A frontal system is sweeping through the Cascades early this afternoon with a burst of snow and wind. The trailing low pressure center can be seen on radar/satellite with a distinct counter-clockwise swirl just south of the Olympic peninsula. This system has presented a few surprises and it's not done yet. With the front passing through this afternoon, the low pressure will track due westward this evening with NW flow in its wake Saturday night. Post-frontal showers along with some convergence should be heaviest from about Snoqualmie Pass and south to Mt Hood. Precipitation amounts have been raised for southern areas and lowered for northern areas. Mt St Helens, Paradise, Crystal Mt and Mt Hood may all end up with the highest snowfall amounts in this pattern. Also the strongest post-front winds have been somewhat muted this evening and then also nudged south overnight. The exception to the statement is the Mt Hood area which should see strong to extreme winds all night.
On Sunday, showers and winds will taper down during the morning hours. A few isolated showers may linger into the afternoon along the west slopes of the Cascades as well as broken low clouds near ridgetops. Sunnier skies can be found further east of the Cascade crest. Snow levels and temperatures will be in the 1500-2500' range on Sunday.
Upper level ridging positioned offshore will battle a storm track aimed into central/northern British Columbia. A weak upper trough may bring light snow to the Olympics and north Cascades for the first half of the day with lingering clouds in the afternoon. You'll find diminishing cloud cover and warmer temperatues further south.
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
Saturday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then mostly to partly cloudy with a chance of snow shower in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the evening, then scattered light snow showers overnight.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then mostly to partly cloudy with a chance of snow shower in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of snow shower in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then mostly to partly cloudy with a chance of snow shower in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate West Pass level and ridgeline winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then mostly to partly cloudy with a chance of snow shower in the afternoon. Light to moderate W-NW winds at Ridgeline and Pass level easing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong West Pass level and ridgeline winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then mostly to partly cloudy with a chance of snow shower in the afternoon. Moderate W-NW winds at Ridgeline and Pass level easing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with occasional light snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon. Sunnier further east of the Cascade crest.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with light snow showers, except moderate near the Cascade crest. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon. Sunnier further east of the Cascade crest. Moderate ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with light snow showers, except moderate near the Cascade crest. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon. Sunnier further east of the Cascade crest. Moderate ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon.
Saturday
Night
Cloudy with moderate snow showers. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Sunday
Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then mostly to partly cloudy with a chance of snow shower in the afternoon.
Issued: 2:09 PM PST Saturday, January 21, 2023
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
Sunday
Sunday Night
Monday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0.25
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
0.25
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
Stevens Pass
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass
0.50
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
Crystal Mt
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
0
0
Paradise
0.75
LT 0.10
0
0
White Pass
0.50
LT 0.10
0
0
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
0
0
0
Mission Ridge
LT 0.10
0
0
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0.25 - 0.50
0
0
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0.25 - 0.50
0
0
0
Mt Hood Meadows
0.50
LT 0.10
0
0
Timberline
0.75
LT 0.10
0
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
LT 0.10
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
LT 0.10
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.75
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.50
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0.75
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0
Monday
0
Issued: 2:09 PM PST Saturday, January 21, 2023
Snow Level (ft)
Saturday
Evening
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Morning
Sunday
Afternoon
Sunday
Evening
Sunday
Night
Monday
Morning
Monday
Afternoon
Olympics
2000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
2500'
3500'
4000'
4500'
West North
2000'
2000'
1500'
1500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
2500'
West Central
2000'
2000'
1500'
1500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
3000'
West South
2000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
2000'
2000'
2500'
4000'
Stevens Pass
2000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
2500'
Snoqualmie Pass
2000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
2000'
2000'
2500'
3000'
East North
2000'
1500'
1500'
2000'
1500'
1500'
2000'
2500'
East Central
2000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
1500'
1500'
2000'
2500'
East South
2000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
2000'
2000'
3000'
4000'
Mt. Hood
2000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
2500'
3000'
4500'
7000'
Olympics
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
2000'
Sunday
Evening
2500'
Sunday
Night
3500'
Monday
Morning
4000'
Monday
Afternoon
4500'
West North
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
1500'
Sunday
Evening
1500'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning
2000'
Monday
Afternoon
2500'
West Central
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
1500'
Sunday
Evening
1500'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning
2000'
Monday
Afternoon
3000'
West South
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
2000'
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
2000'
Monday
Morning
2500'
Monday
Afternoon
4000'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
2000'
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning
2000'
Monday
Afternoon
2500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
2000'
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
2000'
Monday
Morning
2500'
Monday
Afternoon
3000'
East North
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
1500'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
2000'
Sunday
Evening
1500'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning
2000'
Monday
Afternoon
2500'
East Central
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
2000'
Sunday
Evening
1500'
Sunday
Night
1500'
Monday
Morning
2000'
Monday
Afternoon
2500'
East South
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
2000'
Sunday
Evening
2000'
Sunday
Night
2000'
Monday
Morning
3000'
Monday
Afternoon
4000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
2000'
Sunday
Evening
2500'
Sunday
Night
3000'
Monday
Morning
4500'
Monday
Afternoon
7000'
Issued: 2:09 PM PST Saturday, January 21, 2023
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
24 / 14
25 / 14
West North
23 / 19
21 / 18
West Central
23 / 21
21 / 18
West South
24 / 21
24 / 19
Stevens Pass
22 / 18
22 / 19
Snoqualmie Pass
22 / 20
21 / 17
East North
20 / 15
25 / 19
East Central
21 / 18
25 / 20
East South
24 / 20
27 / 19
Mt. Hood
22 / 20
26 / 19
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
24 / 14
Sunday
25 / 14
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
23 / 19
Sunday
21 / 18
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
23 / 21
Sunday
21 / 18
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
24 / 21
Sunday
24 / 19
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
22 / 18
Sunday
22 / 19
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
22 / 20
Sunday
21 / 17
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
20 / 15
Sunday
25 / 19
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
21 / 18
Sunday
25 / 20
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
24 / 20
Sunday
27 / 19
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
22 / 20
Sunday
26 / 19
Issued: 2:09 PM PST Saturday, January 21, 2023
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Morning
Sunday
Afternoon
Olympics
NW 10-20
WNW 10-20
NW 5-15
NW 5-15
West North
W 10-20
WNW 5-15
W 5-15
W 0-10
West Central
WSW 15-25
WNW 15-25
NW 10-20
NW 5-15
West South
W 20-30
NW 15-25
NW 10-20
NW 5-15
Stevens Pass
W 10-20
WNW 15-25
NW 10-20
NW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
W 15-25
NW 20-30
NW 15-25
NW 10-20
East North
W 10-20
NW 10-20
NW 10-20
NW 5-15
East Central
W 15-25
WNW 20-30
NW 15-25
NW 10-20
East South
W 20-30
WNW 20-30
NW 15-25
NW 10-20
Mt. Hood
W 30-40
WNW 35-50
NW 20-30
NW 10-20
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
NW
10-20
Saturday
Night
WNW
10-20
Sunday
Morning
NW
5-15
Sunday
Afternoon
NW
5-15
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
10-20
Saturday
Night
WNW
5-15
Sunday
Morning
W
5-15
Sunday
Afternoon
W
0-10
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WSW
15-25
Saturday
Night
WNW
15-25
Sunday
Morning
NW
10-20
Sunday
Afternoon
NW
5-15
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
20-30
Saturday
Night
NW
15-25
Sunday
Morning
NW
10-20
Sunday
Afternoon
NW
5-15
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
10-20
Saturday
Night
WNW
15-25
Sunday
Morning
NW
10-20
Sunday
Afternoon
NW
5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
15-25
Saturday
Night
NW
20-30
Sunday
Morning
NW
15-25
Sunday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
10-20
Saturday
Night
NW
10-20
Sunday
Morning
NW
10-20
Sunday
Afternoon
NW
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
15-25
Saturday
Night
WNW
20-30
Sunday
Morning
NW
15-25
Sunday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
20-30
Saturday
Night
WNW
20-30
Sunday
Morning
NW
15-25
Sunday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
30-40
Saturday
Night
WNW
35-50
Sunday
Morning
NW
20-30
Sunday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
Issued: 2:09 PM PST Saturday, January 21, 2023
Extended Weather Synopsis
The same pattern described on Monday with flat upper level ridging that allows clouds and periods of light snow to the north and milder and fewer clouds to the south will apply Monday night and Tuesday. On Tuesday night, upper level ridging will amplify offshore, leaving to mild and sunny day on Wednesday.
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).