Issued: 6:50 AM PDT Sunday, March 14, 2021
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

Radar images show a well defined N-S oriented band of precipitation arriving at the coast this morning. This swath of rain and snow will slowly make its way across the area reaching the Olympics just after daybreak and the Cascades in the early afternoon. Weather models this morning are running wetter and cooler than they were yesterday. As a result, most areas will see light to moderate rain and snow before the end of the day. Precipitation should begin as rain for most trailhead locations this afternoon. As colder air pushes its way into the region, snow levels will quickly fall back below the passes this evening. Strong southerly winds out ahead of the front have already begun to impact places like this Olympics, Mt Baker, the West-South, and Mt Hood. This trend will continue until the front passes when winds should decrease significantly and turn more westerly. 

Overnight expect continued snow showers with lowering snow levels in the mountains. By Monday morning, shower activity should decrease significantly. The splitting low-pressure system responsible for this front will exit to our south and take with it the bulk of the remaining moisture. A building high-pressure ridge in the Pacific will only help to limit any lingering precipitation. We should be left with cloudy skies, cool temperatures, and a few stray snow showers. 

 

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 light to moderate rain and snow. Strong SW winds decreasing.
Sunday Night Cloudy with isolated light snow showers. Cooling.
Sunday Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow beginning mid-morning. Strong S winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Winds decreasing significantly.
Sunday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow in the afternoon. Moderate to strong S winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered snow showers. Cooling.
Sunday Cloudy with light rain and snow in the afternoon. Slightly heavier near the volcanoes. Moderate to strong SW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Cooling.
Sunday Cloudy with light rain and snow in the afternoon. Light SE flow.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Light to moderate W flow.
Sunday Cloudy with light rain and snow in the afternoon. Light SE flow.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate showers. Rain changing to snow at Pass level in the evening. Light to moderate W flow.
Sunday Mostly cloudy. Isolated showers near the crest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered showers, heaviest near the crest.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the afternoon. Moderate SW winds decreasing.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered snow showers. Moderate winds increasing and becoming NW.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with isolated showers near the crest in the afternoon. Moderate SW winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy with scattered showers. Cooling.
Sunday Clouds thickening and lowering. Light to moderate rain and snow in the afternoon. Strong SW winds decreasing slightly.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong W winds.

Issued: 6:50 AM PDT Sunday, March 14, 2021

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 6:50 AM PDT Sunday, March 14, 2021

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Morning* Sunday Afternoon* Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics 4000' 3000' 1000' 500' 1000' 3000'
West North 5500' 4000' 2500' 500' 1000' 3000'
West Central 6000' 4500' 2500' 500' 1000' 3000'
West South 6500' 4500' 3000' 500' 1500' 3000'
Stevens Pass 5000' 4500' 3000' 500' 1000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 6000' 4500' 3000' 500' 1000' 3000'
East North 5000' 5000' 3500' 500' 2000' 4000'
East Central 6000' 5000' 4500' 500' 2000' 4000'
East South 6000' 5000' 4500' 500' 2000' 4000'
Mt. Hood 7000' 5500' 3000' 500' 1500' 3000'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Morning* 4000'
Sunday Afternoon* 3000'
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
West North Elevation
Sunday Morning* 5500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4000'
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Morning* 6000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
West South Elevation
Sunday Morning* 6500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 1500'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Morning* 5000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Morning* 6000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
East North Elevation
Sunday Morning* 5000'
Sunday Afternoon* 5000'
Sunday Evening 3500'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Morning* 6000'
Sunday Afternoon* 5000'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
East South Elevation
Sunday Morning* 6000'
Sunday Afternoon* 5000'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Morning* 7000'
Sunday Afternoon* 5500'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 1500'
Monday Afternoon 3000'

Issued: 6:50 AM PDT Sunday, March 14, 2021

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Sunday Night
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 31 / 22 20 / 7
West North 35 / 30 26 / 12
West Central 36 / 31 27 / 16
West South 36 / 30 26 / 11
Stevens Pass 37 / 31 30 / 17
Snoqualmie Pass 35 / 30 30 / 16
East North 36 / 29 32 / 15
East Central 36 / 31 31 / 17
East South 37 / 32 31 / 12
Mt. Hood 38 / 31 29 / 14
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 31 / 22
Sunday Night 20 / 7
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 35 / 30
Sunday Night 26 / 12
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 36 / 31
Sunday Night 27 / 16
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 36 / 30
Sunday Night 26 / 11
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 37 / 31
Sunday Night 30 / 17
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 35 / 30
Sunday Night 30 / 16
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 36 / 29
Sunday Night 32 / 15
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 36 / 31
Sunday Night 31 / 17
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 37 / 32
Sunday Night 31 / 12
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday 38 / 31
Sunday Night 29 / 14

Issued: 6:50 AM PDT Sunday, March 14, 2021

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon Sunday Evening Sunday Night
Olympics SSW 25-35 SW 10-20 W 10-20 WNW 5-15
West North S 30-40 S 25-35 W 5-15 NW 0-10
West Central S 15-25 SSW 20-30 W 10-20 NW 5-15
West South SW 20-30 SW 20-30 W 10-20 WNW 10-20
Stevens Pass SE 5-15 S 5-15 W 10-20 WNW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass SE 10-20 S 5-15 W 15-25 WNW 10-20
East North SSW 5-15 S 5-15 S 5-15 NW 10-20
East Central SW 15-25 SW 10-20 SW 5-15 NW 15-25
East South SW 15-25 SW 15-25 W 5-15 NW 10-20
Mt. Hood SW 25-35 SW 20-30 W 15-25 WNW 20-30
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SSW 25-35
Sunday Afternoon SW 10-20
Sunday Evening W 10-20
Sunday Night WNW 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning S 30-40
Sunday Afternoon S 25-35
Sunday Evening W 5-15
Sunday Night NW 0-10
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning S 15-25
Sunday Afternoon SSW 20-30
Sunday Evening W 10-20
Sunday Night NW 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 20-30
Sunday Afternoon SW 20-30
Sunday Evening W 10-20
Sunday Night WNW 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SE 5-15
Sunday Afternoon S 5-15
Sunday Evening W 10-20
Sunday Night WNW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SE 10-20
Sunday Afternoon S 5-15
Sunday Evening W 15-25
Sunday Night WNW 10-20
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SSW 5-15
Sunday Afternoon S 5-15
Sunday Evening S 5-15
Sunday Night NW 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon SW 10-20
Sunday Evening SW 5-15
Sunday Night NW 15-25
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon SW 15-25
Sunday Evening W 5-15
Sunday Night NW 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Morning SW 25-35
Sunday Afternoon SW 20-30
Sunday Evening W 15-25
Sunday Night WNW 20-30

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

Previous forecast from Mar 13, 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’.