Issued: 2:13 PM PST Monday, January 23, 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 upper level and surface high pressure expands off the west coast of the US and into our region through mid-week. A weak perturbation rounding the back side of the high, slides down the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies with minimal available moisture. It will bring increasing clouds and a chance of very light snowfall for the west slopes of the central and northern Cascades late Monday night and Tuesday before all precipitation tapers off Tuesday evening. We're expecting around 1" of snow for Mt. Baker and the Mountain loop with a dusting for Washington Pass, Stevens, and Snoqualmie Pass.

Light to moderate NW ridgleline winds remain relatively consistent across the region with some slight acceleration east of the Cascade Crest and where eddies bring higher winds aloft down to the surface occasionally on the SE side of volcanoes.

The expanding offshore high center moves into the near-shore waters. Mid and upper-level locations will rise above-freezing temperatures from SW to NE across the region, but expect low dewpoints and minimal impact on shaded snow slopes in many areas. Some areas will experience inversions with colder air at low levels.

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 Becoming mostly cloudy.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of very light snowfall.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with a chance of light snow in the early morning hours.
Tuesday
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with a chance of light snow in the early morning hours.
Tuesday Cloudy with light snow at times.
Monday Night Mostly clear.
Tuesday Increasing clouds with periods of very light snow possible.
Monday Night Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of very light snow developing by morning. Light ridgeline and W wind and the Pass.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with periods of very light snow. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Light ridgeline and W wind and the Pass.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with periods of very light snow. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Partly cloudy.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with a chance of light snow at times.
Monday Night Partly cloudy to mostly clear.
Tuesday Partly to mostly cloudy with a few flurries near the Cascade Crest.
Monday Night Partly cloudy to mostly clear.
Tuesday Becoming partly cloudy.
Monday Night Mostly clear. Occasional periods of strong winds on the south side of the mountain.
Tuesday Mostly sunny. Occasional periods of strong winds on the south side of the mountain.

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

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics 4000' 3000' 4500' 5500' 5500' 5000' 8000' 9000'
West North 2500' 1500' 1000' 2500' 2500' 2500' 3000' 7000'
West Central 3000' 1500' 1500' 2500' 2500' 3500' 3500' 7000'
West South 3500' 2000' 2000' 4000' 4500' 3500' 3500' 7500'
Stevens Pass 3000' 1500' 1500' 2500' 3000' 3500' 4000' 7000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 2000' 1500' 2500' 3000' 4000' 4000' 7000'
East North 2500' 1500' 1500' 3500' 3500' 3000' 3000' 7000'
East Central 3000' 1500' 1500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 7500'
East South 4000' 2500' 2000' 4500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 7500'
Mt. Hood 5000' 3500' 3500' 5000' 5000' 4500' 7500' 8500'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening 4000'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday Morning 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 5500'
Tuesday Evening 5500'
Tuesday Night 5000'
Wednesday Morning 8000'
Wednesday Afternoon 9000'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening 2500'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening 2500'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 7000'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening 2500'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday Morning 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 7000'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4000'
Tuesday Evening 4500'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday Morning 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 7500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening 3000'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 7000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening 3000'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 7000'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening 2500'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 3000'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 7000'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday Morning 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 7500'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening 4000'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 7500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening 5000'
Monday Night 3500'
Tuesday Morning 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon 5000'
Tuesday Evening 5000'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 7500'
Wednesday Afternoon 8500'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 30 / 26 34 / 28
West North 25 / 23 30 / 23
West Central 26 / 23 28 / 22
West South 27 / 25 33 / 23
Stevens Pass 24 / 22 28 / 22
Snoqualmie Pass 25 / 23 28 / 21
East North 24 / 22 31 / 23
East Central 26 / 24 30 / 24
East South 28 / 26 37 / 26
Mt. Hood 32 / 30 39 / 31
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 26
Tuesday 34 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 25 / 23
Tuesday 30 / 23
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 26 / 23
Tuesday 28 / 22
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 27 / 25
Tuesday 33 / 23
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 24 / 22
Tuesday 28 / 22
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 25 / 23
Tuesday 28 / 21
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 24 / 22
Tuesday 31 / 23
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 26 / 24
Tuesday 30 / 24
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 28 / 26
Tuesday 37 / 26
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 32 / 30
Tuesday 39 / 31

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Extended Weather Synopsis

The high-pressure center begins to retrograde westward Wednesday night and Thursday with cooling temperatures for northern Washington with a slight chance for light snow by the end of the day for Mt. Baker. Areas further south remain mild with higher dewpoints (more moisture in the air) than Wednesday. A shortwave system dropping south Thursday night and Friday could bring 1-4" of snow to the west slopes of the Cascades with rapidly cooling temperatures.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night* Thursday Thursday Night Friday
West North 5500' 4000' 2500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' 6000' 2500' 3000'
Mt. Hood 7000' 9500' 7000' 3500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night* 5500'
Thursday 4000'
Thursday Night 2500'
Friday 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night* 5000'
Thursday 6000'
Thursday Night 2500'
Friday 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night* 7000'
Thursday 9500'
Thursday Night 7000'
Friday 3500'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 23, 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’.