Issued: 2:41 PM PST Sunday, March 7, 2021
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

An offshore low-pressure center will keep our weather cool and at times unsettled with snow shower activity during the early part of the week.

An initial wave of more intense convective snow showers brought up to 8-10" of snow for parts of the Cascades and Olympic Mountains on Monday. This feature should exit from south to north across the region through Monday at midnight. The shower activity will be heaviest and last longest in the Mt. Baker area, where an additional 3-6" of snow can be expected. Temperatures should cool rapidly as skies clear and winds diminish overnight.

On Monday, uncertainty remains about the timing and extent of afternoon snow shower activity. A weak area of relative low pressure should develop over the intermountain west, bringing clouds parts of the east slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood. The next weak disturbance riding around the offshore low pressure should bring some light snow to Mt. Hood, Mt. St Helens, and perhaps the Mt. Rainier areas. Any snowfall amounts should be less than 3".

Monday night and Tuesday will feature continued light snow showers wrapping around the offshore low trending southward off the Oregon coastline. Generally light, convective snow showers may extend throughout the region, but accumulations should be highest in the Mt. Hood and southern Washington volcanoes areas.

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 Night 1-2" of snowfall in locally intense snow showers during the evening, then becoming mostly clear.
Monday Mostly sunny.
Sunday Night 3-6" of snowfall in locally intense snow showers through midnight, then becoming mostly clear.
Monday Mostly sunny.
Sunday Night 1-3" of snowfall in locally intense snow showers through the evening, then becoming mostly clear.
Monday Mostly sunny.
Sunday Night A dusting to an inch of snowfall in locally intense snow showers in the early evening, then becoming mostly clear.
Monday Partly cloudy with light snow showers possibly developing late in the day.
Sunday Night 0-2" of snowfall from locally intense snow shower during the evening hours, then becoming partly cloudy.
Monday Partly cloudy.
Sunday Night 0-2" of snowfall in locally intense snow showers during the early evening hours, then becoming partly cloudy.
Monday Partly cloudy.
Sunday Night Around an inch of snowfall in locally intense snow showers through the evening hours, then becoming partly cloudy.
Monday Partly cloudy.
Sunday Night Less than an inch of snowfall from locally intense snow showers during the early evening hours, then becoming partly cloudy.
Monday More clouds than sun with mid-level clouds.
Sunday Night Mostly cloudy.
Monday Mostly cloudy with light snow showers possibly developing late in the day.
Sunday Night Up to an inch of snowfall from locally intense snow showers during the early evening hours, then becoming partly cloudy.
Monday Mostly cloudy with light snow showers developing late in the day.

Issued: 2:41 PM PST Sunday, March 7, 2021

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:41 PM PST Sunday, March 7, 2021

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night* Monday Morning* Monday Afternoon* Monday Evening* Monday Night* Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon*
Olympics 2000' 1000' 1500' 3000' 2500' 1500' 2000' 2500'
West North 2000' 500' 1000' 3000' 2500' 1000' 1500' 3000'
West Central 2000' 500' 1000' 3000' 2500' 1000' 1500' 3000'
West South 2000' 500' 1500' 3000' 2500' 1500' 2000' 3000'
Stevens Pass 2000' 500' 1000' 3000' 2500' 1000' 1500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 500' 1500' 3000' 2500' 1000' 2000' 3000'
East North 2000' 0 1000' 3000' 2500' 500' 1000' 2500'
East Central 2000' 500' 1500' 3000' 2500' 1000' 2000' 3000'
East South 2000' 1500' 2000' 3000' 2500' 1500' 2000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 2500' 2000' 2500' 3000' 2500' 2000' 2000' 3000'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night* 1000'
Monday Morning* 1500'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 1500'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 2500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night* 500'
Monday Morning* 1000'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 1000'
Tuesday Morning* 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night* 500'
Monday Morning* 1000'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 1000'
Tuesday Morning* 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night* 500'
Monday Morning* 1500'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 1500'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night* 500'
Monday Morning* 1000'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 1000'
Tuesday Morning* 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night* 500'
Monday Morning* 1500'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 1000'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 1000'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 500'
Tuesday Morning* 1000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 2500'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night* 500'
Monday Morning* 1500'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 1000'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night* 1500'
Monday Morning* 2000'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 1500'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night* 2000'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 2000'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'

Issued: 2:41 PM PST Sunday, March 7, 2021

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 21 / 14 32 / 16
West North 20 / 15 33 / 15
West Central 22 / 15 33 / 17
West South 22 / 15 33 / 18
Stevens Pass 23 / 15 33 / 16
Snoqualmie Pass 22 / 15 33 / 15
East North 22 / 14 33 / 13
East Central 23 / 16 33 / 16
East South 24 / 16 33 / 17
Mt. Hood 25 / 21 33 / 22
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 21 / 14
Monday 32 / 16
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 20 / 15
Monday 33 / 15
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 22 / 15
Monday 33 / 17
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 22 / 15
Monday 33 / 18
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 15
Monday 33 / 16
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 22 / 15
Monday 33 / 15
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 22 / 14
Monday 33 / 13
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 16
Monday 33 / 16
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 16
Monday 33 / 17
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 25 / 21
Monday 33 / 22

Issued: 2:41 PM PST Sunday, March 7, 2021

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics SW 5-15 SSW 0-10 SSE 5-15 S 5-15
West North SSW 5-15 S 5-15 ESE 0-10 SE 0-10
West Central SW 10-20 SSE 0-10 ESE 5-15 ESE 5-15
West South WSW 10-20 SSE 0-10 SE 5-15 SSW 0-10
Stevens Pass SW 5-15 S 0-10 ESE 5-15 ESE 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass WSW 5-15 SW 0-10 ESE 5-15 SE 10-20
East North WSW 5-15 WSW 0-10 ESE 0-10 ESE 0-10
East Central WSW 10-20 WSW 0-10 ESE 5-15 SE 0-10
East South W 5-15 ESE 0-10 ESE 5-15 SSE 0-10
Mt. Hood WSW 5-15 S 5-15 S 0-10 WSW 0-10
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SW 5-15
Sunday Night SSW 0-10
Monday Morning SSE 5-15
Monday Afternoon S 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSW 5-15
Sunday Night S 5-15
Monday Morning ESE 0-10
Monday Afternoon SE 0-10
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SW 10-20
Sunday Night SSE 0-10
Monday Morning ESE 5-15
Monday Afternoon ESE 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 10-20
Sunday Night SSE 0-10
Monday Morning SE 5-15
Monday Afternoon SSW 0-10
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SW 5-15
Sunday Night S 0-10
Monday Morning ESE 5-15
Monday Afternoon ESE 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 5-15
Sunday Night SW 0-10
Monday Morning ESE 5-15
Monday Afternoon SE 10-20
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 5-15
Sunday Night WSW 0-10
Monday Morning ESE 0-10
Monday Afternoon ESE 0-10
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 10-20
Sunday Night WSW 0-10
Monday Morning ESE 5-15
Monday Afternoon SE 0-10
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 5-15
Sunday Night ESE 0-10
Monday Morning ESE 5-15
Monday Afternoon SSE 0-10
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 5-15
Sunday Night S 5-15
Monday Morning S 0-10
Monday Afternoon WSW 0-10

Issued: 2:41 PM PST Sunday, March 7, 2021

Extended Weather Synopsis

The low dropping south off the Oregon coast leaves light shower activity Tuesday evening before skies clear overnight. Northerly flow splitting around the Pacific Northwest signify light winds. A shortwave trough passing to our north will bring cooler temperatures along with very light snower activity on Wednesday afternoon. Skies should partially clear Wednesday night and Thursday as a ridge tries to build into the region. Temperatures should be near seasonal norms.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night* Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
West North 2000' 2500' 1500' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 2500' 2000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday 2500'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday 2500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2500'
Wednesday 3000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday 3000'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 7, 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’.