A few lingering showers remain in the mountains on Tuesday afternoon, bringing isolated snow to locations in the central Washington Cascades. A few of these stray showers may persist into the early evening hours, however, the general trend is for drying and clearing. A high-pressure ridge will become the primary weather feature for the Pacific Northwest. Partly to mostly clear skies, light winds, and cold temperatures should prevail Tuesday night as the ridge moves over the area. As the high-pressure shifts into central Washington on Wednesday, expect easterly winds to increase along the Cascade crest and in the Passes. Some of these areas could experience locally moderate to strong easterly winds. As the high-pressure gives way Wednesday afternoon and evening, winds should decrease along the crest and clouds will thicken and lower ahead of an approaching frontal system.
A low-pressure center off the coast will continue to push clouds into the region Wednesday night, however, the precipitation should hold off until mid to late day on Thursday. As the storm approaches the region it seems to weaken and loose steam. Warmer air and showers will spread from SW to NE as a warm front lifts northward from Oregon into Washington. Right now, this doesn't appear to be a particularly wet system. The bulk of the storm should impact the area Thursday night into early Friday morning.
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
Tuesday
Night
Mostly clear. Light and variable winds.
Wednesday
Partly sunny. Light winds becoming southerly.
Tuesday
Night
Mostly clear. Light and variable winds.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming SSE.
Tuesday
Night
Partly cloudy with a stray shower possible in the early evening. Light winds becoming easterly.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. Light SE winds.
Tuesday
Night
Partly cloudy. A few flurries possible in the early evening. Light winds becoming easterly.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy to mostly sunny. Easterly winds increasing, particularly near the Cascade Crest.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly cloudy with a stray shower possible in the early evening. East flow developing in the Pass overnight.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. Light to moderate easterly winds increasing during the day.
Tuesday
Night
Partly cloudy. East flow developing in the Pass overnight.
Wednesday
Partly cloudy. Easterly winds increasing and becoming moderate to strong in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Mostly clear. Winds decreasing and becoming light and variable.
Wednesday
Mostly clear with increasing clouds. Light to moderate SSE winds.
Tuesday
Night
Mostly clear. Moderate winds becoming light and variable.
Wednesday
Mostly clear with increasing clouds. Light SE winds becoming moderate in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Mostly clear. Moderate winds decreasing and becoming easterly.
Wednesday
Mostly clear with increasing cloudys. Southeasterly winds increasing and becoming moderate.
Partly cloudy. Moderate winds becoming more southerly.
Issued: 1:47 PM PST Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
Wednesday
Wednesday Night
Thursday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0
0
0
0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
0
0
0
LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0
0
0
LT 0.25
Stevens Pass
0
0
0
LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass
0
0
0
LT 0.10
Crystal Mt
0
0
0
LT 0.10
Paradise
0
0
0
LT 0.25
White Pass
0
0
0
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
0
0
0
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
0
0
0
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0
0
0
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0
0
0
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
0
0
0
LT 0.25
Timberline
0
0
0
LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.25
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.25
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.25
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.25
Issued: 1:47 PM PST Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Snow Level (ft)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night*
Wednesday
Morning*
Wednesday
Afternoon*
Wednesday
Evening*
Wednesday
Night*
Thursday
Morning*
Thursday
Afternoon*
Olympics
2000'
1500'
2000'
4000'
3500'
3500'
3000'
3000'
West North
1500'
500'
1000'
3500'
2000'
1500'
2500'
3500'
West Central
1500'
500'
1000'
3500'
2000'
1500'
2500'
3500'
West South
2000'
1000'
2000'
4000'
2000'
2000'
4000'
4500'
Stevens Pass
1000'
500'
1000'
3000'
1500'
1000'
2000'
3500'
Snoqualmie Pass
1000'
500'
1000'
3500'
1500'
1500'
2500'
3500'
East North
500'
500'
1000'
2500'
1000'
500'
1500'
3000'
East Central
1000'
500'
1000'
3000'
1500'
1500'
2500'
3000'
East South
1500'
1000'
1500'
4000'
1500'
2000'
3000'
4500'
Mt. Hood
2500'
2000'
2500'
3500'
2500'
3000'
4000'
4500'
Olympics
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2000'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
4000'
Wednesday
Evening*
3500'
Wednesday
Night*
3500'
Thursday
Morning*
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3000'
West North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
500'
Wednesday
Morning*
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3500'
Wednesday
Evening*
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
1500'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3500'
West Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
500'
Wednesday
Morning*
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3500'
Wednesday
Evening*
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
1500'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3500'
West South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2000'
Tuesday
Night*
1000'
Wednesday
Morning*
2000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
4000'
Wednesday
Evening*
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
2000'
Thursday
Morning*
4000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1000'
Tuesday
Night*
500'
Wednesday
Morning*
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3000'
Wednesday
Evening*
1500'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1000'
Tuesday
Night*
500'
Wednesday
Morning*
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3500'
Wednesday
Evening*
1500'
Wednesday
Night*
1500'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3500'
East North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
500'
Tuesday
Night*
500'
Wednesday
Morning*
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
2500'
Wednesday
Evening*
1000'
Wednesday
Night*
500'
Thursday
Morning*
1500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3000'
East Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1000'
Tuesday
Night*
500'
Wednesday
Morning*
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3000'
Wednesday
Evening*
1500'
Wednesday
Night*
1500'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3000'
East South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
1000'
Wednesday
Morning*
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
4000'
Wednesday
Evening*
1500'
Wednesday
Night*
2000'
Thursday
Morning*
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night*
2000'
Wednesday
Morning*
2500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3500'
Wednesday
Evening*
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
3000'
Thursday
Morning*
4000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
Issued: 1:47 PM PST Tuesday, November 16, 2021
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
20 / 16
35 / 21
West North
18 / 16
30 / 18
West Central
18 / 14
27 / 18
West South
22 / 16
31 / 18
Stevens Pass
20 / 14
25 / 15
Snoqualmie Pass
22 / 14
24 / 15
East North
17 / 13
22 / 13
East Central
17 / 15
24 / 14
East South
21 / 16
27 / 16
Mt. Hood
23 / 19
30 / 22
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
20 / 16
Wednesday
35 / 21
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
18 / 16
Wednesday
30 / 18
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
18 / 14
Wednesday
27 / 18
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
22 / 16
Wednesday
31 / 18
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
20 / 14
Wednesday
25 / 15
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
22 / 14
Wednesday
24 / 15
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
17 / 13
Wednesday
22 / 13
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
17 / 15
Wednesday
24 / 14
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
21 / 16
Wednesday
27 / 16
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
23 / 19
Wednesday
30 / 22
Issued: 1:47 PM PST Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon
Olympics
VAR 0-10
NE 0-10
ESE 5-15
S 5-15
West North
VAR 0-10
VAR 0-10
SSE 5-15
SSE 5-15
West Central
N 5-15
E 5-15
SE 5-15
SE 5-15
West South
NNW 5-15
E 5-15
ESE 10-20
ESE 15-25
Stevens Pass
VAR 0-10
ESE 5-15
ESE 10-20
ESE 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass
NNW 5-15
ESE 5-15
ESE 10-20
ESE 20-30
East North
N 5-15
VAR 0-10
SSE 5-15
SSE 10-20
East Central
NNW 10-20
VAR 0-10
ESE 10-20
SSE 15-25
East South
NNW 10-20
ENE 5-15
SE 10-20
SSE 15-25
Mt. Hood
NNW 10-20
ENE 10-20
SE 15-25
S 15-25
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
NE
0-10
Wednesday
Morning
ESE
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
S
5-15
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Morning
SSE
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
SSE
5-15
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
N
5-15
Tuesday
Night
E
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
SE
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
SE
5-15
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
5-15
Tuesday
Night
E
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
ESE
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
ESE
15-25
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
ESE
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
ESE
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
ESE
15-25
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
5-15
Tuesday
Night
ESE
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
ESE
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
ESE
20-30
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
N
5-15
Tuesday
Night
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Morning
SSE
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
SSE
10-20
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Morning
ESE
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
SSE
15-25
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
ENE
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
SE
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
SSE
15-25
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
ENE
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
SE
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
S
15-25
Issued: 1:47 PM PST Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Extended Weather Synopsis
As the low-pressure system heads towards California, the mountains should experience drying and clearing from north to south. A few showers may linger into Friday morning, but by Friday afternoon any precipitation should be limited to locations near Mt Hood. A high-pressure ridge should help the mountains dry out and the skies clear up for the weekend. Look for warming temperatures and mostly sunny skies on Saturday.
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).