An atmospheric river comprised of three successive waves continues to bring heavy precipitation (increasingly rain) and unseasonably mild temperatures. The second wave of moisture is associated with a shortwave trough moving over the region on WSW flow. This feature brings the heaviest and most widespread precipitation of the atmospheric river with heavy precipitation across the mountains of Washington State through Tuesday night. Expect 1-2" of water for the west slopes of the Cascades from Paradise to Mt. Baker overnight. This wave should bring in the mild and increasingly warmer air with an uptick in wind speeds. Expect moderate winds in most areas, but strong ridgeline WSW winds for parts of the east slopes of the Cascades Tuesday night. As warm air mixes the cold air pool out, below-freezing temperatures (and freezing rain) become increasingly relegated to more isolated pockets in deep valley locations across the east slopes of the Cascades north of highway 2. Washington Pass will flirt with rain, snow and freezing rain, but increasingly change to rain as the westerly wind component overpowers the weak east flow.
A more significant low pressure well offshore lifts the stalled frontal boundary over our region northward, bringing further increases in snow level and a decrease or end to rainfall from south to north on Wednesday. Much of Washington State from highway 20 southward should be in the dry sector by the afternoon. The offshore low should bring rain and high elevation snow Olympics and possibly the Cascades. Snow levels should also lower slightly.
A weak trough settles over the region Thursday with snow levels dropping to 4000-6000 ft and light to moderate shower activity across the region.
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
Moderate rain becoming light to moderate overnight.
Wednesday
Decreasing light rain.
Tuesday
Night
Moderate rain and high elevation snow decreases overnight.
Wednesday
Decreasing moderate rain.
Tuesday
Night
Heavy rain and highest elevation snow.
Wednesday
Moderate to heavy rain becoming light or ending in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Heavy rain and highest elevation snow at Paradise; light to moderate at Crystal and White Pass.
Wednesday
Light rain tapering to sprinkles by mid-morning.
Tuesday
Night
Heavy rain and highest elevation snow. Variable and generally light winds at the Pass.
Wednesday
Light rain tapering and ending during the afternoon. Variable winds switching light E in the afternoon at the Pass.
Tuesday
Night
Heavy rain and highest elevation snow. Variable and generally light winds at the Pass.
Wednesday
Light rain tapering and ending during the afternoon. Variable winds switching light E in the afternoon at the Pass.
Tuesday
Night
Moderate to heavy rain and snow mixing with freezing rain at lower elevations and becoming light overnight.
Wednesday
Light rain and highest elevation snow with freezing rain possible deep valleys.
Tuesday
Night
Moderate to heavy rain and snow western part. Light rain and snow further east. Strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Light rain tapering and ending during the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Light rain.
Wednesday
Light rain ending early, then becoming mostly cloudy.
Tuesday
Night
Light rain and highest elevation snow. Strong ridgeline wind gusts.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy.
Issued: 2:14 PM PST Tuesday, January 11, 2022
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
0.75
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
1.00
0.75 -1.00
LT 0.25
0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
1.50
0.75
LT 0.25
0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass
1.00 - 1.50
0.50
LT 0.10
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
1.50
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.25
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0.25 - 0.50
Paradise
1.50
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.25
0.50
White Pass
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass
0.75 -1.00
0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
1.00
0.25
LT 0.10
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.25
0.50
Timberline
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.25
0.50
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.75
Wednesday
0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.00
Wednesday
0.75 -1.00
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.50
Wednesday
0.75
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday
0.50
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.50
Wednesday
0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.50
Wednesday
0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.50
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.75 -1.00
Wednesday
0.25
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.25
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.00
Wednesday
0.25
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.25
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.50
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.50
Issued: 2:14 PM PST Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Snow Level (ft)
Tuesday
Evening*
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon*
Wednesday
Evening*
Wednesday
Night*
Thursday
Morning*
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
7000'
8000'
8000'
8000'
7500'
6500'
5500'
5000'
West North
5000'
6000'
7000'
7500'
7000'
7000'
5500'
4500'
West Central
6000'
7000'
7500'
7500'
7000'
7000'
5500'
4500'
West South
6500'
8000'
8000'
8000'
9000'
6500'
5500'
4000'
Stevens Pass
6000'
7000'
7500'
7500'
8500'
6500'
4500'
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass
6500'
7000'
8000'
7500'
8500'
7000'
5500'
4000'
East North
5000'
5500'
7000'
6500'
7500'
7000'
4500'
4000'
East Central
6500'
7500'
8000'
7500'
9500'
7500'
5500'
4500'
East South
6500'
8500'
8500'
9500'
9500'
7000'
5500'
4500'
Mt. Hood
7500'
8500'
9500'
10500'
10500'
7500'
6000'
4000'
Olympics
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
7000'
Tuesday
Night
8000'
Wednesday
Morning
8000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
8000'
Wednesday
Evening*
7500'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
West North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
5000'
Tuesday
Night
6000'
Wednesday
Morning
7000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
7500'
Wednesday
Evening*
7000'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
West Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
6000'
Tuesday
Night
7000'
Wednesday
Morning
7500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
7500'
Wednesday
Evening*
7000'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
West South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
6500'
Tuesday
Night
8000'
Wednesday
Morning
8000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
8000'
Wednesday
Evening*
9000'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
6000'
Tuesday
Night
7000'
Wednesday
Morning
7500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
7500'
Wednesday
Evening*
8500'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning*
4500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
6500'
Tuesday
Night
7000'
Wednesday
Morning
8000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
7500'
Wednesday
Evening*
8500'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
East North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
5000'
Tuesday
Night
5500'
Wednesday
Morning
7000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
6500'
Wednesday
Evening*
7500'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning*
4500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
East Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
6500'
Tuesday
Night
7500'
Wednesday
Morning
8000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
7500'
Wednesday
Evening*
9500'
Wednesday
Night*
7500'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
East South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
6500'
Tuesday
Night
8500'
Wednesday
Morning
8500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
9500'
Wednesday
Evening*
9500'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
7500'
Tuesday
Night
8500'
Wednesday
Morning
9500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
10500'
Wednesday
Evening*
10500'
Wednesday
Night*
7500'
Thursday
Morning*
6000'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
Issued: 2:14 PM PST Tuesday, January 11, 2022
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
38 / 36
39 / 37
West North
37 / 34
38 / 37
West Central
37 / 35
38 / 37
West South
38 / 35
39 / 37
Stevens Pass
38 / 36
38 / 37
Snoqualmie Pass
38 / 35
39 / 38
East North
38 / 33
38 / 37
East Central
38 / 35
38 / 37
East South
37 / 36
39 / 37
Mt. Hood
38 / 35
41 / 38
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
38 / 36
Wednesday
39 / 37
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
37 / 34
Wednesday
38 / 37
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
37 / 35
Wednesday
38 / 37
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
38 / 35
Wednesday
39 / 37
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
38 / 36
Wednesday
38 / 37
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
38 / 35
Wednesday
39 / 38
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
38 / 33
Wednesday
38 / 37
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
38 / 35
Wednesday
38 / 37
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
37 / 36
Wednesday
39 / 37
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
38 / 35
Wednesday
41 / 38
Issued: 2:14 PM PST Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon
Olympics
SW 20-30
WSW 15-25
SW 20-30
SSW 25-35
West North
SSW 20-30
SW 15-25
SSW 10-20
SSW 20-30
West Central
SW 25-35
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
West South
SW 30-40
WSW 25-35
SW 20-30
SSW 10-20
Stevens Pass
WSW 20-30
WSW 20-30
WSW 15-25
WSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
SW 15-25
W 15-25
WSW 15-25
WSW 15-25
East North
SW 20-30
WSW 20-30
WSW 15-25
SW 15-25
East Central
WSW 30-40
WSW 25-35
WSW 25-35
WSW 20-30
East South
WSW 25-35
WSW 25-35
WSW 20-30
WSW 10-20
Mt. Hood
WSW 25-35
WSW 15-25
WSW 15-25
SW 10-20
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
20-30
Tuesday
Night
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Morning
SW
20-30
Wednesday
Afternoon
SSW
25-35
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SSW
20-30
Tuesday
Night
SW
15-25
Wednesday
Morning
SSW
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
SSW
20-30
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
25-35
Tuesday
Night
SW
15-25
Wednesday
Morning
SW
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
SW
15-25
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
30-40
Tuesday
Night
WSW
25-35
Wednesday
Morning
SW
20-30
Wednesday
Afternoon
SSW
10-20
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
WSW
20-30
Tuesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
15-25
Tuesday
Night
W
15-25
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
WSW
15-25
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
20-30
Tuesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
SW
15-25
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
WSW
30-40
Tuesday
Night
WSW
25-35
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
25-35
Wednesday
Afternoon
WSW
20-30
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
WSW
25-35
Tuesday
Night
WSW
25-35
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
20-30
Wednesday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
WSW
25-35
Tuesday
Night
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
Issued: 2:14 PM PST Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Extended Weather Synopsis
Rain and snow shower activity should end in southern parts of our forecast region Thursday night, with dry weather overnight through Saturday as a ridge of high pressure dominates the region through Saturday. Expect temperatures only slightly above normal Thursday night and Friday with above normal temperatures particularly west of the Cascade Crest late Friday into Saturday. Southern parts of the forecast region should have better chances for sunshine as weather systems spill over the ridge into British Columbia.
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).