Dry and mostly clear weather will continue through the weekend, extending our lengthy dry stretch during what is climatologically speaking the wettest time of year. The biggest question this weekend will be how freezing levels play out across the forecast area. With strong high pressure and cold air anchored over the inland NW, we've seen offshore flow lead to moderate to locally strong east winds and a large West-East temperature gradient across the Cascade crest, including Mt. Hood, with much milder temperatures located to the west and cooler temperatures to the east.
On Saturday, those milder temperatures and high freezing levels will chip away at the colder air entrenched east of the Cascade crest. Even for the east-side, generally below-freezing temperatures are expected to moderate and rise over the weekend. In addition to the geographic differences in temperatures, expect to encounter strong temperature inversions. You'll likely be chilly at the trailhead or in the valley, and as you hit mid and upper elevations, the sun and rising temperatures with elevation should feel quite nice. The air mass is quite dry at those mid and higher elevations as well, and RH's (relative humidities) are very low (chapstick warning?).
On Sunday, we'll start to see some mid/high clouds grace the area. The clouds will be running ahead of a weak Pacific frontal system offshore. The air mass will become more mixed on Sunday, with less of a West-East temperature/freezing gradient across the Cascades.
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
Friday
Night
Mostly clear.
Saturday
Mostly sunny.
Friday
Night
Mostly clear.
Saturday
Mostly sunny.
Friday
Night
Mostly clear.
Saturday
Mostly sunny.
Friday
Night
Mostly clear. Cooler and breezy closer to the Cascade crest. Milder for areas further west like Mt St Helens and the west side of Mt Rainier.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. Cooler and breezy closer to the Cascade crest in the morning. Milder for areas further west like Mt St Helens and the west side of Mt Rainier.
Friday
Night
Mostly clear. Light to occasionally moderate east winds both at Pass level and ridgelines.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. Light east winds becoming variable.
Friday
Night
Mostly clear. Light to moderate east winds both at Pass level and ridgelines.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. Light east winds becoming variable.
Friday
Night
Mostly clear.
Saturday
Mostly sunny.
Friday
Night
Mostly clear.
Saturday
Mostly sunny.
Friday
Night
Mostly clear.
Saturday
Mostly sunny.
Friday
Night
Mostly clear. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday
Mostly sunny. Temperatures milder at mid/upper elevations and west side of the mountain.
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Friday, November 18, 2022
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
Saturday
Saturday Night
Sunday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0
0
0
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
0
0
0
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0
0
0
0
Stevens Pass
0
0
0
0
Snoqualmie Pass
0
0
0
0
Crystal Mt
0
0
0
0
Paradise
0
0
0
0
White Pass
0
0
0
0
Washington Pass
0
0
0
0
Mission Ridge
0
0
0
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0
0
0
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0
0
0
0
Mt Hood Meadows
0
0
0
0
Timberline
0
0
0
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Friday Night
0
Saturday
0
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Friday, November 18, 2022
Snow Level (ft)
Friday
Evening*
Friday
Night*
Saturday
Morning*
Saturday
Afternoon*
Saturday
Evening*
Saturday
Night*
Sunday
Morning
Sunday
Afternoon
Olympics
9000'
9000'
8500'
8500'
8500'
8000'
7500'
7000'
West North
8000'
8000'
8000'
8000'
8000'
7500'
7000'
6000'
West Central
7000'
7000'
8000'
8000'
8000'
7500'
7500'
7000'
West South
7000'
8000'
9000'
9000'
9000'
8000'
7500'
7000'
Stevens Pass
3000'
2000'
3500'
4000'
4000'
3000'
4000'
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass
3000'
4000'
6500'
7500'
7500'
7000'
7000'
6500'
East North
2000'
0
1000'
2500'
1000'
0
2000'
5000'
East Central
2000'
0
1000'
2500'
1000'
0
2000'
4000'
East South
2000'
0
1000'
4500'
3000'
3000'
3000'
5500'
Mt. Hood
3000'
4000'
4500'
10000'
9000'
9000'
8000'
7500'
Olympics
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
9000'
Friday
Night*
9000'
Saturday
Morning*
8500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
8500'
Saturday
Evening*
8500'
Saturday
Night*
8000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
West North
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
8000'
Friday
Night*
8000'
Saturday
Morning*
8000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
8000'
Saturday
Evening*
8000'
Saturday
Night*
7500'
Sunday
Morning
7000'
Sunday
Afternoon
6000'
West Central
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
7000'
Friday
Night*
7000'
Saturday
Morning*
8000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
8000'
Saturday
Evening*
8000'
Saturday
Night*
7500'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
West South
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
7000'
Friday
Night*
8000'
Saturday
Morning*
9000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
9000'
Saturday
Evening*
9000'
Saturday
Night*
8000'
Sunday
Morning
7500'
Sunday
Afternoon
7000'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
3000'
Friday
Night*
2000'
Saturday
Morning*
3500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
4000'
Saturday
Evening*
4000'
Saturday
Night*
3000'
Sunday
Morning
4000'
Sunday
Afternoon
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
3000'
Friday
Night*
4000'
Saturday
Morning*
6500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
7500'
Saturday
Evening*
7500'
Saturday
Night*
7000'
Sunday
Morning
7000'
Sunday
Afternoon
6500'
East North
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
2000'
Friday
Night*
0'
Saturday
Morning*
1000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
2500'
Saturday
Evening*
1000'
Saturday
Night*
0'
Sunday
Morning
2000'
Sunday
Afternoon
5000'
East Central
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
2000'
Friday
Night*
0'
Saturday
Morning*
1000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
2500'
Saturday
Evening*
1000'
Saturday
Night*
0'
Sunday
Morning
2000'
Sunday
Afternoon
4000'
East South
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
2000'
Friday
Night*
0'
Saturday
Morning*
1000'
Saturday
Afternoon*
4500'
Saturday
Evening*
3000'
Saturday
Night*
3000'
Sunday
Morning
3000'
Sunday
Afternoon
5500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Friday
Evening*
3000'
Friday
Night*
4000'
Saturday
Morning*
4500'
Saturday
Afternoon*
10000'
Saturday
Evening*
9000'
Saturday
Night*
9000'
Sunday
Morning
8000'
Sunday
Afternoon
7500'
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Friday, November 18, 2022
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Friday
Night
Saturday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
37 / 33
44 / 33
West North
36 / 30
40 / 31
West Central
36 / 30
40 / 32
West South
33 / 27
44 / 29
Stevens Pass
23 / 18
33 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass
25 / 22
35 / 24
East North
21 / 12
31 / 19
East Central
22 / 16
31 / 20
East South
23 / 19
35 / 22
Mt. Hood
27 / 22
37 / 24
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
37 / 33
Saturday
44 / 33
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
36 / 30
Saturday
40 / 31
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
36 / 30
Saturday
40 / 32
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
33 / 27
Saturday
44 / 29
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
23 / 18
Saturday
33 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
25 / 22
Saturday
35 / 24
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
21 / 12
Saturday
31 / 19
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
22 / 16
Saturday
31 / 20
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
23 / 19
Saturday
35 / 22
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Friday
Night
27 / 22
Saturday
37 / 24
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Friday, November 18, 2022
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
Friday
Night
Saturday
Morning
Saturday
Afternoon
Olympics
W 0-10
W 0-10
W 0-10
W 0-10
West North
W 0-10
W 0-10
W 0-10
W 0-10
West Central
W 0-10
W 0-10
W 0-10
W 0-10
West South
SE 5-15
S 5-15
S 0-10
W 0-10
Stevens Pass
SE 0-10
VAR 0-10
VAR 0-10
W 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass
SE 5-15
VAR 5-15
VAR 0-10
W 0-10
East North
NW 5-15
WSW 0-10
W 0-10
W 5-15
East Central
SSW 0-10
SW 0-10
SW 0-10
WSW 0-10
East South
ESE 5-15
S 5-15
S 5-15
SW 0-10
Mt. Hood
ESE 15-25
SSE 10-20
SSE 10-20
SSW 5-15
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
0-10
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
W
0-10
Saturday
Afternoon
W
0-10
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
0-10
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
W
0-10
Saturday
Afternoon
W
0-10
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
W
0-10
Friday
Night
W
0-10
Saturday
Morning
W
0-10
Saturday
Afternoon
W
0-10
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
SE
5-15
Friday
Night
S
5-15
Saturday
Morning
S
0-10
Saturday
Afternoon
W
0-10
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
SE
0-10
Friday
Night
VAR
0-10
Saturday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Saturday
Afternoon
W
0-10
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
SE
5-15
Friday
Night
VAR
5-15
Saturday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Saturday
Afternoon
W
0-10
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
NW
5-15
Friday
Night
WSW
0-10
Saturday
Morning
W
0-10
Saturday
Afternoon
W
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
SSW
0-10
Friday
Night
SW
0-10
Saturday
Morning
SW
0-10
Saturday
Afternoon
WSW
0-10
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
ESE
5-15
Friday
Night
S
5-15
Saturday
Morning
S
5-15
Saturday
Afternoon
SW
0-10
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday
Evening
ESE
15-25
Friday
Night
SSE
10-20
Saturday
Morning
SSE
10-20
Saturday
Afternoon
SSW
5-15
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Friday, November 18, 2022
Extended Weather Synopsis
That aforementioned weak frontal system will likely bring some cloud cover and perhaps a few sprinkles on Monday with continued mild temperatures. A fast moving front will arrive on Tuesday, perhaps bringing 0.50-1.00" of water equivalent to the west slopes of the Cascades near and north of Snoqualmie Pass with lower amounts elsewhere. This front will arrive in westerly flow, and right now it seems to be on the milder side for perhaps everyone except the Mt Baker area. Stay tuned for a more accurate snow level forecast as we move closer in time.
Forecast models are beginning to show some agreement as we head into Thanksgiving and towards the end of next week, with strong upper level ridging building offshore and milder temperatures entering the region. There's a chance some warm frontal precipitation will glance the area, mainly near the Canadian border as the ridge builds.
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).