mt. Hood
31 / 28
35 / 31
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
32 / 27
Sunday
32 / 31
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
30 / 27
Sunday
31 / 28
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
29 / 26
Sunday
31 / 28
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
32 / 29
Sunday
33 / 30
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
23 / 21
Sunday
32 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
24 / 22
Sunday
31 / 24
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
22 / 19
Sunday
29 / 22
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
23 / 20
Sunday
32 / 23
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
26 / 22
Sunday
34 / 24
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
31 / 28
Sunday
35 / 31
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Saturday, January 9, 2021
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Morning
Sunday
Afternoon
Olympics
S 20-30
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
S 10-20
West North
S 25-35
SSW 25-35
SSW 15-25
S 20-30
West Central
S 15-25
SSW 15-25
SW 5-15
SW 10-20
West South
S 15-25
SSW 20-30
SW 10-20
SW 5-15
Stevens Pass
SE 10-20
S 10-20
WSW 10-20
WSW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
SSE 15-25
SE 10-20
SW 10-20
WSW 5-15
East North
S 10-20
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
WSW 10-20
East Central
SW 20-30
SW 25-35
WSW 15-25
WSW 10-20
East South
SW 15-25
WSW 15-25
WSW 10-20
WSW 10-20
Mt. Hood
SW 20-30
SW 20-30
SW 15-25
WSW 15-25
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
S
20-30
Saturday
Night
SW
15-25
Sunday
Morning
SW
15-25
Sunday
Afternoon
S
10-20
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
S
25-35
Saturday
Night
SSW
25-35
Sunday
Morning
SSW
15-25
Sunday
Afternoon
S
20-30
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
S
15-25
Saturday
Night
SSW
15-25
Sunday
Morning
SW
5-15
Sunday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
S
15-25
Saturday
Night
SSW
20-30
Sunday
Morning
SW
10-20
Sunday
Afternoon
SW
5-15
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
SE
10-20
Saturday
Night
S
10-20
Sunday
Morning
WSW
10-20
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
SSE
15-25
Saturday
Night
SE
10-20
Sunday
Morning
SW
10-20
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
5-15
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
S
10-20
Saturday
Night
SW
15-25
Sunday
Morning
SW
15-25
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
SW
20-30
Saturday
Night
SW
25-35
Sunday
Morning
WSW
15-25
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
SW
15-25
Saturday
Night
WSW
15-25
Sunday
Morning
WSW
10-20
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
SW
20-30
Saturday
Night
SW
20-30
Sunday
Morning
SW
15-25
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
15-25
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Saturday, January 9, 2021
Extended Weather Synopsis
With the jet stream trained on the Pacific Northwest, we can expect active weather through the long term forecast period. Several waves of moisture appear to spin off a parent low-pressure system and make their way to our region. However, the weather models disagree about the timing and strength of each of these waves. Additionally, subtle shifts in the jet north or south could significantly impact the amount of precipitation we receive. Despite these uncertainties, it seems clear that we sit on the wrong (warm) side of the jet stream and will see relatively high snowlevels with the precipitation.
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).