An approaching storm system has already begun to spread clouds and a few showers along the coast this afternoon. As we move into the overnight hours the most significant impact will likely come from increasing ridgeline winds. You could encounter very strong and gust winds particularly in areas near Hurricane Ridge, Mt Baker, Mt Rainier, and Mt Hood. These winds will peak in the early hours of the morning and correspond with the heaviest precipitation. Look for snow showers to begin in the Olympics and North Cascades overnight before spreading across the mountains just before daybreak. The overall southerly flow of this storm will favor locations near the volcanoes and allow for spillover of precipitation to areas east of the crest. Once the cold front crosses the Cascades Thursday morning, winds and precipitation should begin to decrease. Onshore flow will continue to push post-frontal showers into the mountains throughout the afternoon and evening hours, wringing out a few more inches of snow.
Showers should slowly taper off Thursday night and into Friday morning as the region gradually dries out. This will provide us with a short break in the weather. However, by Friday afternoon high clouds begin to move over the region again and herald the approach of our next storm. The dry spell won't last long. Precipitation should return to the mountains by Friday night.
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
Winds increasing significantly overnight and becoming very strong and gusty. Snow showers developing around midnight.
Thursday
Strong SW winds decreasing in the morning with lingering snow showers throughout the day.
Wednesday
Night
Winds increasing significantly overnight, becoming very strong and gusty. Snow showers, moderate to heavy at times, mainly after midnight.
Thursday
Strong SSW winds decreasing during the day. Snow showers, heaviest in the morning.
Wednesday
Night
S winds increasing overnight and becoming strong. Snow showers particularly after midnight.
Thursday
Moderate to strong SSW winds decreasing. Snow showers throughout the day.
Wednesday
Night
S winds increasing and becoming strong overnight. Snow showers after midnight, heaviest near the volcanoes.
Thursday
Moderate to strong SSW winds decreasing. Snow showers continuing during the day. Heaviest showers near the volcanoes.
Wednesday
Night
Southerly ridgetop winds increasing overnight and becoming moderate to strong. A few isolated showers possible after midnight. Light E flow at pass level.
Thursday
Moderate SSW ridgetop winds decreasing. Scattered snow showers throughout the day. Ligh E flow at pass level.
Wednesday
Night
Southerly ridgeline winds becoming moderate to strong overnight. Isolated snow showers after midnight. Light E flow at pass level.
Thursday
Moderate to strong ridgeline winds decreasing. Scattered snow showers throughout the day. Light E flow at pass level.
Wednesday
Night
Winds becoming S-SW moderate to strong overnight. A few isolated snow showers possible.
Thursday
Strong SSW winds in the morning decreasing. Scattered snow showers primarily in the morning hours.
Wednesday
Night
SW winds becoming strong overnight. Isolated showers possible particularly near the crest.
Thursday
Strong SW winds decreasing. Snow showers possible throughout the day.
Wednesday
Night
SW winds becoming strong overnight. Generally dry with the chance of a few flurries.
Thursday
Strong SW winds decreasing. Snow showers possible throughout the day, heaviest near the crest.
Wednesday
Night
SW winds becoming very strong and gusty overnight. Snow showers possible after midnight.
Thursday
Strong SW winds decreasing during the day. Snow showers could be heavy at times.
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Wednesday, December 7, 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
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
0.25 - 0.50
1.00
0.25
LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.25
0.50
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.10
0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Crystal Mt
0.25
0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Paradise
0.25
0.50 - 0.75
0.25
LT 0.25
White Pass
LT 0.10
0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
0
LT 0.25
0
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.10
0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
0
Mt Hood Meadows
LT 0.10
0.50
0.25
LT 0.25
Timberline
LT 0.10
0.50 - 0.75
0.25
LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday
1.00
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Snow Level (ft)
Wednesday
Evening*
Wednesday
Night*
Thursday
Morning*
Thursday
Afternoon*
Thursday
Evening
Thursday
Night
Friday
Morning
Friday
Afternoon*
Olympics
2500'
2500'
2000'
2000'
1000'
1000'
500'
1500'
West North
2000'
1500'
2000'
2000'
1500'
500'
500'
1000'
West Central
2000'
1500'
2000'
2000'
1500'
1000'
500'
1000'
West South
2000'
2500'
2500'
2500'
1500'
1000'
500'
1000'
Stevens Pass
1000'
1000'
1000'
1500'
1500'
1000'
500'
1000'
Snoqualmie Pass
1000'
1000'
1000'
1500'
1500'
1000'
500'
1000'
East North
1000'
500'
1000'
1500'
1000'
500'
500'
500'
East Central
1000'
500'
1000'
1500'
1500'
500'
500'
500'
East South
1500'
1500'
2000'
2500'
1500'
1000'
500'
1000'
Mt. Hood
2500'
2500'
3000'
2500'
2000'
1500'
1000'
2000'
Olympics
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
2500'
Thursday
Morning*
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
2000'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon*
1500'
West North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
1500'
Thursday
Morning*
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
2000'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon*
1000'
West Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
1500'
Thursday
Morning*
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
2000'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon*
1000'
West South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
2500'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
2500'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon*
1000'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
1000'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
1500'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon*
1000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
1000'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
1500'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon*
1000'
East North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
1000'
Wednesday
Night*
500'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
1500'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon*
500'
East Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
1000'
Wednesday
Night*
500'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
1500'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon*
500'
East South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
1500'
Wednesday
Night*
1500'
Thursday
Morning*
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
2500'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon*
1000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
2500'
Thursday
Morning*
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
2500'
Thursday
Evening
2000'
Thursday
Night
1500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon*
2000'
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Wednesday, December 7, 2022
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
31 / 27
29 / 26
West North
30 / 27
30 / 28
West Central
30 / 22
32 / 25
West South
28 / 21
28 / 25
Stevens Pass
25 / 21
26 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass
25 / 23
26 / 21
East North
19 / 14
19 / 16
East Central
19 / 14
20 / 16
East South
26 / 19
25 / 21
Mt. Hood
27 / 23
30 / 25
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
31 / 27
Thursday
29 / 26
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 27
Thursday
30 / 28
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 22
Thursday
32 / 25
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
28 / 21
Thursday
28 / 25
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
25 / 21
Thursday
26 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
25 / 23
Thursday
26 / 21
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
19 / 14
Thursday
19 / 16
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
19 / 14
Thursday
20 / 16
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
26 / 19
Thursday
25 / 21
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
27 / 23
Thursday
30 / 25
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
S 20-30
SW 40-55
SW 25-35
WSW 15-25
West North
S 20-30
S 40-55
SSW 25-35
SSW 15-25
West Central
S 15-25
S 30-40
SSW 20-30
SSW 10-20
West South
S 15-25
S 30-40
SSW 20-30
SW 5-15
Stevens Pass
S 5-15
S 20-30
SSW 15-25
SW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
S 10-20
S 20-30
SW 20-30
SW 5-15
East North
SW 10-20
S 20-30
SSW 25-35
SW 5-15
East Central
SW 10-20
SW 25-35
SW 25-35
SW 10-20
East South
SW 10-20
SW 25-35
SW 25-35
SW 10-20
Mt. Hood
SW 20-30
SW 40-55
SW 35-50
SW 15-25
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
S
20-30
Wednesday
Night
SW
40-55
Thursday
Morning
SW
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
15-25
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
S
20-30
Wednesday
Night
S
40-55
Thursday
Morning
SSW
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
SSW
15-25
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
S
15-25
Wednesday
Night
S
30-40
Thursday
Morning
SSW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
SSW
10-20
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
S
15-25
Wednesday
Night
S
30-40
Thursday
Morning
SSW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
5-15
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
S
5-15
Wednesday
Night
S
20-30
Thursday
Morning
SSW
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
S
10-20
Wednesday
Night
S
20-30
Thursday
Morning
SW
20-30
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
5-15
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
S
20-30
Thursday
Morning
SSW
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SW
25-35
Thursday
Morning
SW
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SW
25-35
Thursday
Morning
SW
25-35
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
20-30
Wednesday
Night
SW
40-55
Thursday
Morning
SW
35-50
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
15-25
Issued: 1:42 PM PST Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Extended Weather Synopsis
A low-pressure system approaches the coast Friday night and stalls just off-shore. While the bulk of the precipitation targets southern Oregon and northern California, this storm will spin some moisture into our mountains from the south. The heaviest precipitation seems to occur Friday night into Saturday morning. Eventually, the low pressure slowly begins to meander its way southward while continuing to rotate showers up into the Cascades from the S-SE. Given this flow pattern, it could maintain snow showers in the mountain, particularly for the east slopes of the Cascades from Mission Ridge southward.
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).