Issued: 1:59 PM PST Sunday, January 8, 2023
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

A very broad trough in the eastern Pacific ocean continues to send weak shortwave systems up the coastline and keep the region mild and damp. This afternoon rain and snow are spread across most of the area with some of the heavier precipitation rates near the volcanoes and along the east side of the Cascades. As the disturbance continues to move further north, showers should taper off for most locations during the evening hours along with decreasing winds. This will allow for a brief break in the weather overnight as conditions dry and winds shift back to the E-S. 

Our next shortwave disturbance begins to drift up the coast from south to north Monday morning. Ahead of the precipitation, winds will significantly increase across the mountains and become strong and gusty in many locations. With south winds aloft and upslope easterly flow near the surface, this next round of precipitation will once again favor the volcanoes, especially Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, and Mt Baker. Similar to the past few days, sites east of the crest like Ahutanum Meadows, Salmon la Sac, Leavenworth, and Twisp will also ring out greater rain and snow totals than places closer to the Cascade crest. 

As we head into Monday night winds should start to decrease and precipitation taper as the weak disturbance heads into Canada. A transient high-pressure ridge will start to build over the region by Tuesday morning. Lingering low-level moisture could make the start of the day feel a bit damp and drippy, but ultimately the mountains should dry out by mid-morning.  

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
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and snow particularly in the evening. Light to moderate SW winds becoming SE.
Monday Cloudy with rain and snow increasing in the afternoon. Moderate SE winds becoming SW.
Sunday Night Cloudy. Rain and snow could be heavy at times. Moderate to strong S winds decreasing significantly overnight.
Monday Cloudy. Increasing rain and snow throughout the day. Moderate ESE winds decreasing in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and snow in the evening. Moderate SSW winds decreasing significantly.
Monday Cloudy with rain and snow developing during the day. Moderate ESE winds decreasing in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and snow in the evening. Moderate SSW winds decreasing and becoming SSE.
Monday Cloudy in the morning with rain and snow developing. Heaviest near the volcanoes. Moderate to strong ESE winds, potentially higher near the crest. Winds decreasing in the afternoon,
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and snow in the evening. Light easterly flow at Pass level. Ridgetop winds shifting from W to ESE.
Monday Cloudy in the morning with rain and snow developing during the day. Moderate east flow at pass level. Moderate E ridgetop winds decreasing in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and snow in the evening. Light easterly flow at pass level. Ridgetop winds shifting from SW to SE.
Monday Cloudy in the morning with rain and snow developing. Moderate east flow at pass level .Moderate to strong E ridgetop winds decreasing.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and snow in the evening. Light to moderate SW winds becoming S.
Monday Cloudy in the morning with rain and snow developing. Could be heaviest in the eastern mountains. Moderate ESE winds decreasing.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and snow in the evening. Moderate WSW wind decreasing and becoming S.
Monday Cloudy with rain and snow developing during the day. Could be heaviest near Leavenworth. Moderate to strong SE winds decreasing.
Sunday Night Cloudy with rain and snow in the evening. Moderate WSW winds becoming S.
Monday Cloudy with rain and snow developing Heaviest near Ahutanum Meadows. Moderate to strong SE winds decreasing and becoming SW.
Sunday Night Cloudy with a few rain and snow showers in the evening. Strong and gusty SW winds decreasing and becoming SSE.
Monday Stormy with rain, snow, and strong winds. Very strong and gusty winds increasing during the day, becoming SW>

Issued: 1:59 PM PST Sunday, January 8, 2023

Precipitation (in)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25 0
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0
Crystal Mt 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25 0
Paradise 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0
White Pass LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25 0
Washington Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 0
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.10 0
Timberline LT 0.10 0.75 LT 0.10 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.75
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0

Issued: 1:59 PM PST Sunday, January 8, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening* Sunday Night* Monday Morning* Monday Afternoon* Monday Evening* Monday Night* Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon*
Olympics 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 5500'
West North 3500' 3000' 2500' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 4500'
West Central 3500' 3000' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 5000'
West South 3500' 3500' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3000' 3500' 5000'
Stevens Pass 3500' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 3000' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 4500'
East North 3500' 2500' 2500' 2500' 2500' 2500' 2000' 3000'
East Central 3000' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 2500' 2500' 3500'
East South 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3000' 3500' 4500'
Mt. Hood 4000' 3000' 3000' 4000' 3500' 3000' 4000' 4500'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening* 3500'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon* 3500'
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3500'
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 5500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening* 3500'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 3500'
Monday Evening* 3000'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening* 3500'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 3000'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 5000'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening* 3500'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon* 3500'
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 5000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening* 3500'
Sunday Night* 2500'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 3000'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening* 3500'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 3000'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening* 3500'
Sunday Night* 2500'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 2500'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 2500'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening* 3000'
Sunday Night* 2500'
Monday Morning* 2500'
Monday Afternoon* 3000'
Monday Evening* 3000'
Monday Night* 2500'
Tuesday Morning* 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening* 3500'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon* 3500'
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'

Issued: 1:59 PM PST Sunday, January 8, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

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

Issued: 1:59 PM PST Sunday, January 8, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 1:59 PM PST Sunday, January 8, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

A weak high-pressure ridge should continue to build over the Pacific Northwest as the long-standing and wide trough finally narrows and breaks down. Dry weather will persist Tuesday night and into Wednesday. Clouds ahead of a more significant winter storm should start to arrive late Wednesday afternoon and gradually lower and thicken. The first bands of precipitation move into the region overnight and steadily increase with the bulk of the rain and snow falling during the day Thursday. SW flow with this storm brings with it much warmer air and a rise in snow levels, particularly for the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night* Wednesday * Wednesday Night* Thursday *
West North 500' 3000' 3000' 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass 1000' 3000' 3000' 4500'
Mt. Hood 2000' 3500' 4500' 6000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday * 3000'
Wednesday Night* 3000'
Thursday * 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday * 3000'
Wednesday Night* 3000'
Thursday * 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday * 3500'
Wednesday Night* 4500'
Thursday * 6000'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 8, 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’.