Issued: 7:06 AM PST Wednesday, February 2, 2022
by Dennis D'Amico

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I

Weather Synopsis

Weak warm frontal moisture will ride up and over an upper level ridge parked off our coast today through Thursday bringing light to moderate snowfall to our mountains, a slow but steady warming trend and increasing W-NW ridgeline winds. Weak echoes are already apparent on radar over the area this morning and light snowfall should develop for most areas later this morning through mid-day, increasing to steadier light snow in the afternoon.  More moderate snowfall is likely Wednesday night near and west of the Cascade crest with lighter amounts along the east slopes of the Cascades, Olympics and Mt Hood. Through Thursday afternoon, storm totals of 4-12 inches along the west slopes of the Cascades and Passes are likely with lighter amounts elsewhere.  

Snow levels will creep up slowly over the next 36 hours with the rain line working its way up the mountain more quickly over the Olympics and more gradually over the Cascades. The precipitation now looks to hang out through much of Thursday without much of a drying or clearing trend expected. WNW ridgeline winds will become moderate to locally strong this afternoon through Thursday morning with even stronger winds developing in alpine areas.   

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 Light snow developing this morning and increasing in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light rain and snow.
Wednesday Light snow developing this morning and increasing in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow.
Wednesday Light snow developing this morning and increasing in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow.
Wednesday Light snow developing later this morning and increasing in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow.
Wednesday Light snow developing this morning and increasing in the afternoon. Light east winds in the Passes, moderate NW winds at ridgeline.
Wednesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow. Moderate westerly pass level and ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Light snow developing later this morning and increasing in the afternoon. Light east winds in the Passes, moderate NW winds at ridgeline.
Wednesday Night Light to moderate snow. Moderate westerly pass level and ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Light snow developing near the Cascade crest this morning and increasing in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light snow, heaviest near the Cascade crest.
Wednesday Light snow developing near the Cascade crest later this morning and increasing in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light snow, heaviest near the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Light snow developing near the Cascade crest later this morning or midday and increasing in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light snow, heaviest near the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Light snow developing later this morning or midday and increasing in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds developing this afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow. Strong ridgeline winds.

Precipitation (in)

Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 0.50 LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 0.50 0.25
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 0.50 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.25
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.10
Paradise LT 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Washington Pass LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0 LT 0.10 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 LT 0.10 0
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Timberline LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Thursday 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10

Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics 1000' 1500' 2000' 4000' 4500' 5000'
West North 0 500' 500' 1500' 1500' 3000'
West Central 0 1000' 1000' 1500' 2000' 3000'
West South 500' 1000' 1500' 2500' 3000' 3500'
Stevens Pass 0 500' 1000' 1500' 2000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 500' 1000' 1500' 2000' 2500' 3000'
East North 0 500' 500' 500' 1000' 3500'
East Central 0 500' 1000' 1000' 2000' 3000'
East South 0 1000' 1000' 1500' 2500' 3500'
Mt. Hood 1000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 3000' 3500'
Olympics Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon 1500'
Wednesday Evening 2000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 4500'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon 500'
Wednesday Evening 500'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday Morning 1500'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
West Central Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon 1000'
Wednesday Evening 1000'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
West South Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon 1000'
Wednesday Evening 1500'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon 500'
Wednesday Evening 1000'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon 1000'
Wednesday Evening 1500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning 2500'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
East North Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon 500'
Wednesday Evening 500'
Wednesday Night 500'
Thursday Morning 1000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
East Central Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon 500'
Wednesday Evening 1000'
Wednesday Night 1000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
East South Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon 1000'
Wednesday Evening 1000'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday Morning 2500'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon 2000'
Wednesday Evening 2000'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Wednesday Wednesday Night
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 27 / 19 30 / 26
West North 22 / 14 27 / 21
West Central 25 / 14 26 / 22
West South 26 / 16 26 / 24
Stevens Pass 23 / 15 27 / 22
Snoqualmie Pass 23 / 16 27 / 23
East North 21 / 8 26 / 18
East Central 23 / 11 26 / 23
East South 25 / 13 26 / 24
Mt. Hood 27 / 17 28 / 25
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 27 / 19
Wednesday Night 30 / 26
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 22 / 14
Wednesday Night 27 / 21
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 25 / 14
Wednesday Night 26 / 22
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 26 / 16
Wednesday Night 26 / 24
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 23 / 15
Wednesday Night 27 / 22
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 23 / 16
Wednesday Night 27 / 23
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 21 / 8
Wednesday Night 26 / 18
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 23 / 11
Wednesday Night 26 / 23
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 25 / 13
Wednesday Night 26 / 24
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 27 / 17
Wednesday Night 28 / 25

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night
Olympics W 5-15 WNW 10-20 WSW 15-25 WSW 10-20
West North WSW 5-15 SW 10-20 WSW 10-20 WSW 15-25
West Central W 5-15 W 10-20 W 15-25 W 15-25
West South W 5-15 WNW 10-20 W 15-25 W 15-25
Stevens Pass WNW 5-15 WNW 10-20 WNW 15-25 WNW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass NW 10-20 WNW 15-25 WNW 15-25 WNW 10-20
East North WSW 5-15 WNW 15-25 WNW 15-25 WNW 10-20
East Central W 5-15 WNW 15-25 WNW 20-30 WNW 20-30
East South W 5-15 WNW 15-25 WNW 20-30 WNW 15-25
Mt. Hood NW 10-20 WNW 25-35 NW 25-35 WNW 20-30
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning W 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 10-20
Wednesday Evening WSW 15-25
Wednesday Night WSW 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning WSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SW 10-20
Wednesday Evening WSW 10-20
Wednesday Night WSW 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning W 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon W 10-20
Wednesday Evening W 15-25
Wednesday Night W 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning W 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 10-20
Wednesday Evening W 15-25
Wednesday Night W 15-25
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning WNW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 10-20
Wednesday Evening WNW 15-25
Wednesday Night WNW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning NW 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 15-25
Wednesday Evening WNW 15-25
Wednesday Night WNW 10-20
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning WSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 15-25
Wednesday Evening WNW 15-25
Wednesday Night WNW 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning W 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 15-25
Wednesday Evening WNW 20-30
Wednesday Night WNW 20-30
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning W 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 15-25
Wednesday Evening WNW 20-30
Wednesday Night WNW 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning NW 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 25-35
Wednesday Evening NW 25-35
Wednesday Night WNW 20-30

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I

Previous forecast from Feb 1, 2022

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).

The label LT, is shorthand for ‘less than’.