The northward lifting warm front exiting our region Wednesday afternoon should be north of the US-Canadian border by the evening. This leaves the region mostly dry in the warm sector of the storm under mostly cloudy skies with decreasing light to moderate SSW winds, and very mild. Temperatures should remain unseasonably mild with 5000 ft temperatures in the 35-40 degree range. The trailing offshore low takes its time approaching the mouth of the Columbia River overnight, spreading periods of light rain back into the region in the early morning hours. The associated trough should bring in cooler air particularly by Thursday morning, but particularly for the southern Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood on Thursday. Snow levels should be in the 4500-5500 ft range. Most area areas will see light rain and snow from late Wednesday night through mid-day Thursday, but rain and snow should continue throughout the day at Mt. Hood. Higher elevations on the southern Washington and Mt. Hood volcanoes may experience a brief period of stronger winds as an upper-level front passes with a wind shift.
A ridge of high pressure moves into the region Thursday night allowing skies to mostly clear (and valley fog to form). The ridge slides slightly east of the Cascades by Friday afternoon. This will allow freezing levels to rise significantly once again on Friday. Light E winds should keep cooler (but not cold) air east of the Cascade Crest and through the Passes. Mid and high-level clouds should increase across the region during the day.
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
Decreasing light rain showers in the evening, then increasing periods of rain after midnight. Strong ridgeline wind gusts possible after midnight.
Thursday
Decreasing light rain and snow showers with sun breaks likely in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Periods of light rain increasing in the early morning hours. Strong wind gusts possible.
Thursday
Light rain and high elevation snow showers tapering to sprikles/flurries in the afternoon. Some sun breaks in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Periods of light rain mainly after midnight.
Thursday
Periods of light rain and high elevation snow in the morning, tapering to light sprinkles/flurries in the afternoon. Some sun breaks in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Mostly cloudy in the evening with periods of light rain possible after midnight.
Thursday
Moderate rain and high elevation snow in the morning at Paradise and Mt. St Helens; light at Crystal and White Pass. Becoming light everywhere in the afternoon. Some sun breaks in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Cloudy with periods of light rain possible in the early morning hours. Light to occasionally moderate E wind at the Pass.
Thursday
Light rain and high elevation snow tapering to a mix of sun breaks and sprinkles/flurries in the afternoon. Decreasing light E winds at the Pass.
Wednesday
Night
Cloudy with periods of light rain possible in the early morning hours. Light to moderate E wind at the Pass.
Thursday
Light to moderate rain and high elevation snow tapering to a mix of sun breaks and sprinkles/flurries in the afternoon. Decreasing light E winds at the Pass.
Wednesday
Night
Very light rain or drizzle at times.
Thursday
Very light rain and snow ending in the morning. Sun breaks are likely in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Mostly cloudy with very light rain possible in the early morning hours.
Thursday
Light rain and high elevation snow tapering off by around noon with some sun breaks in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Mostly cloudy with very light rain possible in the early morning hours.
Thursday
Light rain and high elevation snow ending by around noon with some sun breaks in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Mostly cloudy with very light rain possible in the early morning hours.
Thursday
Moderate rain and snow. Strong winds are possible late morning.
Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, January 12, 2022
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
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
0
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
0
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.10
0.25
0
0
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0
0
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.10
0.25
0
0
Crystal Mt
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0
0
Paradise
LT 0.10
0.50
0
0
White Pass
LT 0.10
0.25
0
0
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Mission Ridge
0
LT 0.10
0
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.10
0.25
0
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0
0
Mt Hood Meadows
LT 0.10
0.50
LT 0.10
0
Timberline
LT 0.10
0.50
LT 0.10
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Snow Level (ft)
Wednesday
Evening*
Wednesday
Night*
Thursday
Morning*
Thursday
Afternoon
Thursday
Evening*
Thursday
Night*
Friday
Morning*
Friday
Afternoon*
Olympics
8000'
7000'
5500'
5000'
7000'
9500'
9500'
9500'
West North
7500'
7000'
5500'
5500'
6000'
5500'
5500'
7500'
West Central
8000'
7500'
5500'
5500'
5500'
6000'
6000'
8500'
West South
8500'
5500'
5000'
4500'
5500'
5000'
5000'
9000'
Stevens Pass
8500'
6500'
5000'
5500'
5500'
5500'
5500'
7000'
Snoqualmie Pass
8500'
6500'
5000'
5000'
5500'
5500'
5500'
8000'
East North
8000'
7500'
4500'
5500'
5500'
5000'
4500'
5000'
East Central
9000'
6500'
5000'
5500'
5500'
5000'
4500'
5500'
East South
9000'
5500'
5500'
4500'
5000'
4500'
4500'
8500'
Mt. Hood
10500'
8500'
6000'
4500'
4500'
7000'
8000'
11000'
Olympics
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
8000'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Thursday
Evening*
7000'
Thursday
Night*
9500'
Friday
Morning*
9500'
Friday
Afternoon*
9500'
West North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
7500'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5500'
Thursday
Evening*
6000'
Thursday
Night*
5500'
Friday
Morning*
5500'
Friday
Afternoon*
7500'
West Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
8000'
Wednesday
Night*
7500'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5500'
Thursday
Evening*
5500'
Thursday
Night*
6000'
Friday
Morning*
6000'
Friday
Afternoon*
8500'
West South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
8500'
Wednesday
Night*
5500'
Thursday
Morning*
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
Thursday
Evening*
5500'
Thursday
Night*
5000'
Friday
Morning*
5000'
Friday
Afternoon*
9000'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
8500'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning*
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5500'
Thursday
Evening*
5500'
Thursday
Night*
5500'
Friday
Morning*
5500'
Friday
Afternoon*
7000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
8500'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning*
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Thursday
Evening*
5500'
Thursday
Night*
5500'
Friday
Morning*
5500'
Friday
Afternoon*
8000'
East North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
8000'
Wednesday
Night*
7500'
Thursday
Morning*
4500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5500'
Thursday
Evening*
5500'
Thursday
Night*
5000'
Friday
Morning*
4500'
Friday
Afternoon*
5000'
East Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
9000'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning*
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5500'
Thursday
Evening*
5500'
Thursday
Night*
5000'
Friday
Morning*
4500'
Friday
Afternoon*
5500'
East South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
9000'
Wednesday
Night*
5500'
Thursday
Morning*
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
Thursday
Evening*
5000'
Thursday
Night*
4500'
Friday
Morning*
4500'
Friday
Afternoon*
8500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
10500'
Wednesday
Night*
8500'
Thursday
Morning*
6000'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
Thursday
Evening*
4500'
Thursday
Night*
7000'
Friday
Morning*
8000'
Friday
Afternoon*
11000'
Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, January 12, 2022
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
37 / 34
34 / 33
West North
37 / 32
34 / 30
West Central
36 / 29
34 / 29
West South
36 / 31
33 / 25
Stevens Pass
35 / 29
34 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass
36 / 27
34 / 28
East North
37 / 26
35 / 27
East Central
37 / 28
34 / 26
East South
38 / 31
33 / 27
Mt. Hood
40 / 34
36 / 31
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
37 / 34
Thursday
34 / 33
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
37 / 32
Thursday
34 / 30
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 29
Thursday
34 / 29
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 31
Thursday
33 / 25
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
35 / 29
Thursday
34 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 27
Thursday
34 / 28
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
37 / 26
Thursday
35 / 27
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
37 / 28
Thursday
34 / 26
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
38 / 31
Thursday
33 / 27
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
40 / 34
Thursday
36 / 31
Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
SSW 20-30
SSW 15-25
S 5-15
VAR 0-10
West North
SSW 20-30
SSW 20-30
S 5-15
W 0-10
West Central
SSW 10-20
S 5-15
SSW 5-15
WNW 5-15
West South
SW 5-15
SW 15-25
SSW 5-15
SSW 0-10
Stevens Pass
SW 5-15
SSW 5-15
SW 0-10
NW 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass
WSW 5-15
S 0-10
SW 0-10
N 0-10
East North
WSW 15-25
SW 5-15
WSW 5-15
WNW 5-15
East Central
WSW 15-25
SSW 10-20
SW 5-15
NW 0-10
East South
WSW 10-20
SSW 5-15
SW 5-15
WSW 0-10
Mt. Hood
SW 10-20
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
WSW 10-20
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SSW
20-30
Wednesday
Night
SSW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
S
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
VAR
0-10
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SSW
20-30
Wednesday
Night
SSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
S
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
W
0-10
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SSW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
S
5-15
Thursday
Morning
SSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
SW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
SSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
SSW
0-10
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
SSW
5-15
Thursday
Morning
SW
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
NW
0-10
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
S
0-10
Thursday
Morning
SW
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
N
0-10
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Night
SW
5-15
Thursday
Morning
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Night
SSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
SW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
NW
0-10
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SSW
5-15
Thursday
Morning
SW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
0-10
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
SW
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Extended Weather Synopsis
The ridge gradually flattens Friday night and Saturday. The region remains mostly cloudy and a disturbance might bring some very light rain and snow to areas near the Canadian Border on Saturday. Further ridging builds into the region from offshore Saturday night and Sunday with sunshine increasingly likely in southern and eastern portions of our forecast region. Temperatures remain well above seasonal norms throughout the forecast period.
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).