Issued: 2:53 PM PST Saturday, March 6, 2021
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

Scattered showers over the region this afternoon will begin to ease later this evening. There won't be much break in the action as a north-south Pacific frontal system offshore approaches the coast overnight. The front should pass through the Olympics around 5 am and the Cascades 7-8 am Sunday morning bringing a brief burst of light to moderate precipitation with frontal passage. Strong to even extreme winds out ahead of the front will hit the Olympics and Mt Baker are hardest tomorrow morning but winds will increase for all areas late tonight through tomorrow. 

Post-frontal showers will continue to impact the area late Sunday morning and afternoon with a stationary low pressure system offshore spinning showers inland all day. More moderate precipitation rates and snowfall totals are likely along the west slopes of the Cascades, particularly from the Canadian border to the Mountain Loop Hwy with lighter amounts further south and east. The Olympics may see a thunderstorm or two in the afternoon as they are closest to the coldest and most unstable air aloft.

The upper low will begin to drift south along the Pacific coast Sunday night. As the low moves away, showers should come to an end by Monday morning. We'll be in a cool pattern Monday with a few afternoon showers likely over the Mt Hood area and the south Washington Cascades and afternoon cloud buildup elsewhere.  

250 Update - corrected Crystal Mt precipitation forecast for tonight. 

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 Cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate showers in the evening, then light to moderate snow developing after midnight. Ridgeline winds becoming strong.
Sunday Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds decreasing late.
Saturday Night Cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate showers in the evening, then light to moderate snow developing after midnight. Ridgeline winds becoming strong.
Sunday Moderate rain and snow becoming moderate snow showers mid-morning. Strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then light snow developing after midnight. Ridgeline winds becoming strong.
Sunday Light to moderate rain and snow becoming light to moderate snow showers mid-morning. Strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then light snow developing after midnight. Ridgeline winds becoming strong.
Sunday Light to moderate rain and snow becoming scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers mid-morning. Strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then light snow developing late. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level.
Sunday Light to moderate rain and snow becoming scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers mid-morning. Strong ridgeline and Pass level west winds easing in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then light snow developing late. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level.
Sunday Light to moderate rain and snow becoming scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers mid-morning. Strong ridgeline and Pass level west winds easing in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then light snow developing late.
Sunday Light rain and snow becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers mid-morning. Strong ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then light snow developing late.
Sunday Light rain and snow becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers mid-morning. Strong ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then light snow developing late.
Sunday Light rain and snow becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers mid-morning. Strong ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then light snow developing late. Ridgeline winds becoming strong.
Sunday Light rain and snow becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers mid-morning. Strong ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon.

Issued: 2:53 PM PST Saturday, March 6, 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 - 0.50 0.50 LT 0.10 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10
Paradise LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
White Pass LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Washington Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25
Timberline LT 0.25 0.25 0 LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday 0.50
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday 0.50 - 0.75
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25

Issued: 2:53 PM PST Saturday, March 6, 2021

Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics 2500' 2500' 2000' 2000' 1500' 1500' 2500' 4000'
West North 2500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 2000' 1000' 2500' 4000'
West Central 2500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 2000' 1500' 2500' 4000'
West South 2500' 2000' 2000' 3000' 2000' 1500' 2500' 4000'
Stevens Pass 2500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 2000' 1500' 2500' 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 2000' 1500' 2500' 4000'
East North 2500' 1500' 2000' 3000' 2000' 1000' 2500' 4000'
East Central 2500' 1500' 2500' 3500' 2000' 1500' 2500' 4000'
East South 2500' 2000' 2500' 3500' 2000' 1500' 2500' 4000'
Mt. Hood 3000' 2500' 2500' 3500' 2500' 2000' 3000' 4000'
Olympics Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 2500'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 2000'
Sunday Evening 1500'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
West North Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
West Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
West South Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 2000'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
East North Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
East Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 2500'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
East South Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 2000'
Sunday Morning 2500'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night 2500'
Sunday Morning 2500'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'

Issued: 2:53 PM PST Saturday, March 6, 2021

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Saturday Night Sunday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 24 / 21 28 / 20
West North 26 / 21 28 / 21
West Central 25 / 21 28 / 21
West South 26 / 22 30 / 22
Stevens Pass 26 / 20 29 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass 25 / 20 28 / 21
East North 26 / 19 30 / 19
East Central 26 / 19 30 / 21
East South 27 / 21 31 / 21
Mt. Hood 27 / 22 31 / 21
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 24 / 21
Sunday 28 / 20
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 26 / 21
Sunday 28 / 21
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 25 / 21
Sunday 28 / 21
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 26 / 22
Sunday 30 / 22
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 26 / 20
Sunday 29 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 25 / 20
Sunday 28 / 21
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 26 / 19
Sunday 30 / 19
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 26 / 19
Sunday 30 / 21
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 27 / 21
Sunday 31 / 21
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 27 / 22
Sunday 31 / 21

Issued: 2:53 PM PST Saturday, March 6, 2021

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:53 PM PST Saturday, March 6, 2021

Extended Weather Synopsis

A pattern of afternoon showers and clouds should dissipate each evening and then return the next day through Wednesday.  Mt Hood may be in for a few more surprises in this pattern closest to the upper low as it becomes an open trough and shifts inland this week. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
West North 1500' 4000' 1500' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 4000' 1500' 3500'
Mt. Hood 2500' 4500' 3000' 4000'
West North Elevation
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday 4000'
Tuesday Night 1500'
Wednesday 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday 4000'
Tuesday Night 1500'
Wednesday 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday 4500'
Tuesday Night 3000'
Wednesday 4000'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 6, 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’.