Issued: 2:01 PM PST Monday, January 9, 2023
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

Bands of precipitation and gusty winds remain spread across the Pacific Northwest this afternoon as the last in a series of shortwave disturbances continues to impact the mountains. This evening rain and snow showers along with moderate to strong winds will continue for much of the region. As the system slides further north, winds should ease and showers will dissipate. The focus of the remainder of the precipitation will target Mt Baker and the Olympics overnight and into early Tuesday morning. 

While many locations may start Tuesday cloudy and a bit drippy, a building high-pressure ridge will help the region begin to dry out. This may not mean full blue sky (at least not yet). While clouds will lift and thin through the day, easterly winds may continue to push low-level clouds into the mountain valleys and Passes along the east slopes of the mountains. Your best chances for blue sky will be higher in the terrain and locations south of I-90. 

Bands of high clouds may start to swing through the region Tuesday night and into Wednesday out ahead of our next big storm. However, the region should remain dry for the rest of the forecast period. Expect a cool mostly clear night followed by a relatively warm and mostly sunny morning. Clouds will once again return Wednesday afternoon as a major storm begins to knock on our doorstep. 

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
Monday Night Rain and snow in the evening becoming showery overnight. Moderate S winds decreasing.
Tuesday Scattered showers in the morning then drying with some sun breaks.
Monday Night Rain and snow could be heavy at times. Moderate to strong and gusty SSW winds decreasing slightly overnight.
Tuesday Scattered showers in the morning, then drying. High clouds with a few breaks possible.
Monday Night Rain and snow in the evening becoming scattered showers overnight. Moderate SSW winds decreasing.
Tuesday Isolated showers in the morning, then drying. Some sunbreaks possible.
Monday Night Scattered showers in the evening heaviest near Mt Rainier. Light to moderate SSW winds decerasing. Some overnight clearing possible.
Tuesday Clouds in the morning lifting and thinning. Significant sun breaks possible. Light to moderate ESE winds developing in the afternoon along the Crest.
Monday Night Scatttered showers particularly in the evening. Light E flow at Pass level.
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning with a few sprinkles possible. Clouds thinning with some sun breaks possible.
Monday Night Scattered showers particularly in the evening. Light E flow at Pass level. Light to moderate SW ridgetop winds becoming SE and decreasing.
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning with a few sprinkles possible. Clouds thinning with a few sunbreaks possible. Light E flow at Pass level. Ridgetop winds becoming ESE light to moderate.
Monday Night Isolated showers overnight. Light to moderate SW winds decreasing and becoming S.
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning with a few sprinkles possible. Clouds thinning with some sun breaks.
Monday Night Isolated showers overnight. Moderate WSW winds decreasing.
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning with a few sprinkles possible. Clouds thinning with some clearing and low clouds in the valleys.
Monday Night Isolated showers possible in the evening, then some clearing. Moderate WSW winds decreasing.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy in the morning. Clouds thinning with low clouds in the mountain valleys.
Monday Night Isolated showers in the evening. Then drying and clearing. Moderate to strong and gusty SW winds decreasing overnight.
Tuesday High clouds increasing during the day. Moderate SE winds becoming strong in the afternoon.

Issued: 2:01 PM PST Monday, January 9, 2023

Precipitation (in)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.75 -1.00 LT 0.25 0 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 0
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 0 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.25 0 0 0
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 0 0 0
Paradise 0.25 0 0 0
White Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0
Washington Pass LT 0.25 0 0 0
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0 0 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 0 0 0
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.10
Timberline LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.75 -1.00
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday LT 0.10

Issued: 2:01 PM PST Monday, January 9, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening* Monday Night* Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon* Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon*
Olympics 3500' 4000' 4500' 6000' 3500' 3000' 3500' 4500'
West North 3500' 3000' 3000' 5000' 2000' 1000' 2000' 4500'
West Central 3500' 3000' 3500' 5000' 2000' 1000' 2000' 4500'
West South 3500' 3000' 3000' 5000' 2000' 1000' 2000' 4000'
Stevens Pass 3000' 3000' 2500' 3500' 2000' 1000' 2000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 3000' 2500' 4500' 2000' 1000' 2000' 3500'
East North 3000' 3000' 2000' 3500' 1500' 1000' 2000' 3000'
East Central 3000' 3000' 2000' 3500' 1500' 1000' 2000' 3000'
East South 3500' 3000' 2500' 4500' 2000' 1500' 2000' 3500'
Mt. Hood 3500' 3000' 2000' 4000' 2500' 2500' 3000' 4000'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 4000'
Tuesday Morning* 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 6000'
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 5000'
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 5000'
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 5000'
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 3000'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 3000'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening* 3000'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 3000'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 1500'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4000'
Tuesday Evening* 2500'
Tuesday Night* 2500'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'

Issued: 2:01 PM PST Monday, January 9, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 32 / 30 37 / 28
West North 34 / 30 35 / 28
West Central 33 / 29 34 / 29
West South 32 / 26 34 / 25
Stevens Pass 28 / 26 31 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 31 / 27 34 / 28
East North 25 / 21 27 / 23
East Central 30 / 25 32 / 26
East South 28 / 26 30 / 25
Mt. Hood 30 / 25 33 / 25
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 32 / 30
Tuesday 37 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 34 / 30
Tuesday 35 / 28
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 29
Tuesday 34 / 29
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 32 / 26
Tuesday 34 / 25
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 28 / 26
Tuesday 31 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 31 / 27
Tuesday 34 / 28
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 25 / 21
Tuesday 27 / 23
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 25
Tuesday 32 / 26
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 28 / 26
Tuesday 30 / 25
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 25
Tuesday 33 / 25

Issued: 2:01 PM PST Monday, January 9, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:01 PM PST Monday, January 9, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

A significant winter storm should arrive Wednesday night with heavy precipitation, strong winds, and rising freezing levels. This storm cloud be a doozy. While many locations may start as all snow, warmer air will shove its way into the region and send snow levels climbing to near ridgecrest. Heavy precipitation should continue Wednesday night, Thursday, and Thursday night before becoming more showery on Friday as the storm starts to exit. There are still a lot of details to work out with this system, but its one to keep your eye on. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night* Thursday * Thursday Night* Friday *
West North 3000' 5500' 6000' 5500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 5500' 6500' 6000'
Mt. Hood 5000' 6500' 7000' 6500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night* 3000'
Thursday * 5500'
Thursday Night* 6000'
Friday * 5500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night* 3000'
Thursday * 5500'
Thursday Night* 6500'
Friday * 6000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night* 5000'
Thursday * 6500'
Thursday Night* 7000'
Friday * 6500'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 9, 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’.