Issued: 2:17 PM PST Sunday, January 22, 2023
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

An offshore ridge of high pressure will maintain cool weather with a few chances for light snowfall as weak systems round the top of the ridge.

The region should experience mostly clear skies Sunday night with some high cloud cover as a moisture-starved warm front moves over the region. Radiational cooling should help temperatures drop into the 10s and low 20s for many mountain locations.

Low clouds move into the area early Monday as a weakening trailing cold front spread some very light snow into the Olympics and west slopes of the Cascades north of Snoqualmie Pass. Expect a dusting to an inch of snow in these areas. The region dries out with freezing levels rising to seasonal norms (2500-5000 ft) by the afternoon with more sunshine as the offshore ridge rebounds. NW flow peaks with the frontal passage Monday morning and Mt. Hood could see some winds in the 15-25 mph hour range before the winds ease. Expect increasing sunshine across the region by the afternoon.

Additional weak perturbations round the top of the offshore ridge, but track too far inland to tap into much moisture Monday night and Tuesday. Expect periods of very light snowfall for the west slopes of the northern Cascades. The best chance for precipitation should be Tuesday 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 Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of light snow.
Monday Mostly cloudy in the morning with snow flurries at times, then becoming partly cloudy.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of light snow.
Monday Periods of light snow in the morning then becoming partly cloudy.
Sunday Night Partly to mostly clear in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy overnight.
Monday Periods of light snow in the morning then becoming partly cloudy.
Sunday Night Mostly clear.
Monday Mostly cloudy in the morning with a few snow flurries possible, then becoming partly cloudy.
Sunday Night Partly to mostly clear. Light ridgeline and W or variable wind at the Pass.
Monday Mostly cloudy in the morning with a chance of light snow, then becoming partly cloudy by afternoon. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Night Partly to mostly clear. Light ridgeline and W or variable wind at the Pass.
Monday Mostly cloudy in the morning with a chance of light snow, then becoming partly cloudy by afternoon. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with high clouds increasing.
Monday Mid and high clouds overhead in the morning, then becoming mostly sunny.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with high clouds increasing.
Monday Mid and high clouds overhead in the morning, then becoming mostly sunny.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with high clouds increasing.
Monday Mid and high clouds overhead in the morning, then becoming mostly sunny.
Sunday Night High clouds in the evening, then becoming mostly clear.
Monday Mid and high clouds overhead in the morning, then becoming mostly sunny.

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Sunday, January 22, 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 LT 0.10 0 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt 0 LT 0.10 0 0
Paradise 0 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
White Pass 0 LT 0.10 0 0
Washington Pass 0 0 0 0
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 0 0 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0 0 0
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0 0 0
Timberline 0 0 0 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Sunday, January 22, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics 2500' 2500' 2000' 4000' 4000' 3000' 4000' 5000'
West North 2000' 1000' 500' 2500' 2000' 1500' 1000' 2000'
West Central 2000' 1000' 1000' 2500' 3000' 2000' 1000' 2500'
West South 2000' 1000' 1000' 3500' 3000' 2000' 2000' 4000'
Stevens Pass 1500' 1000' 500' 3000' 3000' 2500' 1500' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 1000' 500' 3000' 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500'
East North 1500' 500' 1000' 3000' 2500' 2000' 1500' 3000'
East Central 1500' 1000' 1000' 3000' 3000' 2000' 2000' 3500'
East South 2000' 1500' 1500' 4500' 4000' 3000' 2500' 4500'
Mt. Hood 2500' 2000' 2000' 5000' 4500' 3500' 4000' 5000'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 2500'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
Monday Evening 4000'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday Morning 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 5000'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 1000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 1500'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening 1500'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Monday Evening 2500'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 1500'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 1500'
Monday Afternoon 4500'
Monday Evening 4000'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
Monday Evening 4500'
Monday Night 3500'
Tuesday Morning 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 5000'

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Sunday, January 22, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 31 / 24 33 / 28
West North 23 / 19 27 / 21
West Central 23 / 19 28 / 20
West South 25 / 21 31 / 22
Stevens Pass 24 / 19 28 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass 24 / 20 28 / 20
East North 23 / 18 32 / 20
East Central 26 / 19 32 / 24
East South 26 / 20 37 / 26
Mt. Hood 26 / 20 37 / 26
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 31 / 24
Monday 33 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 19
Monday 27 / 21
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 19
Monday 28 / 20
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 25 / 21
Monday 31 / 22
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 19
Monday 28 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 20
Monday 28 / 20
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 18
Monday 32 / 20
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 26 / 19
Monday 32 / 24
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 26 / 20
Monday 37 / 26
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 26 / 20
Monday 37 / 26

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Sunday, January 22, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics WNW 5-15 W 5-15 WNW 5-15 W 0-10
West North SSW 0-10 WSW 0-10 W 5-15 W 5-15
West Central WNW 0-10 W 0-10 WNW 5-15 WNW 5-15
West South WNW 0-10 NW 5-15 NW 5-15 NW 5-15
Stevens Pass W 0-10 W 0-10 WNW 5-15 WNW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass NW 5-15 WNW 5-15 WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20
East North NW 0-10 W 5-15 WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20
East Central NW 0-10 NW 5-15 NW 10-20 NW 10-20
East South NW 5-15 NNW 0-10 NW 5-15 NNW 5-15
Mt. Hood NNW 10-20 NNW 10-20 NW 15-25 NNW 15-25
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WNW 5-15
Sunday Night W 5-15
Monday Morning WNW 5-15
Monday Afternoon W 0-10
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSW 0-10
Sunday Night WSW 0-10
Monday Morning W 5-15
Monday Afternoon W 5-15
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WNW 0-10
Sunday Night W 0-10
Monday Morning WNW 5-15
Monday Afternoon WNW 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WNW 0-10
Sunday Night NW 5-15
Monday Morning NW 5-15
Monday Afternoon NW 5-15
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 0-10
Sunday Night W 0-10
Monday Morning WNW 5-15
Monday Afternoon WNW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening NW 5-15
Sunday Night WNW 5-15
Monday Morning WNW 10-20
Monday Afternoon WNW 10-20
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening NW 0-10
Sunday Night W 5-15
Monday Morning WNW 10-20
Monday Afternoon WNW 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening NW 0-10
Sunday Night NW 5-15
Monday Morning NW 10-20
Monday Afternoon NW 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening NW 5-15
Sunday Night NNW 0-10
Monday Morning NW 5-15
Monday Afternoon NNW 5-15
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening NNW 10-20
Sunday Night NNW 10-20
Monday Morning NW 15-25
Monday Afternoon NNW 15-25

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Sunday, January 22, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

The offshore ridge expands Tuesday night into Wednesday and maintains Wednesday night. This should allow freezing levels in mountain areas to bump above Cascade Crest level in some locations with overnight and morning inversions keeping temperatures cooler at lower elevations. The ridge begins to retrograde late Thursday setting the stage for a shortwave trough on Friday.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night Wednesday * Wednesday Night* Thursday *
West North 1500' 4000' 6000' 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 4000' 5000' 6500'
Mt. Hood 4500' 5500' 6500' 8000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night 1500'
Wednesday * 4000'
Wednesday Night* 6000'
Thursday * 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday * 4000'
Wednesday Night* 5000'
Thursday * 6500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday * 5500'
Wednesday Night* 6500'
Thursday * 8000'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 22, 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’.