Issued: 6:53 AM PST Sunday, January 10, 2021
by Dallas Glass

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I

Weather Synopsis

A weakening front continues to fall apart as it passes over the mountains this morning bringing a few scattered showers and a dusting of snow to some trailhead locations. You could encounter a few short-lived rounds of precipitation before things begin to dry out during the day. As drier air seeps into the region, look for any remaining showers to end from south to north. Locations closer to the Canadian border should continue to experience scattered showers throughout the day and overnight. From Hwy 2 south, you may see the sun later in the day as the region catches a break before more active weather for the first part of the week.

On Monday the jet stream drifts south from Canada and focuses its firehose on the Pacific Northwest bringing more widespread rain and snow to the mountains. The heaviest precipitation appears to stay in the northern half of the forecast region. However, despite this event only being 24hr away, weather models continue to show a large spread in total precipitation during the day. Subtle shifts in the jet north or south could make a big difference in how wet you get Monday. Snow levels remain mild and hang around 3500-4500' before climbing Monday night. Warm and wet weather should continue for the first part of the week as an atmospheric river places the region in its sights. 

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
Sunday Cloudy with isolated showers. Moderate SW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered showers. Strong SW winds increasing overnight.
Sunday Cloudy with scattered showers. Moderate SSW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and snow. Strong S winds increasing overnight.
Sunday Cloudy with scattered showers. Moderate SW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with isolated showers. Strong S winds increasing overnight.
Sunday Cloudy with isolated showers in the morning. Sun breaks possible. Moderate SW winds.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy becoming cloudy. Strong SW winds.
Sunday Cloudy with isolated showers this morning. Sun break possible. Light E flow at Pass level.
Sunday Night Becoming cloudy. Light east flow at Pass level. Moderate SW ridgetop winds.
Sunday Cloudy with isolated showers in the morning. Sun breaks possible. Light E flow at Pass level. Moderate SW ridgetop winds.
Sunday Night Becoming cloudy. Light E flow at Pass level. Strong SW ridgetop winds.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Moderate SW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with isolated showers. Moderate SW winds.
Sunday Cloudy with very isolated showers in the morning. Partly cloudy to mostly sunny in the afternoon. Moderate to strong SW winds.
Sunday Night Becoming mostly cloudy overnight. Strong SW winds.
Sunday Cloudy with very isolated showers in the morning. Partly cloudy to mostly sunny in the afternoon. Moderate to strong SW winds.
Sunday Night Becoming mostly cloudy overnight. Strong SW winds.
Sunday Cloudy with isolated showers in the morning. Sun breaks possible. Moderate to strong SW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy. Strong SW winds increasing.

Precipitation (in)

Sunday Sunday Night Monday
4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.75
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0.50 - 0.75
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 0 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 0 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25
Paradise LT 0.25 0 0.50
White Pass LT 0.10 0 0.25
Washington Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 0 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline LT 0.10 0 0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.75
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25 - 0.50

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Morning* Sunday Afternoon* Sunday Evening* Sunday Night* Monday Morning* Monday Afternoon*
Olympics 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4000'
West North 3500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 4000'
West Central 3500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 4000'
West South 4000' 5000' 4000' 3500' 4000' 4500'
Stevens Pass 2500' 3500' 4000' 3000' 2500' 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 4000' 4500' 3000' 2500' 4000'
East North 1500' 2500' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2500'
East Central 2000' 3000' 3000' 2500' 2500' 3500'
East South 2500' 4500' 4000' 3500' 4000' 4500'
Mt. Hood 4500' 5500' 5500' 5500' 5000' 5500'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Morning* 4500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 4500'
Sunday Night* 4500'
Monday Morning* 4500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
West North Elevation
Sunday Morning* 3500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 4000'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Morning* 3500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 4000'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
West South Elevation
Sunday Morning* 4000'
Sunday Afternoon* 5000'
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning* 4000'
Monday Afternoon* 4500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Morning* 2500'
Sunday Afternoon* 3500'
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Morning* 2500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4000'
Sunday Evening* 4500'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
East North Elevation
Sunday Morning* 1500'
Sunday Afternoon* 2500'
Sunday Evening* 2500'
Sunday Night* 2000'
Monday Morning* 2000'
Monday Afternoon* 2500'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Morning* 2000'
Sunday Afternoon* 3000'
Sunday Evening* 3000'
Sunday Night* 2500'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 3500'
East South Elevation
Sunday Morning* 2500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning* 4000'
Monday Afternoon* 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Morning* 4500'
Sunday Afternoon* 5500'
Sunday Evening* 5500'
Sunday Night* 5500'
Monday Morning* 5000'
Monday Afternoon* 5500'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Sunday Night
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 31 / 29 31 / 29
West North 30 / 29 30 / 28
West Central 30 / 28 30 / 25
West South 32 / 30 32 / 29
Stevens Pass 32 / 25 30 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 30 / 26 29 / 23
East North 28 / 22 26 / 23
East Central 32 / 24 28 / 25
East South 33 / 26 29 / 26
Mt. Hood 34 / 29 32 / 29
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 31 / 29
Sunday Night 31 / 29
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 30 / 29
Sunday Night 30 / 28
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 30 / 28
Sunday Night 30 / 25
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 32 / 30
Sunday Night 32 / 29
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 32 / 25
Sunday Night 30 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 30 / 26
Sunday Night 29 / 23
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 28 / 22
Sunday Night 26 / 23
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 32 / 24
Sunday Night 28 / 25
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 33 / 26
Sunday Night 29 / 26
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 34 / 29
Sunday Night 32 / 29

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon Sunday Evening Sunday Night
Olympics SW 15-25 SSW 15-25 SSW 25-35 SW 40-55
West North SSW 15-25 SSW 20-30 S 30-40 S 40-55
West Central SW 10-20 SSW 15-25 S 20-30 S 25-35
West South SW 10-20 SW 15-25 SW 15-25 SW 20-30
Stevens Pass SSW 10-20 SW 10-20 SW 10-20 SW 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass SW 15-25 SW 10-20 SW 15-25 SW 20-30
East North SW 10-20 SW 15-25 SW 10-20 SW 5-15
East Central SW 20-30 SW 15-25 SW 15-25 SW 25-35
East South SW 15-25 SW 15-25 SW 20-30 WSW 25-35
Mt. Hood WSW 20-30 SW 20-30 SW 25-35 SW 35-50
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon SSW 15-25
Sunday Evening SSW 25-35
Sunday Night SW 40-55
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SSW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon SSW 20-30
Sunday Evening S 30-40
Sunday Night S 40-55
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 10-20
Sunday Afternoon SSW 15-25
Sunday Evening S 20-30
Sunday Night S 25-35
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 10-20
Sunday Afternoon SW 15-25
Sunday Evening SW 15-25
Sunday Night SW 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SSW 10-20
Sunday Afternoon SW 10-20
Sunday Evening SW 10-20
Sunday Night SW 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon SW 10-20
Sunday Evening SW 15-25
Sunday Night SW 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 10-20
Sunday Afternoon SW 15-25
Sunday Evening SW 10-20
Sunday Night SW 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 20-30
Sunday Afternoon SW 15-25
Sunday Evening SW 15-25
Sunday Night SW 25-35
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon SW 15-25
Sunday Evening SW 20-30
Sunday Night WSW 25-35
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning WSW 20-30
Sunday Afternoon SW 20-30
Sunday Evening SW 25-35
Sunday Night SW 35-50

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I

Previous forecast from Jan 9, 2021

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).

The label LT, is shorthand for ‘less than’.