Warm, wet, and windy conditions will continue in the mountains for the next several days as an atmospheric river remains focused on the Pacific Northwest. Slight shifts in the storm could allow certain locations brief breaks from the action, but make no mistake, every area will be impacted by this event. Moderate to heavy precipitation and strong winds will continue to spread south Saturday afternoon and evening. As the brunt of the storm slams into the region, rain will easily spill over the Cascade crest and reach mountains further east. Snow levels overnight should peak around 8500-10000 ft. The heaviest rain and strongest winds should occur in the northern half of the forecast area, including locations near the Mt Loop Highway, Mt Baker, and Washington Pass.
During the day Sunday, the major axis of precipitation drifts back toward the Canadian border where conditions will remain wet and mild. Areas further south and east should see significantly less precipitation and could even experience some breaks in the clouds. Cooler air will allow snow levels to lower slightly, however, any snow should remain confined to areas above treeline.
By Sunday night some uncertainty enters the forecast as a short-wave trough tries to reinvigorate rain and snow shower activity. Precipitation should increase for locations from the Mountain Loop Highway to Highway 12 (White Pass). Westerly winds and plenty of moisture, will help showers continue to stack up on the west slopes of the Cascades. This pattern lingers into Monday as the weak through finally crosses the region and allows rain and snow showers to decrease by late afternoon.
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
Saturday
Night
Stormy. Periods of heavy rain and strong SW winds.
Sunday
Moderate to heavy rain and snow, becoming showers in the afternoon. Moderate to strong winds becoming W and decreasing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Very stormy. Heavy rain and strong SSW winds.
Sunday
Stormy. Periods of heavy rain and high elevation snow. Strong SW winds becoming W and decreasing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Very stormy. Heavy rain and strong SW winds.
Sunday
Stormy. Periods of heavy rain and very high elevation snow. Strong WSW winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Rain, heaviest near the volcanoes. Locally moderate to heavy showers elsewhere. Strong WSW winds.
Sunday
Cloudy. Scattered showers mostly near Mt Rainier. Moderate to strong WSW winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Moderate to heavy rain with moderate to strong WSW winds increasing slightly overnight. Light E flow at pass level ending.
Sunday
Periods of moderate rain and very high elevation snow. Strong WSW winds decreasing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Moderate to heavy rain with strong WSW winds. Light E flow ending overnight.
Sunday
Showers with periods of moderate rain. Strong WSW winds decreasing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Moderate to heavy rain with SW winds becoming strong overnight.
Sunday
Scattered showers with rain and high elevation snow. Strong W winds decreasing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Rain, heaviest near the crest, with moderate rain showers further east. Strong WSW winds increasing overnight.
Sunday
Scattered showers, heaviest near the crest. Strong W winds decreasing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Rain, heaviest near the crest, with moderate rain showers further east. Strong WSW winds increasing overnight.
Sunday
Scattered showers, heaviest near the crest. Strong W winds decreasing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Occasionally moderate to heavy rain developing overnight. Strong WSW winds increasing.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with the slight chance of an isolated shower in the morning. Strong W winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
Issued: 1:45 PM PST Saturday, November 27, 2021
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
Sunday
Sunday Night
Monday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0.75 -1.00
0.50 - 0.75
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
2.00
1.00 - 1.50
0.50
0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
2.00 - 2.50
1.00 - 1.50
0.50
0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass
1.00 - 1.50
0.50 - 0.75
0.50 - 0.75
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
1.00 - 1.50
0.50
0.50 - 0.75
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
0.25
0.25
Paradise
1.50
0.25 - 0.50
1.00
0.50
White Pass
0.50
LT 0.10
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
Washington Pass
1.00 - 1.50
0.50
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0.75 -1.00
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0.25 - 0.50
0
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
0.50 - 0.75
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
Timberline
0.50 - 0.75
0
LT 0.10
0.25
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.75 -1.00
Sunday
0.50 - 0.75
Sunday Night
LT 0.25
Monday
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
2.00
Sunday
1.00 - 1.50
Sunday Night
0.50
Monday
0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
2.00 - 2.50
Sunday
1.00 - 1.50
Sunday Night
0.50
Monday
0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Sunday
0.50 - 0.75
Sunday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Monday
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Sunday
0.50
Sunday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Monday
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0.25
Monday
0.25
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
1.50
Sunday
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday Night
1.00
Monday
0.50
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Monday
0.25
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Sunday
0.50
Sunday Night
LT 0.25
Monday
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
LT 0.25
Monday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.75 -1.00
Sunday
0.25
Sunday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Monday
LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
LT 0.25
Monday
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
LT 0.25
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0.25
Issued: 1:45 PM PST Saturday, November 27, 2021
Snow Level (ft)
Saturday
Evening*
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Morning
Sunday
Afternoon
Sunday
Evening
Sunday
Night
Olympics
9500'
9000'
7500'
7000'
7000'
6500'
West North
8500'
8000'
7000'
6500'
6000'
6000'
West Central
9000'
8500'
7500'
7000'
6500'
6500'
West South
9500'
7500'
7000'
7500'
7000'
6500'
Stevens Pass
9000'
8000'
7500'
7500'
7000'
7000'
Snoqualmie Pass
9500'
8000'
7500'
7500'
7000'
7000'
East North
8500'
8500'
7500'
6500'
6000'
5500'
East Central
9500'
8000'
7500'
7500'
7000'
7000'
East South
9500'
7500'
7000'
7500'
7500'
7500'
Mt. Hood
10000'
8000'
7000'
6500'
6000'
6000'
Olympics
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
9000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
Sunday
Evening
7000'
Sunday
Night
6500'
West North
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
8500'
Saturday
Night
8000'
Sunday
Morning
7000'
Sunday
Afternoon
6500'
Sunday
Evening
6000'
Sunday
Night
6000'
West Central
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
9000'
Saturday
Night
8500'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
Sunday
Evening
6500'
Sunday
Night
6500'
West South
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
7500'
Sunday
Morning
7000'
Sunday
Afternoon
7500'
Sunday
Evening
7000'
Sunday
Night
6500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
9000'
Saturday
Night
8000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7500'
Sunday
Evening
7000'
Sunday
Night
7000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
8000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7500'
Sunday
Evening
7000'
Sunday
Night
7000'
East North
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
8500'
Saturday
Night
8500'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
6500'
Sunday
Evening
6000'
Sunday
Night
5500'
East Central
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
8000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7500'
Sunday
Evening
7000'
Sunday
Night
7000'
East South
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
9500'
Saturday
Night
7500'
Sunday
Morning
7000'
Sunday
Afternoon
7500'
Sunday
Evening
7500'
Sunday
Night
7500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Saturday
Evening*
10000'
Saturday
Night
8000'
Sunday
Morning
7000'
Sunday
Afternoon
6500'
Sunday
Evening
6000'
Sunday
Night
6000'
Issued: 1:45 PM PST Saturday, November 27, 2021
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
42 / 39
39 / 37
West North
41 / 39
39 / 36
West Central
42 / 38
38 / 36
West South
43 / 39
39 / 37
Stevens Pass
44 / 39
39 / 38
Snoqualmie Pass
42 / 38
38 / 36
East North
42 / 34
39 / 37
East Central
43 / 38
39 / 37
East South
42 / 38
40 / 36
Mt. Hood
44 / 41
44 / 39
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
42 / 39
Sunday
39 / 37
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
41 / 39
Sunday
39 / 36
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
42 / 38
Sunday
38 / 36
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
43 / 39
Sunday
39 / 37
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
44 / 39
Sunday
39 / 38
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
42 / 38
Sunday
38 / 36
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
42 / 34
Sunday
39 / 37
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
43 / 38
Sunday
39 / 37
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
42 / 38
Sunday
40 / 36
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
44 / 41
Sunday
44 / 39
Issued: 1:45 PM PST Saturday, November 27, 2021
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Morning
Sunday
Afternoon
Olympics
SW 30-40
SW 35-50
WSW 20-30
W 10-20
West North
SSW 35-50
SSW 40-55
SW 25-35
WSW 10-20
West Central
SW 30-40
SW 35-50
WSW 30-40
WSW 15-25
West South
WSW 25-35
WSW 25-35
WSW 20-30
WSW 15-25
Stevens Pass
WSW 15-25
WSW 20-30
WSW 20-30
WSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
WSW 25-35
WSW 25-35
WSW 30-40
WSW 15-25
East North
SW 20-30
WSW 30-40
W 25-35
W 15-25
East Central
WSW 30-40
WSW 35-50
W 35-50
W 25-35
East South
WSW 35-50
WSW 40-55
W 35-50
W 30-40
Mt. Hood
WSW 30-40
WSW 40-55
W 35-50
W 25-35
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
SW
30-40
Saturday
Night
SW
35-50
Sunday
Morning
WSW
20-30
Sunday
Afternoon
W
10-20
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
SSW
35-50
Saturday
Night
SSW
40-55
Sunday
Morning
SW
25-35
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
SW
30-40
Saturday
Night
SW
35-50
Sunday
Morning
WSW
30-40
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
15-25
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WSW
25-35
Saturday
Night
WSW
25-35
Sunday
Morning
WSW
20-30
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
15-25
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WSW
15-25
Saturday
Night
WSW
20-30
Sunday
Morning
WSW
20-30
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WSW
25-35
Saturday
Night
WSW
25-35
Sunday
Morning
WSW
30-40
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
15-25
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
SW
20-30
Saturday
Night
WSW
30-40
Sunday
Morning
W
25-35
Sunday
Afternoon
W
15-25
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WSW
30-40
Saturday
Night
WSW
35-50
Sunday
Morning
W
35-50
Sunday
Afternoon
W
25-35
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WSW
35-50
Saturday
Night
WSW
40-55
Sunday
Morning
W
35-50
Sunday
Afternoon
W
30-40
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WSW
30-40
Saturday
Night
WSW
40-55
Sunday
Morning
W
35-50
Sunday
Afternoon
W
25-35
Issued: 1:45 PM PST Saturday, November 27, 2021
Extended Weather Synopsis
Any break in the weather Monday night looks short-lived. Yet another atmospheric river will begin to bear down on the Pacific Northwest. Right now, the firehose appears to focus further north into Canada, which will help limit the amount of rain in our region. The greatest precipitation totals should occur in the northern half of the forecast area at locations like Hurricane Ridge and Mt Baker with significantly less rain near Mt Hood. Warm temperatures will once again send snow levels upward, topping out around 8000-10000' Tuesday night. This atmospheric river appears to end quickly, with lingering showers and slightly cooler weather in store for Wednesday.
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).