Issued: 7:03 AM PST Thursday, March 4, 2021
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

A north-south oriented frontal band associated with a deep low pressure off the central British Columbia coast will slowly inch closer to the coast today and bring precipitation to the Olympic peninsula by mid-day. Waves of high clouds out ahead of the frontal boundary will make for a mix of high clouds and sunshine through early afternoon for the Cascades before ceilings drop in the mid-late afternoon. S-SE winds have already increased in a few areas this morning and winds will increase further today and tonight. Freezing levels will stay the mildest the longest for areas that stay east of the frontal boundary. 

A second wave developing along the same N-S frontal boundary will spread warm frontal precipitation over the north Cascades and Olympics tonight. Precipitation could become moderate or even heavy over the Olympics and Mt Baker area through tomorrow. The central and south Washington Cascades should receive much lighter precipitation totals through this event. The frontal boundary will slowly push inland tomorrow afternoon but will wait until Friday night to pass through the Cascades.  

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
Thursday Mostly cloudy this morning. Cloudy with light rain and snow developing mid-day. Strong ridgeline winds.
Thursday Night Light to moderate rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Thursday Partly to mostly cloudy through early afternoon. Becoming overcast with clouds lowering late this afternoon. Ridgeline winds increasing and becoming strong.
Thursday Night Light to moderate rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Thursday Partly sunny with periods of filtered sunshine and high clouds through early afternoon. Becoming overcast with clouds lowering late this afternoon.
Thursday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow.
Thursday Partly sunny with periods of filtered sunshine and high clouds through early afternoon. Becoming overcast with clouds lowering late this afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds.
Thursday Night Cloudy with occasional light rain and snow.
Thursday Partly sunny with periods of filtered sunshine and high clouds through early afternoon. Becoming overcast with clouds lowering late this afternoon. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level.
Thursday Night Cloudy with occasional light rain and snow. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level.
Thursday Partly sunny with periods of filtered sunshine and high clouds through early afternoon. Becoming overcast with clouds lowering late this afternoon.Light to moderate east winds at Pass level.
Thursday Night Cloudy with occasional light rain and snow. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level.
Thursday Partly sunny with periods of filtered sunshine and high clouds.
Thursday Night Cloudy with occasional light rain and snow.
Thursday Partly sunny with periods of filtered sunshine and high clouds.
Thursday Night Cloudy with occasional light rain and snow near the Cascade crest.
Thursday Mostly sunny with occasional high clouds.
Thursday Night Cloudy.
Thursday Mostly sunny with occasional high clouds.
Thursday Night Cloudy. Strong ridgeline winds.

Precipitation (in)

Thursday Thursday Night Friday
4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 - 0.75
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 0.75 1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 0.25 - 0.50 0.50
Stevens Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0 LT 0.10 0.25
Paradise 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass 0 0 LT 0.25
Washington Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 0 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0 LT 0.25
Timberline 0 0 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Friday 0.50 - 0.75
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0.75
Friday 1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0.25
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0.25

Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon Thursday Evening* Thursday Night* Friday Morning* Friday Afternoon
Olympics 5000' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 3500'
West North 6500' 5000' 4000' 4500' 4000' 4000'
West Central 6000' 5500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4500'
West South 6000' 6000' 5500' 5500' 5500' 4500'
Stevens Pass 6000' 5500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 6500' 5500' 5500' 6000' 5500' 4500'
East North 4000' 5000' 4500' 4000' 4000' 4500'
East Central 5500' 5500' 5000' 4500' 4500' 5000'
East South 6000' 6500' 6000' 5500' 5500' 5000'
Mt. Hood 7000' 7500' 7500' 7000' 6500' 6000'
Olympics Elevation
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'
Thursday Evening* 4000'
Thursday Night* 4500'
Friday Morning* 4500'
Friday Afternoon 3500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Morning 6500'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Thursday Evening* 4000'
Thursday Night* 4500'
Friday Morning* 4000'
Friday Afternoon 4000'
West Central Elevation
Thursday Morning 6000'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
Thursday Evening* 4500'
Thursday Night* 4500'
Friday Morning* 4000'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
West South Elevation
Thursday Morning 6000'
Thursday Afternoon 6000'
Thursday Evening* 5500'
Thursday Night* 5500'
Friday Morning* 5500'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Thursday Morning 6000'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
Thursday Evening* 4500'
Thursday Night* 4500'
Friday Morning* 4000'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Morning 6500'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
Thursday Evening* 5500'
Thursday Night* 6000'
Friday Morning* 5500'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
East North Elevation
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Thursday Evening* 4500'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday Morning* 4000'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
East Central Elevation
Thursday Morning 5500'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
Thursday Evening* 5000'
Thursday Night* 4500'
Friday Morning* 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
East South Elevation
Thursday Morning 6000'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening* 6000'
Thursday Night* 5500'
Friday Morning* 5500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Morning 7000'
Thursday Afternoon 7500'
Thursday Evening* 7500'
Thursday Night* 7000'
Friday Morning* 6500'
Friday Afternoon 6000'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Thursday Thursday Night
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 31 / 28 30 / 28
West North 36 / 32 32 / 28
West Central 39 / 32 33 / 31
West South 40 / 32 34 / 31
Stevens Pass 40 / 32 34 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 38 / 32 33 / 31
East North 39 / 29 35 / 31
East Central 39 / 31 36 / 32
East South 41 / 32 38 / 30
Mt. Hood 42 / 32 39 / 33
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 31 / 28
Thursday Night 30 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 36 / 32
Thursday Night 32 / 28
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 39 / 32
Thursday Night 33 / 31
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 40 / 32
Thursday Night 34 / 31
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 40 / 32
Thursday Night 34 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 38 / 32
Thursday Night 33 / 31
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 39 / 29
Thursday Night 35 / 31
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 39 / 31
Thursday Night 36 / 32
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 41 / 32
Thursday Night 38 / 30
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday 42 / 32
Thursday Night 39 / 33

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon Thursday Evening Thursday Night
Olympics S 20-30 S 25-35 S 10-20 S 25-35
West North S 15-25 S 20-30 S 20-30 S 20-30
West Central SSE 10-20 SSE 15-25 SSE 10-20 SSE 15-25
West South SSE 15-25 SSW 20-30 SE 15-25 SSE 25-35
Stevens Pass SE 5-15 SE 10-20 SE 5-15 SE 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass SE 5-15 SE 10-20 SE 10-20 SE 20-30
East North S 5-15 SSE 10-20 S 15-25 SSE 20-30
East Central S 5-15 S 10-20 S 15-25 S 20-30
East South S 5-15 S 10-20 S 10-20 S 15-25
Mt. Hood S 10-20 S 10-20 S 15-25 SSW 20-30
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning S 20-30
Thursday Afternoon S 25-35
Thursday Evening S 10-20
Thursday Night S 25-35
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning S 15-25
Thursday Afternoon S 20-30
Thursday Evening S 20-30
Thursday Night S 20-30
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning SSE 10-20
Thursday Afternoon SSE 15-25
Thursday Evening SSE 10-20
Thursday Night SSE 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning SSE 15-25
Thursday Afternoon SSW 20-30
Thursday Evening SE 15-25
Thursday Night SSE 25-35
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning SE 5-15
Thursday Afternoon SE 10-20
Thursday Evening SE 5-15
Thursday Night SE 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning SE 5-15
Thursday Afternoon SE 10-20
Thursday Evening SE 10-20
Thursday Night SE 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning S 5-15
Thursday Afternoon SSE 10-20
Thursday Evening S 15-25
Thursday Night SSE 20-30
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning S 5-15
Thursday Afternoon S 10-20
Thursday Evening S 15-25
Thursday Night S 20-30
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning S 5-15
Thursday Afternoon S 10-20
Thursday Evening S 10-20
Thursday Night S 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Morning S 10-20
Thursday Afternoon S 10-20
Thursday Evening S 15-25
Thursday Night SSW 20-30

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

Previous forecast from Mar 3, 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’.