Issued: 4:01 PM 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 Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis

4 PM Update: Increased Friday precipitation forecasts for West North, West Central Cascade zones. 

Weak warm frontal moisture will ride up and over an upper level ridge parked off our coast through Thursday, resulting in a period of light to moderate snowfall, a slow but steady warming trend, and moderate to locally strong W-NW ridgeline winds. The first tips of the mountain precipitation gauges have begun to show up at mountain weather stations as precipitation works into the area from the NW. 

Snowfall rates should increase Wednesday night, with moderate snowfall more likely for the west slopes of the Cascades, especially from Snoqualmie Pass and northward.  Snow levels will creep up slowly over the next 24 hours with the rain line rising more quickly over the Olympics and much more gradually over the Cascades. WNW ridgeline winds will be moderate to locally strong this afternoon through Thursday morning with even stronger winds developing in alpine areas.   

Steady light snow will slowly decrease during the day on Thursday along the west slopes of the Cascades with cloudy conditions lingering along the east of the Cascades crest. Temperatures will continue to warm slighlty during the day on Thursday.  Storm totals of 3-10" looks likely for the west slopes of the Cascades through Thursday afternoon with lower amounts elsewhere.  

We'll see a brief break in the weather Thursday night with perhaps just some light rain and snow lingering near the Canadian border. A frontal system will sweep through the region Friday afternoon with the heaviest precipitation near and north of Snoqualmie Pass along the west slopes of the Cascades. Snow levels will in the 3000-4500' range. This system will also feature winds ramping up quickly in the 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
Wednesday Night Light rain and snow.
Thursday Periods of light rain and snow.
Wednesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow.
Thursday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow tapering off in the afternoon
Wednesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow.
Thursday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow tapering off in the afternoon
Wednesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow.
Thursday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow tapering off in the afternoon
Wednesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow. Moderate westerly pass level and ridgeline winds.
Thursday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow tapering off in the afternoon. Light westerly pass level winds, moderate at ridgeline.
Wednesday Night Light to moderate snow. Moderate westerly pass level and ridgeline winds.
Thursday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow tapering off in the afternoon. Light westerly pass level winds, moderate at ridgeline.
Wednesday Night Light snow, occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest.
Thursday Light snow, occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest tapering off in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light snow, occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds.
Thursday Light snow, occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest tapering off in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Light snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Thursday Light rain and snow tapering off mid-day and becoming mostly cloudy.
Wednesday Night Light snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Thursday Light rain and snow tapering off in the morning and becoming mostly cloudy. Strong ridgeline wind decreasing in the afternoon.

Issued: 4:01 PM PST Wednesday, February 2, 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 LT 0.25 0 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.50 0.25 LT 0.10 0.50
Stevens Pass 0.50 0.25 LT 0.10 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 LT 0.10 0.25
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10
Paradise 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0 0.25
White Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 0
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 0
Timberline 0.25 LT 0.10 0 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night 0
Friday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night 0
Friday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0

Issued: 4:01 PM PST Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon Thursday Evening* Thursday Night* Friday Morning* Friday Afternoon
Olympics 2000' 4000' 4500' 5000' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3500'
West North 500' 1500' 1500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3000'
West Central 1000' 1500' 2000' 3000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3000'
West South 1500' 2500' 3000' 3500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500'
Stevens Pass 1000' 1500' 2000' 3000' 3500' 4000' 4000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 1500' 2000' 2500' 3000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3000'
East North 500' 500' 1000' 3500' 3000' 2000' 3000' 3500'
East Central 1000' 1000' 2000' 3000' 3000' 2500' 3500' 3500'
East South 1000' 1500' 2500' 3000' 3500' 3500' 4000' 3500'
Mt. Hood 2000' 2500' 3000' 3500' 4500' 6000' 6500' 4500'
Olympics Elevation
Wednesday Evening 2000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 4500'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Thursday Evening* 4500'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday Morning* 3500'
Friday Afternoon 3500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Evening 500'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday Morning 1500'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
Thursday Evening* 3000'
Thursday Night* 3500'
Friday Morning* 3500'
Friday Afternoon 3000'
West Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening 1000'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
Thursday Evening* 4000'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday Morning* 4000'
Friday Afternoon 3000'
West South Elevation
Wednesday Evening 1500'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
Thursday Evening* 4500'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday Morning* 4000'
Friday Afternoon 3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening 1000'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
Thursday Evening* 3500'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday Morning* 4000'
Friday Afternoon 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening 1500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning 2500'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
Thursday Evening* 4000'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday Morning* 4000'
Friday Afternoon 3000'
East North Elevation
Wednesday Evening 500'
Wednesday Night 500'
Thursday Morning 1000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
Thursday Evening* 3000'
Thursday Night* 2000'
Friday Morning* 3000'
Friday Afternoon 3500'
East Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening 1000'
Wednesday Night 1000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
Thursday Evening* 3000'
Thursday Night* 2500'
Friday Morning* 3500'
Friday Afternoon 3500'
East South Elevation
Wednesday Evening 1000'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday Morning 2500'
Thursday Afternoon 3000'
Thursday Evening* 3500'
Thursday Night* 3500'
Friday Morning* 4000'
Friday Afternoon 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening 2000'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
Thursday Evening* 4500'
Thursday Night* 6000'
Friday Morning* 6500'
Friday Afternoon 4500'

Issued: 4:01 PM PST Wednesday, February 2, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Wednesday Night Thursday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 30 / 26 33 / 30
West North 28 / 22 29 / 26
West Central 26 / 23 30 / 26
West South 27 / 25 30 / 26
Stevens Pass 27 / 24 30 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 27 / 24 30 / 26
East North 27 / 21 30 / 25
East Central 27 / 24 31 / 26
East South 26 / 25 32 / 26
Mt. Hood 29 / 26 32 / 27
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 30 / 26
Thursday 33 / 30
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 28 / 22
Thursday 29 / 26
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 26 / 23
Thursday 30 / 26
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 27 / 25
Thursday 30 / 26
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 27 / 24
Thursday 30 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 27 / 24
Thursday 30 / 26
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 27 / 21
Thursday 30 / 25
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 27 / 24
Thursday 31 / 26
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 26 / 25
Thursday 32 / 26
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 29 / 26
Thursday 32 / 27

Issued: 4:01 PM PST Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 4:01 PM PST Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

A trailing upper level shortwave will keep post-frontal showers and snowfall accumulation going through much of Friday night.  A strong ridge of high pressure will rebuild offshore on Saturday, leading to a drying trend although low-level clouds will likely stick around for much of Saturday especially along the west slopes of the Cascades.  The ridge of high pressure will take control for the latter half of the weekend with mild and dry conditions expected. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday *
West North 2000' 3500' 6500' 7000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 3500' 7500' 8000'
Mt. Hood 4000' 7000' 9000' 10000'
West North Elevation
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday 3500'
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday * 7000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Night 2500'
Saturday 3500'
Saturday Night 7500'
Sunday * 8000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday 7000'
Saturday Night 9000'
Sunday * 10000'

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

Previous forecast from Feb 2, 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’.