A frontal system moves into our region, rounding the top of a high-pressure system off the California coastline. A discontinuous rain band has reached the Olympic Peninsula on Wednesday afternoon. Precipitation should gradually increase in coverage as it moves into the Cascades and Olympics during the evening hours.
Easterly low-level flow could bring several hours of freezing rain to Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass and areas just east of the passes as the precipitation moves in Wednesday evening, but with temperatures currently around 38F at Snoqualmie Pass, freezing rain seems less likely. Overnight, moderate precipitation increasingly changes to all rain event as rain/snow lines rise to 6000-8000 ft and the cold front approaches and ridgeline WSW winds increase into the moderate to occasionally strong range.
The cold front arrives Thursday morning with moderate to heavy rain and high elevation snow. The frontal passage should taper to light rain and snow to showers by late morning. Mid-level cooler air arrives in the afternoon, bringing some snow back to locations mostly above the passes. Modest convergence could develop in the Stevens Pass vicinity. Strong W ridgeline winds behind the front should focus on the east slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood.
The trough beind the front will continue to bring light rain and snow shower activity with lowering snow levels Thursday evening with precipitation ending by Friday morning as a ridge of high pressure amplifies just offshore. Snow levels should drop to Pass levels.
Friday should be cooler with mix of decreasing clouds and sun. Temperatures remain above normal.
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
Increasing light rain and highest elevation snow.
Thursday
Decreasing light rain and snow showers, mostly ending by the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow becoming moderate overnight.
Thursday
Moderate to heavy rain and snow tapering to light shower activity in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing light rain and high elevation snow becoming moderate overnight.
Thursday
Moderate to heavy rain and snow in the morning. Light rain, snow showers, and moderate convergence in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing light rain and high elevation and snow becoming moderate to heavy at Paradise and light to moderate at White Pass.
Thursday
Moderate to heavy rain and snow in the morning at Paradise, moderate at White Pass, and light at Crystal; all tapering to light rain and snow showers from late morning onwards. Strong ridgeline winds at times.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing light rain and snow becoming moderate overnight. Freezing rain may mix with rain early at Pass level. Light E winds at the Pass.
Thursday
Moderate to heavy rain and snow through mid-morning. Moderate rain and snow shower activity with convergence likely in the afternoon. E wind switching to moderate W in the early morning.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing light rain and snow becoming moderate overnight. Freezing rain may mix with rain early at Pass level. Light E winds at the Pass.
Thursday
Moderate to heavy rain and snow through mid-morning. Moderate rain and snow shower activity with convergence possible in the afternoon. E wind switching to moderate W in the early morning.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing light rain and snow.
Thursday
Moderate rain and snow tapering to light showers by late morning.
Wednesday
Night
Increasing light rain, freezing rain, and snow becoming moderate in the early morning hours.
Thursday
Moderate rain and snow tapering to light showers and convergence spillover by late morning. Strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and high elevation snow developing.
Thursday
Light rain and high elevation snow tapering to light showers and ending during the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and high elevation snow becoming moderate overnight. Strong ridgeline wind gusts.
Thursday
Moderate to heavy rain and snow in the morning tapering to light showers in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds.
Issued: 2:17 PM PST Wednesday, January 19, 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
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
0.50 - 0.75
0.75
LT 0.25
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0.50 - 0.75
0.75
0.25
0
Stevens Pass
0.50
0.75
0.25 - 0.50
0
Snoqualmie Pass
0.50 - 0.75
0.75 -1.00
0.25 - 0.50
0
Crystal Mt
LT 0.25
0.25
LT 0.10
0
Paradise
0.50 - 0.75
0.75 -1.00
LT 0.25
0
White Pass
0.25
0.50
LT 0.10
0
Washington Pass
0.25
0.50
LT 0.25
0
Mission Ridge
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0.25
0.50 - 0.75
0.25
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
LT 0.10
0.25
LT 0.10
0
Mt Hood Meadows
0.25
0.50 - 0.75
LT 0.10
0
Timberline
0.25
0.50 - 0.75
LT 0.10
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday
0.75
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday
0.75
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
0
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.50
Thursday
0.75
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday
0.75 -1.00
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday
0.75 -1.00
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Issued: 2:17 PM PST Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Snow Level (ft)
Wednesday
Evening*
Wednesday
Night*
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Thursday
Evening
Thursday
Night
Friday
Morning
Friday
Afternoon
Olympics
7500'
8000'
6000'
4500'
3000'
3000'
5000'
8000'
West North
4000'
6000'
5000'
4500'
2500'
2500'
3000'
3500'
West Central
5000'
6500'
6000'
5000'
3000'
2500'
3500'
3500'
West South
6000'
7500'
6500'
5000'
3000'
2500'
3500'
4500'
Stevens Pass
4000'
6500'
6000'
5000'
3000'
2500'
3500'
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass
5500'
7500'
6500'
5000'
3500'
3000'
3500'
4000'
East North
3500'
4000'
5000'
4500'
2500'
2000'
3000'
4000'
East Central
4000'
6500'
6500'
5000'
3500'
3000'
3500'
4500'
East South
6000'
8000'
7500'
5550'
3500'
2500'
3500'
5500'
Mt. Hood
7500'
8000'
7500'
5500'
4000'
2500'
3500'
6000'
Olympics
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
7500'
Wednesday
Night*
8000'
Thursday
Morning
6000'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
3000'
Friday
Morning
5000'
Friday
Afternoon
8000'
West North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
4000'
Wednesday
Night*
6000'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
Thursday
Evening
2500'
Thursday
Night
2500'
Friday
Morning
3000'
Friday
Afternoon
3500'
West Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
5000'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning
6000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
2500'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
3500'
West South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
6000'
Wednesday
Night*
7500'
Thursday
Morning
6500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
2500'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
4500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
4000'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning
6000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
2500'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
5500'
Wednesday
Night*
7500'
Thursday
Morning
6500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
3000'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
4000'
East North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3500'
Wednesday
Night*
4000'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
Thursday
Evening
2500'
Thursday
Night
2000'
Friday
Morning
3000'
Friday
Afternoon
4000'
East Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
4000'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning
6500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
3000'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
4500'
East South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
6000'
Wednesday
Night*
8000'
Thursday
Morning
7500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5550'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
2500'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
5500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
7500'
Wednesday
Night*
8000'
Thursday
Morning
7500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5500'
Thursday
Evening
4000'
Thursday
Night
2500'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
6000'
Issued: 2:17 PM PST Wednesday, January 19, 2022
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
37 / 36
34 / 25
West North
35 / 31
36 / 27
West Central
36 / 32
36 / 25
West South
37 / 34
36 / 28
Stevens Pass
36 / 32
36 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass
36 / 33
36 / 26
East North
33 / 23
35 / 25
East Central
36 / 31
36 / 26
East South
37 / 34
36 / 28
Mt. Hood
38 / 36
37 / 31
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
37 / 36
Thursday
34 / 25
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
35 / 31
Thursday
36 / 27
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 32
Thursday
36 / 25
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
37 / 34
Thursday
36 / 28
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 32
Thursday
36 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 33
Thursday
36 / 26
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
33 / 23
Thursday
35 / 25
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
36 / 31
Thursday
36 / 26
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
37 / 34
Thursday
36 / 28
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
38 / 36
Thursday
37 / 31
Issued: 2:17 PM PST Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
SW 10-20
SW 20-30
WSW 15-25
WSW 10-20
West North
SSW 10-20
SSW 10-20
WSW 20-30
WSW 20-30
West Central
SSW 5-15
SW 15-25
WSW 20-30
WNW 20-30
West South
SW 10-20
WSW 15-25
WSW 20-30
W 25-35
Stevens Pass
SW 5-15
WSW 10-20
WSW 25-35
W 25-35
Snoqualmie Pass
SW 5-15
WSW 10-20
W 25-35
W 25-35
East North
SW 10-20
SW 10-20
WSW 20-30
W 30-40
East Central
WSW 10-20
WSW 20-30
W 30-40
W 30-40
East South
WSW 10-20
WSW 20-30
W 25-35
W 25-35
Mt. Hood
WSW 15-25
WSW 20-30
WSW 25-35
W 30-40
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
WSW
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SSW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
20-30
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SSW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
SW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
WNW
20-30
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
WSW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
W
25-35
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
W
25-35
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
W
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
W
25-35
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
W
30-40
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
W
30-40
Thursday
Afternoon
W
30-40
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
W
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
W
25-35
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
WSW
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
W
30-40
Issued: 2:17 PM PST Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Extended Weather Synopsis
A high pressure centered just off the northern California coastline extends a blocking ridge northward, keeping our weather mostly clear Friday night and sunny on Saturday under NNW flow aloft. Sinking air under the high pressure will result in sufficiently rapid warming of our mid-level atmosphere that many NWAC weather stations should overcome typical diurnal cooling, resulting in warming temperatures overnight. Expect a spring-like day on Saturday with freezing levels rising to 10,000-11,500 ft by the afternoon. Saturday night remains mild, but clouds should increase and temperatures cool somewhat Saturday night and Sunday as a shortwave transits over the top of the ridge through British Columbia on Sunday.
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).