A series of mild, wet storms will impact the Pacific Northwest over the next week. However, it will take some time for the initial storm Wednesday night through Friday to displace the entrenched cold air across the northern Cascades.
As a frontal system shifts southward Wednesday night and Thursday will bring increasing moisture and moderate SW winds to the region. Snow levels start around 2500 ft in the Mt. Baker and Washington Pass areas. Snow levels rise as moderate to heavy precipitation focuses on the Olympics and northern Cascades. Exact snow levels are difficult to forecast for Mt. Baker as temperatures will be marginal for snow between 4000-5000 ft by Thursday afternoon. 6-12" of wet snow are possible at Mt. Baker ski area base before snow levels rise to 5000 ft Thursday night. Washington Pass should stay all snow on Thursday, but could experience a brief changeover to rain on Thursday night. Stevens Pass and points southward should shift to all rain early Thursday morning.
The heaviest rain and highest elevation snow shifts to the central Washington Cascades Thursday night with a weakened front dropping south of Mt. Hood early Friday. Flow switches W behind the front, bringing some cooling and showery weather in its wake, but snow accumulations should remain light and at high elevations.
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
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow. Rapidly rising snow levels.
Thursday
Light to moderate rain and high elevation snow becoming moderate in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing light rain and snow.
Thursday
Moderate rain and snow becoming heavy in the afternoon. Rising snow levels.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow developing around midnight.
Thursday
Light rain and snow becoming moderate in the afternoon. Rising snow levels.
Wednesday
Night
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing.
Thursday
Light rain and high elevation snow.
Wednesday
Night
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the early morning hours. Light E wind at the Pass.
Thursday
Increasing light rain and high elevation snow. Rapidly rising snow levels. Light E wind switching W early at the Pass.
Wednesday
Night
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the early morning hours. Light E wind at the Pass.
Thursday
Increasing light rain. Light E wind switching W early at the Pass.
Wednesday
Night
Cloudy with snow developing after midnight.
Thursday
Increasing light to moderate snow with rising snow levels. WA Pass likely remaining snow throughout the day.
Wednesday
Night
Cloudy with light rain or snow developing in the early morning hours.
Thursday
Light rain and high elevation snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Clouds lowering and thickening.
Thursday
Very light rain at times.
Wednesday
Night
Cloudy. Strong ridgeline wind gusts.
Thursday
Cloudy. Strong ridgeline winds.
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
Thursday
Thursday Night
Friday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0.25
0.75 -1.00
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
0.25
1.50
0.75 -1.00
LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.25
1.00 - 1.50
2.00 - 2.50
0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
0.25
1.50
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.10
0.25 - 0.50
1.50 - 2.00
0.25
Crystal Mt
0
LT 0.10
0.25
LT 0.25
Paradise
LT 0.10
0.25 - 0.50
1.50 - 2.00
0.25
White Pass
0
LT 0.10
0.50 - 0.75
0.25
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
0.50 - 0.75
0.75
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
1.00
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
0
0
0.25 - 0.50
0.25 - 0.50
Timberline
0
0
0.50
0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.75 -1.00
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
1.50
Thursday Night
0.75 -1.00
Friday
LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
1.00 - 1.50
Thursday Night
2.00 - 2.50
Friday
0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
1.50
Friday
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
1.50 - 2.00
Friday
0.25
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
1.50 - 2.00
Friday
0.25
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Friday
0.25
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night
0.75
Friday
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
1.00
Friday
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0.25 - 0.50
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Thursday Night
0.50
Friday
0.25 - 0.50
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Snow Level (ft)
Wednesday
Evening*
Wednesday
Night*
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Thursday
Evening*
Thursday
Night
Friday
Morning
Friday
Afternoon
Olympics
3500'
7000'
8500'
8000'
7500'
6500'
5500'
5000'
West North
2500'
2500'
3000'
4500'
5000'
5000'
5000'
4500'
West Central
2000'
3500'
4500'
6000'
7000'
6000'
5000'
5000'
West South
3500'
6500'
8000'
8000'
8000'
7500'
6500'
5500'
Stevens Pass
2000'
3500'
5000'
7500'
7500'
6500'
5500'
5500'
Snoqualmie Pass
2500'
5000'
7000'
8000'
7500'
7000'
6000'
5500'
East North
2000'
2500'
3000'
5000'
5500'
5000'
5000'
5000'
East Central
2500'
4500'
6000'
7500'
7500'
7000'
6000'
5500'
East South
4000'
7000'
9000'
9000'
8500'
7500'
7000'
6000'
Mt. Hood
6000'
8000'
10500'
10000'
9000'
8000'
8000'
7000'
Olympics
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3500'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning
8500'
Thursday
Afternoon
8000'
Thursday
Evening*
7500'
Thursday
Night
6500'
Friday
Morning
5500'
Friday
Afternoon
5000'
West North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
2500'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
Thursday
Evening*
5000'
Thursday
Night
5000'
Friday
Morning
5000'
Friday
Afternoon
4500'
West Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
3500'
Thursday
Morning
4500'
Thursday
Afternoon
6000'
Thursday
Evening*
7000'
Thursday
Night
6000'
Friday
Morning
5000'
Friday
Afternoon
5000'
West South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3500'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning
8000'
Thursday
Afternoon
8000'
Thursday
Evening*
8000'
Thursday
Night
7500'
Friday
Morning
6500'
Friday
Afternoon
5500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
3500'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
7500'
Thursday
Evening*
7500'
Thursday
Night
6500'
Friday
Morning
5500'
Friday
Afternoon
5500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
5000'
Thursday
Morning
7000'
Thursday
Afternoon
8000'
Thursday
Evening*
7500'
Thursday
Night
7000'
Friday
Morning
6000'
Friday
Afternoon
5500'
East North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
2500'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Thursday
Evening*
5500'
Thursday
Night
5000'
Friday
Morning
5000'
Friday
Afternoon
5000'
East Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
4500'
Thursday
Morning
6000'
Thursday
Afternoon
7500'
Thursday
Evening*
7500'
Thursday
Night
7000'
Friday
Morning
6000'
Friday
Afternoon
5500'
East South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
4000'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning
9000'
Thursday
Afternoon
9000'
Thursday
Evening*
8500'
Thursday
Night
7500'
Friday
Morning
7000'
Friday
Afternoon
6000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
6000'
Wednesday
Night*
8000'
Thursday
Morning
10500'
Thursday
Afternoon
10000'
Thursday
Evening*
9000'
Thursday
Night
8000'
Friday
Morning
8000'
Friday
Afternoon
7000'
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, November 24, 2021
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
35 / 30
37 / 34
West North
32 / 27
33 / 31
West Central
32 / 27
34 / 31
West South
34 / 30
41 / 34
Stevens Pass
33 / 27
37 / 33
Snoqualmie Pass
32 / 28
36 / 33
East North
30 / 22
36 / 31
East Central
34 / 27
38 / 34
East South
36 / 30
43 / 35
Mt. Hood
40 / 35
46 / 40
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
35 / 30
Thursday
37 / 34
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
32 / 27
Thursday
33 / 31
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
32 / 27
Thursday
34 / 31
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
34 / 30
Thursday
41 / 34
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
33 / 27
Thursday
37 / 33
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
32 / 28
Thursday
36 / 33
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 22
Thursday
36 / 31
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
34 / 27
Thursday
38 / 34
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 30
Thursday
43 / 35
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
40 / 35
Thursday
46 / 40
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
SW 20-30
SW 20-30
West North
SSW 15-25
SSW 20-30
SSW 20-30
SSW 20-30
West Central
SSW 10-20
SSW 15-25
SW 20-30
SSW 20-30
West South
SW 5-15
SW 10-20
WSW 10-20
SW 15-25
Stevens Pass
SW 5-15
SW 10-20
WSW 10-20
SW 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass
SW 5-15
WSW 10-20
WSW 15-25
WSW 15-25
East North
SW 10-20
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
SW 20-30
East Central
WSW 15-25
WSW 20-30
WSW 25-35
WSW 30-40
East South
WSW 10-20
WSW 10-20
WSW 15-25
WSW 15-25
Mt. Hood
WSW 15-25
WSW 20-30
WSW 25-35
WSW 25-35
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
15-25
Wednesday
Night
SW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
SW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
20-30
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SSW
15-25
Wednesday
Night
SSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
SSW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
SSW
20-30
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SSW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SSW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
SW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
SSW
20-30
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
SW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
15-25
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
SW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
15-25
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
15-25
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
SW
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
20-30
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
WSW
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
30-40
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
15-25
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
WSW
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
25-35
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Extended Weather Synopsis
Light rain and high elevation snow showers dissipate Friday evening behind the first departing system, providing a break from the wet weather overnight into Saturday morning. Saturday starts cool with low snow levels as a second stronger system arrives. However, snow levels rise quickly to 4500-5000 ft in the north (much higher further south) as heavy precipitation moves in and continues Saturday night.. Models diverge on Sunday with some showing heavy rain/snow shifting north of the region, while others maintain the deluge over Washington State as the storm track rides atop a ridge over the California near-shore waters.
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).