Issued: 2:23 PM PST Friday, January 6, 2023
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

Active weather continues across the Pacific Northwest through the weekend with slightly above-average temperatures. A deep offshore low guides a front into the region Friday evening with a band of mostly light rain and snow. Moderate S winds aloft and E winds through the mountain gaps accompany the front. The E winds should peak during the evening hours with the frontal passage and will enhance rain/snow totals east of the Cascade Crest. A surface feature riding northward stalls the front and expands the precipitation back westward early Saturday. Expect light to occasionally moderate periods of snow and low-elevation rain that will decrease Saturday afternoon and evening from south to north. The east slopes of the Cascades and all the volcanoes should pick up 4-12" of snow above the gradually lowering rain/snow line. Expect a rain/snow mix at Snoqualmie Pass level, but all snow for the higher passes.

A rotating shortwave trough lifts a band of light rain and snow through the region on Sunday. Snow totals should be in the 1-4" range with E winds at the surface and S winds aloft focusing the heavier totals on the volcanoes and E slopes. With slightly cooler temperatures in place, this event should be a wet snow for the passes.

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 Light rain/snow in the evening, tapering to showers. Strong ridgeline wind gusts during the evening hours.
Saturday Periods of mostly light rain/snow.
Friday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain/snow in the evening tapering to lingering showers.
Saturday Light rain/snow.
Friday Night Light rain/snow in the evening tapering to lingering showers.
Saturday Light rain/snow.
Friday Night Light rain/snow in the evening tapering to showers.
Saturday Light rain/snow.
Friday Night Light rain/snow in the evening tapering to showers. Light to moderate ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Saturday Periods of light rain/snow. Light to moderate ridgeline and light E wind at the Pass.
Friday Night Light rain/snow in the evening tapering to lingering showers. Moderate ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Saturday Periods of light rain/snow. Light to moderate ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Friday Night Light snow in the evening with flurries after midnight.
Saturday Light snow.
Friday Night Periods of light rain/snow from late evening onwards.
Saturday Moderate rain/snow.
Friday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain/snow.
Saturday Mostly light rain/snow.
Friday Night Moderate rain/snow. Strong ridgeline wind gusts.
Saturday Light to moderate rain/snow. Strong ridgeline wind gusts.

Issued: 2:23 PM PST Friday, January 6, 2023

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

Issued: 2:23 PM PST Friday, January 6, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Friday Evening* Friday Night* Saturday Morning* Saturday Afternoon* Saturday Evening* Saturday Night* Sunday Morning* Sunday Afternoon*
Olympics 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 4000' 4000' 3500'
West North 3500' 3500' 3000' 3500' 3000' 3500' 3000' 3000'
West Central 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3000'
West South 4000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3500'
Stevens Pass 3000' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 2500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3000' 3000'
East North 2500' 2000' 2000' 3000' 2500' 2000' 1500' 3000'
East Central 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 2500' 3500' 3000' 3000'
East South 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3500'
Mt. Hood 5000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4000' 4000'
Olympics Elevation
Friday Evening* 4000'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday Morning* 4000'
Saturday Afternoon* 4000'
Saturday Evening* 3500'
Saturday Night* 4000'
Sunday Morning* 4000'
Sunday Afternoon* 3500'
West North Elevation
Friday Evening* 3500'
Friday Night* 3500'
Saturday Morning* 3000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3500'
Saturday Evening* 3000'
Saturday Night* 3500'
Sunday Morning* 3000'
Sunday Afternoon* 3000'
West Central Elevation
Friday Evening* 3500'
Friday Night* 3000'
Saturday Morning* 3000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3500'
Saturday Evening* 3000'
Saturday Night* 3500'
Sunday Morning* 3500'
Sunday Afternoon* 3000'
West South Elevation
Friday Evening* 4000'
Friday Night* 3000'
Saturday Morning* 3000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3500'
Saturday Evening* 3000'
Saturday Night* 3500'
Sunday Morning* 3500'
Sunday Afternoon* 3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening* 3000'
Friday Night* 2500'
Saturday Morning* 2500'
Saturday Afternoon* 3000'
Saturday Evening* 3000'
Saturday Night* 3000'
Sunday Morning* 2500'
Sunday Afternoon* 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening* 3000'
Friday Night* 3000'
Saturday Morning* 3000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3000'
Saturday Evening* 3000'
Saturday Night* 3500'
Sunday Morning* 3000'
Sunday Afternoon* 3000'
East North Elevation
Friday Evening* 2500'
Friday Night* 2000'
Saturday Morning* 2000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3000'
Saturday Evening* 2500'
Saturday Night* 2000'
Sunday Morning* 1500'
Sunday Afternoon* 3000'
East Central Elevation
Friday Evening* 3000'
Friday Night* 3000'
Saturday Morning* 3000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3000'
Saturday Evening* 2500'
Saturday Night* 3500'
Sunday Morning* 3000'
Sunday Afternoon* 3000'
East South Elevation
Friday Evening* 3500'
Friday Night* 3500'
Saturday Morning* 3500'
Saturday Afternoon* 3500'
Saturday Evening* 3000'
Saturday Night* 3500'
Sunday Morning* 3500'
Sunday Afternoon* 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening* 5000'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday Morning* 4000'
Saturday Afternoon* 4000'
Saturday Evening* 4000'
Saturday Night* 4500'
Sunday Morning* 4000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4000'

Issued: 2:23 PM PST Friday, January 6, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Friday Night Saturday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 31 / 28 31 / 28
West North 30 / 28 31 / 28
West Central 30 / 27 29 / 27
West South 32 / 29 32 / 29
Stevens Pass 28 / 26 29 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass 28 / 27 28 / 27
East North 25 / 23 28 / 25
East Central 28 / 27 29 / 27
East South 28 / 27 30 / 27
Mt. Hood 32 / 31 31 / 30
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 31 / 28
Saturday 31 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 30 / 28
Saturday 31 / 28
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 30 / 27
Saturday 29 / 27
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 32 / 29
Saturday 32 / 29
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 28 / 26
Saturday 29 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 28 / 27
Saturday 28 / 27
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 25 / 23
Saturday 28 / 25
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 28 / 27
Saturday 29 / 27
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 28 / 27
Saturday 30 / 27
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 32 / 31
Saturday 31 / 30

Issued: 2:23 PM PST Friday, January 6, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:23 PM PST Friday, January 6, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

The offshore trough remains in place with a ridge over the interior US, but we could get a brief reprieve once Sunday's frontal system exits to the NE Sunday evening. A split flow pattern may develop, which sends the moisture down to California on Monday and keeps the region mostly dry through Tuesday. Temperatures should be near seasonal norms.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Night* Monday * Monday Night* Tuesday *
West North 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 2500' 3000' 3500'
Mt. Hood 3000' 4000' 4500' 4500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday * 3000'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday * 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night* 2500'
Monday * 2500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday * 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday * 4000'
Monday Night* 4500'
Tuesday * 4500'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 6, 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’.