Welcome to the first mountain weather forecast for the 2021-2022 winter season! We will issue daily mountain weather forecasts at 2 pm until full operations begin. Make sure to check the General Avalanche Statements, issued Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6pm, for the latest on region-wide snow and avalanche conditions.
A strong atmospheric river remains focused on the region this afternoon with very heavy rain, high snow levels, and extremely strong winds impacting the mountains. Early this evening, a fast-moving cold front will sweep over the area causing temperatures to plummet and snow levels to rapidly decrease. As they do, snow will return to most of our mountain trailheads. The question remains, how much precipitation will fall as snow following the cooldown? The answer largely depends on your location. A Puget Sound Convergence Zone will likely bring locally heavier amounts of precipitation to the Mountain Loop and Stevens Pass areas. As the upper airflow turns more northwesterly, this concentrated band of snow will drift further south towards Snoqualmie Pass. For the remainder of the mountain areas, more modest snow showers should continue overnight and into Tuesday, particularly for areas near and west of the Cascade Crest and close to the high volcanoes. Strong winds associated with this cold front will also continue to impact the mountains overnight and into Tuesday morning. Expect strong to very strong ridgetop winds combining with precipitation to produce very stormy conditions with low visibility. As the system pushes further east on Tuesday, winds should become more northwesterly and decrease for most areas.
By late Tuesday afternoon/evening cold and dry northwesterly winds should allow the region a needed break from the recent stormy weather. A weak high-pressure ridge appears to move over the Pacific Northwest Tuesday night through Wednesday. Cool temperatures, mostly to partly cloudy skies, and light winds will prevail for the remainder of the short-term forecast.
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
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Cloudy with snow showers. Very strong westerly winds gradually decreasing overnight.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy in the morning with some clearing in the afternoon. Isolated showers. Winds continuing to decrease.
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Cloudy with snow showers. Strong westerly winds gradually decreasing overnight.
Tuesday
Moslty cloudy with snow showers. Light to moderate westerly winds.
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Puget sound convergence zone could bring periods of heavy precipitation. Very strong westerly winds gradually decreasing overnight.
Tuesday
Cloudy with continued snow showers, heaviest in the morning. Moderate westerly winds continuing to decrease.
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Snow becoming more showery overnight. Storng westerly winds gradually decreasing.
Tuesday
Cloudy with some sun breaks possible in the afternoon. Showers lingering especially in the morning and near the volcanoes. Moderate westerly winds continuing to decrease.
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Puget sound convergence zone could bring periods of heavy precipitation. Strong westerly winds gradually decreasing overnight.
Tuesday
Cloudy with snow showers. Light to moderate westerly winds.
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Puget sound convergence zone could bring periods of heavy precipitation. Very strong westerly winds gradually decreasing overnight.
Tuesday
Cloudy with snow showers, heaviest in the morning. Moderate westerly winds gradually decreasing.
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Cloudy with snow showers gradually decreasing. Very strong westerly winds gradually decreasing.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with some clearing in the afternoon. Isolated snow showers. Moderate westerly winds.
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Cloudy with snow showers heaviest near the Cascade crest. Very strong westerly winds gradually decreasing.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with some clearing in the afternoon. Isolated snow showers. Strong WNW winds gradually decreasing.
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Cloudy with snow showers heaviest near the Cascade crest. Very strong westerly winds gradually decreasing.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with some clearing in the afternoon. Isolated snow showers. Strong WNW winds gradually decreasing.
Monday
Night
Snow levels quickly dropping during the evening. Cloudy with snow, moderate to heavy at times. Very strong westerly winds gradually decreasing.
Tuesday
Cloudy with isolated snow showers. Moderate to strong NW winds gradually decreasing.
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Monday, November 15, 2021
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
Tuesday
Tuesday Night
Wednesday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0.25
LT 0.10
0
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
0.50
LT 0.25
0
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0.75 -1.00
0.25 - 0.50
0
0
Stevens Pass
0.75 -1.00
0.25
0
0
Snoqualmie Pass
0.50 - 0.75
0.25
0
0
Crystal Mt
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
0
0
Paradise
0.75
LT 0.25
0
0
White Pass
0.50
LT 0.25
0
0
Washington Pass
0.25
LT 0.10
0
0
Mission Ridge
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0.50
LT 0.25
0
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0.25
LT 0.10
0
0
Mt Hood Meadows
0.50
LT 0.25
0
0
Timberline
0.50 - 0.75
LT 0.25
0
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.25
Tuesday
LT 0.10
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.50
Tuesday
LT 0.25
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.75 -1.00
Tuesday
0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.75 -1.00
Tuesday
0.25
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday
0.25
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday
LT 0.10
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.75
Tuesday
LT 0.25
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.50
Tuesday
LT 0.25
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.25
Tuesday
LT 0.10
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
LT 0.10
Tuesday
LT 0.10
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.50
Tuesday
LT 0.25
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.25
Tuesday
LT 0.10
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.50
Tuesday
LT 0.25
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Monday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday
LT 0.25
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Monday, November 15, 2021
Snow Level (ft)
Monday
Evening
Monday
Night
Tuesday
Morning
Tuesday
Afternoon
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night*
Wednesday
Morning*
Wednesday
Afternoon*
Olympics
3000'
2500'
2500'
2500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
3000'
West North
2500'
1500'
2000'
2000'
1000'
1000'
1500'
3000'
West Central
2500'
2000'
2000'
2500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
3500'
West South
2500'
2000'
2000'
2500'
1500'
1500'
2500'
4000'
Stevens Pass
2500'
2000'
2000'
2500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
3000'
Snoqualmie Pass
2500'
2000'
2000'
2500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
3500'
East North
2500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
1000'
1000'
1500'
2500'
East Central
2500'
2000'
2000'
2500'
1000'
1000'
2000'
3000'
East South
3000'
2000'
2000'
2500'
1500'
1500'
2500'
4000'
Mt. Hood
3500'
2500'
2500'
3000'
2500'
2000'
3000'
4000'
Olympics
Elevation
Monday
Evening
3000'
Monday
Night
2500'
Tuesday
Morning
2500'
Tuesday
Afternoon
2500'
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3000'
West North
Elevation
Monday
Evening
2500'
Monday
Night
1500'
Tuesday
Morning
2000'
Tuesday
Afternoon
2000'
Tuesday
Evening
1000'
Tuesday
Night*
1000'
Wednesday
Morning*
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3000'
West Central
Elevation
Monday
Evening
2500'
Monday
Night
2000'
Tuesday
Morning
2000'
Tuesday
Afternoon
2500'
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3500'
West South
Elevation
Monday
Evening
2500'
Monday
Night
2000'
Tuesday
Morning
2000'
Tuesday
Afternoon
2500'
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
4000'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Monday
Evening
2500'
Monday
Night
2000'
Tuesday
Morning
2000'
Tuesday
Afternoon
2500'
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Monday
Evening
2500'
Monday
Night
2000'
Tuesday
Morning
2000'
Tuesday
Afternoon
2500'
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3500'
East North
Elevation
Monday
Evening
2500'
Monday
Night
1500'
Tuesday
Morning
1500'
Tuesday
Afternoon
2000'
Tuesday
Evening
1000'
Tuesday
Night*
1000'
Wednesday
Morning*
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
2500'
East Central
Elevation
Monday
Evening
2500'
Monday
Night
2000'
Tuesday
Morning
2000'
Tuesday
Afternoon
2500'
Tuesday
Evening
1000'
Tuesday
Night*
1000'
Wednesday
Morning*
2000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3000'
East South
Elevation
Monday
Evening
3000'
Monday
Night
2000'
Tuesday
Morning
2000'
Tuesday
Afternoon
2500'
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
4000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Monday
Evening
3500'
Monday
Night
2500'
Tuesday
Morning
2500'
Tuesday
Afternoon
3000'
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night*
2000'
Wednesday
Morning*
3000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
4000'
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Monday, November 15, 2021
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Monday
Night
Tuesday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
32 / 21
23 / 19
West North
31 / 21
22 / 20
West Central
33 / 23
22 / 21
West South
34 / 23
26 / 21
Stevens Pass
33 / 22
23 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass
34 / 23
23 / 21
East North
33 / 20
22 / 17
East Central
34 / 22
24 / 20
East South
35 / 23
25 / 19
Mt. Hood
33 / 25
27 / 21
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
32 / 21
Tuesday
23 / 19
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
31 / 21
Tuesday
22 / 20
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
33 / 23
Tuesday
22 / 21
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
34 / 23
Tuesday
26 / 21
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
33 / 22
Tuesday
23 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
34 / 23
Tuesday
23 / 21
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
33 / 20
Tuesday
22 / 17
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
34 / 22
Tuesday
24 / 20
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
35 / 23
Tuesday
25 / 19
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Monday
Night
33 / 25
Tuesday
27 / 21
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Monday, November 15, 2021
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
Monday
Night
Tuesday
Morning
Tuesday
Afternoon
Olympics
W 35-50
W 20-30
W 15-25
WNW 5-15
West North
W 30-40
W 20-30
W 15-25
WNW 5-15
West Central
W 35-50
W 25-35
W 20-30
NW 10-20
West South
W 30-40
W 25-35
W 20-30
WNW 10-20
Stevens Pass
W 30-40
W 25-35
W 15-25
WNW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
W 35-50
W 30-40
WNW 20-30
NW 15-25
East North
W 40-55
W 35-50
W 20-30
WNW 10-20
East Central
W 45-65
WNW 40-55
WNW 35-50
WNW 25-35
East South
W 40-55
WNW 40-55
NW 35-50
WNW 20-30
Mt. Hood
W 40-55
WNW 35-50
WNW 30-40
NW 20-30
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
35-50
Monday
Night
W
20-30
Tuesday
Morning
W
15-25
Tuesday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
30-40
Monday
Night
W
20-30
Tuesday
Morning
W
15-25
Tuesday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
35-50
Monday
Night
W
25-35
Tuesday
Morning
W
20-30
Tuesday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
30-40
Monday
Night
W
25-35
Tuesday
Morning
W
20-30
Tuesday
Afternoon
WNW
10-20
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
30-40
Monday
Night
W
25-35
Tuesday
Morning
W
15-25
Tuesday
Afternoon
WNW
10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
35-50
Monday
Night
W
30-40
Tuesday
Morning
WNW
20-30
Tuesday
Afternoon
NW
15-25
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
40-55
Monday
Night
W
35-50
Tuesday
Morning
W
20-30
Tuesday
Afternoon
WNW
10-20
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
45-65
Monday
Night
WNW
40-55
Tuesday
Morning
WNW
35-50
Tuesday
Afternoon
WNW
25-35
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
40-55
Monday
Night
WNW
40-55
Tuesday
Morning
NW
35-50
Tuesday
Afternoon
WNW
20-30
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday
Evening
W
40-55
Monday
Night
WNW
35-50
Tuesday
Morning
WNW
30-40
Tuesday
Afternoon
NW
20-30
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Monday, November 15, 2021
Extended Weather Synopsis
While the area should begin the extended forecast period cool and dry, increasing clouds Wednesday afternoon and evening will hint at the weather changes to come. A storm system appears to approach the coast on Thursday, spreading precipitation from SW to NE as it draws nearer. A warm front associated with the initial precipitation may bring rain to many of our mountain areas before a trailing cold front returns snow to the region. At the moment the bulk of the stormy weather appears to impact the mountains Thursday night with showers lingering into Friday.
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).