Lingering showers, mainly in the central Cascades, should continue to wind down as we head into Friday night. While you could encounter a few stray sprinkles, the general trend will be for a mild and dry evening with increasing clouds. By Saturday morning, yet another atmospheric river will begin to take aim at the region. While the firehose of this storm will primarily focus on Vancouver Island, strong winds and increasingly heavy precipitation will arrive at locations near Hurricane Ridge and Mt Baker during the morning. As the bulk of the moisture finally reaches the Pacific Northwest, stormy conditions will spread to areas further south and east. The heaviest precipitation and warmest temperatures will occur Satruday night, with many locations seeing snow levels soaring to 7500-9500'. Many areas could see more than 1.5-3+" of water by the time this storm ends.
On Sunday, locally heavy showers will continue primarily for areas along the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics. Areas further south and east should see significantly less rain and snow as the focus of the storm again shifts into Canada. Some uncertainty remains in the forecast for Sunday. Some weather models try to draw in additional moisture to maintain the stormy conditions. Others suggest that the precipitation will slowly taper into lingering showers. Slightly cooler temperatures, allow snow levels to drop slightly, though they should remain well above trailhead locations.
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
Friday
Night
Increasing clouds. SSW winds increasing and becoming moderate.
Saturday
Stormy. Moderate to strong winds, warming temperatures, and periods of heavy rain.
Friday
Night
Increasing clouds. SSW winds becoming moderate.
Saturday
Stormy. Moderate to strong S winds, warming temperatures, and periods of heavy rain and snow.
Friday
Night
Increasing clouds. Slight possibility for a stray shower. Moderate SW winds increasing slightly overnight.
Saturday
Becoming stormy. Moderate to strong SW winds, warming temperatures, and periods of heavy rain and snow.
Friday
Night
Increasing clouds. Slight possibility for a stray shower. Moderate SW winds increasing slightly overnight.
Saturday
Cloudy. Temperatures warming. Precipitation increasing in the afternoon. Heaviest near the volcanoes. Moderate to strong SW winds.
Friday
Night
Increasing clouds. Slight possibility of a few stray showers. Light W winds.
Saturday
Cloudy. Temperatures warming significantly. Precipitation increasing throughout the day. Moderate SW ridgetop winds increasing in the afternoon. Light easterly flow at Pass level.
Friday
Night
Increasing clouds. Slight possibility of a few stray showers. Light W winds.
Saturday
Cloudy. Temperatures warming significantly. Precipitation increasing throughout the day. Strong SW ridgetop winds increasing in the afternoon. Light easterly flow at Pass level.
Friday
Night
Partly cloudy with clouds increasing.
Saturday
Cloudy. Multiple freezing levels, with upper elevations warming. Precipitation and winds increasing during the day. Moderate to strong SW winds.
Friday
Night
Partly to mostly cloudy. Clouds increasing overnight. Winds decreasing slightly.
Saturday
Cloudy. Warming temperatures. Precipitation increasing throughout the day. Heaviest near the Cascade Crest. Moderate to strong SW winds increasing in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Partly to mostly cloudy. Clouds increasing overnight.
Saturday
Cloudy. Warming temperatures. Precipitation increasing throughout the day. Heaviest near the Cascade Crest. Moderate to strong SW winds increasing in the afternoon.
Friday
Night
Cloudy. Slight chance of a few stray showers. Moderate W winds.
Saturday
Cloudy. Temperatures warming significantly. Precipitation and winds increasing in the afternoon. Moderate to strong SW winds.
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Friday, November 26, 2021
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
Saturday
Saturday Night
Sunday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0
0.50
1.00
0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area
0
1.00
2.00
1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0
0.75
2.00 - 2.50
1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
0.50
1.00
0.50 - 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.10
0.50
1.50
0.50
Crystal Mt
0
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
Paradise
0
0.75 -1.00
1.50
0.25
White Pass
0
0.25
0.50
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
0
0.25 - 0.50
1.00 - 1.50
0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0
0.25
0.75
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0
LT 0.25
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
LT 0.10
0.75
0.75
0
Timberline
LT 0.10
0.75
1.00
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0.50
Saturday Night
1.00
Sunday
0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
1.00
Saturday Night
2.00
Sunday
1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0.75
Saturday Night
2.00 - 2.50
Sunday
1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0.50
Saturday Night
1.00
Sunday
0.50 - 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0.50
Saturday Night
1.50
Sunday
0.50
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0.25
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0.75 -1.00
Saturday Night
1.50
Sunday
0.25
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0.25
Saturday Night
0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Sunday
0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
LT 0.10
Saturday Night
LT 0.25
Sunday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0.25
Saturday Night
0.75
Sunday
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
LT 0.25
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0.75
Saturday Night
0.75
Sunday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
0.75
Saturday Night
1.00
Sunday
0
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Friday, November 26, 2021
Snow Level (ft)
Friday
Evening
Friday
Night
Saturday
Morning*
Saturday
Afternoon*
Saturday
Evening*
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Morning
Sunday
Afternoon
Olympics
4000'
4500'
6500'
9000'
9500'
8500'
7500'
7000'
West North
4000'
4000'
4500'
6500'
8500'
8000'
7000'
6000'
West Central
5000'
5000'
6000'
8000'
9500'
9000'
7500'
6500'
West South
5500'
5500'
6500'
8500'
9500'
8500'
7000'
7000'
Stevens Pass
5000'
4500'
5500'
7500'
9500'
9000'
7500'
7000'
Snoqualmie Pass
5500'
5500'
6500'
8500'
9500'
9000'
7500'
7000'
East North
4000'
3500'
3500'
5000'
7500'
8000'
7500'
6500'
East Central
5000'
5000'
5500'
7500'
9500'
9000'
7500'
7000'
East South
6000'
6000'
6500'
8500'
9500'
9000'
7000'
7000'
Mt. Hood
6500'
7000'
7500'
9500'
10000'
8500'
7500'
7000'
Olympics
Elevation
Friday
Evening
4000'
Friday
Night
4500'
Saturday
Morning*
6500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
9000'
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
8500'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
West North
Elevation
Friday
Evening
4000'
Friday
Night
4000'
Saturday
Morning*
4500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
6500'
Saturday
Evening*
8500'
Saturday
Night
8000'
Sunday
Morning
7000'
Sunday
Afternoon
6000'
West Central
Elevation
Friday
Evening
5000'
Friday
Night
5000'
Saturday
Morning*
6000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
8000'
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
9000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
6500'
West South
Elevation
Friday
Evening
5500'
Friday
Night
5500'
Saturday
Morning*
6500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
8500'
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
8500'
Sunday
Morning
7000'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Friday
Evening
5000'
Friday
Night
4500'
Saturday
Morning*
5500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
7500'
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
9000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Friday
Evening
5500'
Friday
Night
5500'
Saturday
Morning*
6500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
8500'
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
9000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
East North
Elevation
Friday
Evening
4000'
Friday
Night
3500'
Saturday
Morning*
3500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
5000'
Saturday
Evening*
7500'
Saturday
Night
8000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
6500'
East Central
Elevation
Friday
Evening
5000'
Friday
Night
5000'
Saturday
Morning*
5500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
7500'
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
9000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
East South
Elevation
Friday
Evening
6000'
Friday
Night
6000'
Saturday
Morning*
6500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
8500'
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
9000'
Sunday
Morning
7000'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Friday
Evening
6500'
Friday
Night
7000'
Saturday
Morning*
7500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
9500'
Saturday
Evening*
10000'
Saturday
Night
8500'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Friday, November 26, 2021
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Friday
Night
Saturday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
34 / 29
40 / 34
West North
29 / 27
38 / 30
West Central
31 / 28
39 / 30
West South
33 / 31
40 / 34
Stevens Pass
32 / 29
37 / 30
Snoqualmie Pass
32 / 30
36 / 29
East North
29 / 27
33 / 29
East Central
32 / 30
36 / 30
East South
33 / 31
38 / 33
Mt. Hood
38 / 35
43 / 38
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
34 / 29
Saturday
40 / 34
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
29 / 27
Saturday
38 / 30
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
31 / 28
Saturday
39 / 30
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
33 / 31
Saturday
40 / 34
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
32 / 29
Saturday
37 / 30
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
32 / 30
Saturday
36 / 29
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
29 / 27
Saturday
33 / 29
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
32 / 30
Saturday
36 / 30
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
33 / 31
Saturday
38 / 33
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
38 / 35
Saturday
43 / 38
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Friday, November 26, 2021
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
Friday
Night
Saturday
Morning
Saturday
Afternoon
Olympics
SW 5-15
SSW 15-25
SSW 25-35
SW 40-55
West North
SSW 10-20
SSW 15-25
S 20-30
SSW 35-50
West Central
SW 5-15
SSW 10-20
SSW 15-25
SSW 30-40
West South
WSW 5-15
SW 10-20
SW 15-25
SSW 25-35
Stevens Pass
W 5-15
WSW 5-15
SW 10-20
SW 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass
WSW 10-20
WSW 5-15
SW 15-25
SW 30-40
East North
W 5-15
WSW 5-15
SW 15-25
SSW 20-30
East Central
W 10-20
WSW 5-15
SW 15-25
SW 30-40
East South
W 5-15
WSW 5-15
SW 15-25
WSW 25-35
Mt. Hood
W 10-20
WSW 15-25
SW 20-30
WSW 25-35
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
SW
5-15
Friday
Night
SSW
15-25
Saturday
Morning
SSW
25-35
Saturday
Afternoon
SW
40-55
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
SSW
10-20
Friday
Night
SSW
15-25
Saturday
Morning
S
20-30
Saturday
Afternoon
SSW
35-50
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
SW
5-15
Friday
Night
SSW
10-20
Saturday
Morning
SSW
15-25
Saturday
Afternoon
SSW
30-40
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
WSW
5-15
Friday
Night
SW
10-20
Saturday
Morning
SW
15-25
Saturday
Afternoon
SSW
25-35
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
5-15
Friday
Night
WSW
5-15
Saturday
Morning
SW
10-20
Saturday
Afternoon
SW
15-25
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
WSW
10-20
Friday
Night
WSW
5-15
Saturday
Morning
SW
15-25
Saturday
Afternoon
SW
30-40
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
5-15
Friday
Night
WSW
5-15
Saturday
Morning
SW
15-25
Saturday
Afternoon
SSW
20-30
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
10-20
Friday
Night
WSW
5-15
Saturday
Morning
SW
15-25
Saturday
Afternoon
SW
30-40
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
5-15
Friday
Night
WSW
5-15
Saturday
Morning
SW
15-25
Saturday
Afternoon
WSW
25-35
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
10-20
Friday
Night
WSW
15-25
Saturday
Morning
SW
20-30
Saturday
Afternoon
WSW
25-35
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Friday, November 26, 2021
Extended Weather Synopsis
The active weather pattern continues as we wrap up the weekend and head into the first part of the week. Lingering showers should continue to bring rain and high elevation snow to parts of the Cascades. The greater impacts of any showers Sunday night and Monday will largely depend on if additional moisture makes its way into the jet stream. Either way, by Monday night, the focus shifts to another atmospheric river. Right now this system seems to focus further north into Canada. However, windy conditions, high snow levels, and at least some precipitation seems on track for Tuesday.
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).