Issued: 2:02 PM PST Tuesday, January 3, 2023
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

Scattered showers from a weak disturbance have begun to taper off this afternoon leaving us with variable cloud cover over the area. Something akin to the identical twin of the weakening and splitting frontal system that passed through on Tuesday will pass through the area tonight, with another round of light and scattered showers.

On Wednesday, a deep low pressure system well off the CA/OR border will meander closer to the coast during the day. This will have a few impacts on our mountains, one is that offshore flow/E-SE gradients will ramp up quickly during the day, becoming strong by the afternoon not just through the mountain gaps but also along ridgelines from about Stevens Pass and southward to Mt Hood, with more moderate E-SE winds elsewhere. The other is a warm frontal band extending from the deep low will begin to rotate north on Wednesday, reaching the Mt Hood area with light snow by the afternoon.  Upslope light snow should start along the east slopes of the Cascades in advance of the warm front. Further west of the Cascade crest, look for increasing high clouds to extend from south to north as the day progresses and a warming trend impacting areas well west of the Cascades crest. 

The warm frontal feature will lift north on Wednesday night, producing several inches of snowfall up and down the east side of the Cascades, with much lower amounts further west of the Cascade crest.  E-SE winds will be cranking in the evening, and approaching extreme for areas like Crystal mountain and Snoqualmie Pass. Winds will remain strong Wednesday night and gradually start to back off during the day on Thursday. Look for scattered showers along the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics on Thursday and diminishing but steadier snow showers along the east slopes of the Cascades. A slow warming trend will take place for all areas Wednesday night through Thursday. 

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
Tuesday Night Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Partly sunny in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon with increasing high clouds.
Tuesday Night Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Partly sunny in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon with increasing high clouds.
Tuesday Night Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Partly sunny in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon with increasing high clouds.
Tuesday Night Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Partly sunny west of the Cascade crest, mostly cloudy with low clouds near White Pass. Becoming cloudy all areas mid-morning with light snow developing and strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers. Light east winds at Pass level becoming moderate overnight.
Wednesday Low clouds, especially east of the Pass becoming cloudy with light snow during the morning. Moderate east winds at Pass and ridgeline increasing during the day.
Tuesday Night Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers. Light east winds at Pass level becoming moderate overnight.
Wednesday Low clouds, especially east of the Pass becoming cloudy with light snow during the morning. Moderate east winds at Pass and ridgeline increasing to strong during the day.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy.
Wednesday Cloudy with light snow developing late morning. Moderate winds in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy.
Wednesday Cloudy with light snow developing in the morning. Strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy.
Wednesday Cloudy with light snow developing in the morning. Strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Becoming cloudy with light snow developing in the morning. Strong ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon* Wednesday Evening* Wednesday Night* Thursday Morning* Thursday Afternoon*
Olympics 3000' 3000' 3500' 4500' 6000' 6000' 6500' 6500'
West North 2500' 2500' 3500' 4000' 3500' 3500' 4500' 5500'
West Central 2500' 2000' 2500' 3000' 2000' 2000' 3000' 4000'
West South 2500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 2000' 1500' 3000' 3500'
Stevens Pass 1000' 500' 500' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1500' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 1500' 1000' 1000' 1500' 1500' 1500' 2000' 3000'
East North 0 0 0 1000' 500' 500' 1500' 2500'
East Central 0 0 0 1000' 500' 500' 1500' 2000'
East South 1000' 500' 500' 1000' 500' 500' 1500' 2000'
Mt. Hood 3000' 3000' 2500' 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 4500'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 3000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
Wednesday Evening* 6000'
Wednesday Night* 6000'
Thursday Morning* 6500'
Thursday Afternoon* 6500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 2500'
Tuesday Night* 2500'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Wednesday Evening* 3500'
Wednesday Night* 3500'
Thursday Morning* 4500'
Thursday Afternoon* 5500'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 2500'
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Wednesday Evening* 2000'
Wednesday Night* 2000'
Thursday Morning* 3000'
Thursday Afternoon* 4000'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 2500'
Tuesday Night* 1500'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2500'
Wednesday Evening* 2000'
Wednesday Night* 1500'
Thursday Morning* 3000'
Thursday Afternoon* 3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1000'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 1000'
Wednesday Night* 1000'
Thursday Morning* 1500'
Thursday Afternoon* 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1500'
Wednesday Evening* 1500'
Wednesday Night* 1500'
Thursday Morning* 2000'
Thursday Afternoon* 3000'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 0'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning* 1500'
Thursday Afternoon* 2500'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 0'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning* 1500'
Thursday Afternoon* 2000'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1000'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning* 1500'
Thursday Afternoon* 2000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 3000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Wednesday Evening* 2000'
Wednesday Night* 2000'
Thursday Morning* 2500'
Thursday Afternoon* 4500'

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Tuesday, January 3, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 28 / 23 33 / 27
West North 27 / 23 30 / 23
West Central 26 / 20 27 / 21
West South 25 / 22 28 / 22
Stevens Pass 21 / 17 25 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass 24 / 20 27 / 21
East North 17 / 14 22 / 15
East Central 21 / 17 24 / 20
East South 24 / 21 25 / 21
Mt. Hood 28 / 23 27 / 24
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 28 / 23
Wednesday 33 / 27
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 27 / 23
Wednesday 30 / 23
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 26 / 20
Wednesday 27 / 21
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 25 / 22
Wednesday 28 / 22
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 21 / 17
Wednesday 25 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 24 / 20
Wednesday 27 / 21
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 17 / 14
Wednesday 22 / 15
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 21 / 17
Wednesday 24 / 20
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 24 / 21
Wednesday 25 / 21
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 28 / 23
Wednesday 27 / 24

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics S 10-20 S 5-15 ESE 5-15 SE 10-20
West North S 10-20 S 10-20 SE 5-15 SE 10-20
West Central S 5-15 SSE 5-15 SE 5-15 SE 20-30
West South S 10-20 S 15-25 SE 20-30 SE 25-35
Stevens Pass SE 0-10 SE 5-15 SE 10-20 SE 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass SE 0-10 SE 5-15 SE 15-25 SE 25-35
East North WSW 5-15 S 5-15 SSE 5-15 SE 15-25
East Central SSW 5-15 SE 10-20 SE 5-15 SE 20-30
East South S 5-15 S 5-15 SE 10-20 SE 20-30
Mt. Hood S 10-20 SW 10-20 SE 20-30 SE 30-40
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening S 10-20
Tuesday Night S 5-15
Wednesday Morning ESE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SE 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening S 10-20
Tuesday Night S 10-20
Wednesday Morning SE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SE 10-20
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening S 5-15
Tuesday Night SSE 5-15
Wednesday Morning SE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SE 20-30
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening S 10-20
Tuesday Night S 15-25
Wednesday Morning SE 20-30
Wednesday Afternoon SE 25-35
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SE 0-10
Tuesday Night SE 5-15
Wednesday Morning SE 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon SE 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SE 0-10
Tuesday Night SE 5-15
Wednesday Morning SE 15-25
Wednesday Afternoon SE 25-35
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 5-15
Tuesday Night S 5-15
Wednesday Morning SSE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SE 15-25
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SSW 5-15
Tuesday Night SE 10-20
Wednesday Morning SE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SE 20-30
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening S 5-15
Tuesday Night S 5-15
Wednesday Morning SE 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon SE 20-30
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening S 10-20
Tuesday Night SW 10-20
Wednesday Morning SE 20-30
Wednesday Afternoon SE 30-40

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

The main upper level feature associated with the upper low will finally swing through Thursday night, bringing more widespread light to locally moderate rain and snow. We'll see a period of scattered showers Friday followed by a low pressure system drifting north along the coast and light warm frontal moisture over the weekend. With each wave of systems in S-SW flow, snow levels and temperatures will generally warm. This flow pattern also generally causes headaches for weather models and forecasters alike. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night* Friday * Friday Night* Saturday *
West North 3500' 4500' 4000' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 5000' 4000' 4500'
Mt. Hood 4500' 6000' 5000' 5500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night* 3500'
Friday * 4500'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday * 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night* 3000'
Friday * 5000'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday * 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night* 4500'
Friday * 6000'
Friday Night* 5000'
Saturday * 5500'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 3, 2023

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’.