Issued: 2:25 PM PST Saturday, February 18, 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 extended feed of moisture rounding an offshore ridge will impact our region and the mountains stand to measure snow in feet.

NW flow continues Saturday night as flurries linger behind a departed disturbance. Expect a dusting to an inch of snow with the most likely in weak convergence just south of Snoqualmie Pass. Temperatures have been milder than forecast at pass level, but expect some cooling as the sun sets.

The beginning of a prolonged moisture feed begins impacting the mountains of northern Washington with increasing light to potentially moderate snow in the morning hours. By the afternoon, expect moderate to heavy snow from I-90 northward and light snow further south. Moderate ridgeline winds increase during the day with acceleration through the mountain gaps and on the east slopes of the Cascades.

Moderate to heavy snow extends from Paradise to the Canadian border by Sunday night, but snow levels bump up to 3500 ft by 7 PM, changing Snoqualmie Pass to rain. WNW ridgeline winds will be sustained in the strong range in favored areas. The situation changes very little for almost 24 hours and the result will be 1-2.5 ft of snow by late Monday above the rain/snow line.

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 clear in the evening with increasing clouds overnight.
Sunday Cloudy with snow flurries in the morning, then periods of light snow by the afternoon.
Saturday Night Cloudy with a chance of snow flurries.
Sunday Light to moderate snow becomes moderate to heavy in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Cloudy with decreasing snow flurries.
Sunday Light to moderate snow becomes moderate from late morning onwards.
Saturday Night Cloudy with decreasing snow flurries. Moderate ridgeline winds near the Cascade Crest.
Sunday Increasing light rain and snow. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds near the Cascade Crest.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with decreasing light snow flurries. Light to moderate ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Light to moderate snow becomes moderate from late morning onwards. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds and light to occasionally moderate W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Night Weak convergence possible in the evening, then snow flurries. Moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Light to moderate snow becomes moderate from late morning onwards. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds and light to occasionally moderate W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Increasing light snow becomes moderate late in the day. Moderate ridgeline winds become strong at times.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Increasing light rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds become strong at times.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy.
Sunday Cloudy with a slight chance of light snow near the Cascade Crest in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with decreasing snow flurries western part. Partly cloudy further east. Moderate ridgeline winds with strong gusts.
Sunday Very light snow developing. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:25 PM PST Saturday, February 18, 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 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.10 0.75 1.00 - 1.50 0.75 -1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.10 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.75 -1.00
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 0.50 0.75 -1.00 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 -1.00 1.00
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.75 -1.00 0.75 -1.00
White Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25 0.50
Washington Pass 0 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 LT 0.25 0.50 0.50
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0 LT 0.25 0.50
Timberline LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.75
Sunday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.50
Sunday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.50
Sunday Night 0.75 -1.00
Monday 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday Night 0.75 -1.00
Monday 1.00
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0.75 -1.00
Monday 0.75 -1.00
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday 0.50
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.50

Issued: 2:25 PM PST Saturday, February 18, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics 3500' 3000' 3500' 5000' 5500' 5000' 5000' 5000'
West North 2000' 1500' 1000' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000'
West Central 2500' 2500' 1500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000'
West South 3000' 2000' 2000' 3000' 4000' 4500' 4000' 4000'
Stevens Pass 2500' 2500' 2000' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 2500' 2000' 2500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500'
East North 3000' 2000' 1000' 3000' 3500' 3000' 3000' 4000'
East Central 3500' 3000' 2000' 3000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000'
East South 3500' 3000' 2500' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500'
Mt. Hood 3000' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 4000' 4000' 4000'
Olympics Elevation
Saturday Evening 3500'
Saturday Night 3000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 5000'
Sunday Evening 5500'
Sunday Night 5000'
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
West North Elevation
Saturday Evening 2000'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
West Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 2500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
West South Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night 2000'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 4000'
Sunday Night 4500'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 2500'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 2500'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 3500'
Sunday Night 3500'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
East North Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night 2000'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 3500'
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
East Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 3500'
Saturday Night 3000'
Sunday Morning 2000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 4000'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
East South Elevation
Saturday Evening 3500'
Saturday Night 3000'
Sunday Morning 2500'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4500'
Monday Morning 4500'
Monday Afternoon 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night 2500'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 3500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'

Issued: 2:25 PM PST Saturday, February 18, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Saturday Night Sunday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 28 / 25 33 / 27
West North 25 / 22 29 / 23
West Central 25 / 22 29 / 23
West South 29 / 25 32 / 24
Stevens Pass 27 / 24 30 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 27 / 22 30 / 24
East North 25 / 19 32 / 25
East Central 28 / 23 32 / 24
East South 28 / 25 33 / 25
Mt. Hood 28 / 25 35 / 26
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 28 / 25
Sunday 33 / 27
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 25 / 22
Sunday 29 / 23
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 25 / 22
Sunday 29 / 23
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 29 / 25
Sunday 32 / 24
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 27 / 24
Sunday 30 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 27 / 22
Sunday 30 / 24
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 25 / 19
Sunday 32 / 25
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 28 / 23
Sunday 32 / 24
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 28 / 25
Sunday 33 / 25
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 28 / 25
Sunday 35 / 26

Issued: 2:25 PM PST Saturday, February 18, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics WNW 5-15 WNW 5-15 WNW 10-20 W 10-20
West North WSW 5-15 W 10-20 W 10-20 W 15-25
West Central NW 10-20 WNW 10-20 W 15-25 W 15-25
West South WNW 5-15 WNW 5-15 WNW 15-25 WNW 20-30
Stevens Pass WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20 W 15-25 W 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass NW 15-25 WNW 15-25 WNW 20-30 WNW 25-35
East North WNW 10-20 W 15-25 WNW 15-25 W 25-35
East Central WNW 15-25 WNW 15-25 WNW 25-35 WNW 30-40
East South WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20 WNW 15-25 WNW 15-25
Mt. Hood WNW 20-30 WNW 20-30 NW 20-30 WNW 25-35
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WNW 5-15
Saturday Night WNW 5-15
Sunday Morning WNW 10-20
Sunday Afternoon W 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WSW 5-15
Saturday Night W 10-20
Sunday Morning W 10-20
Sunday Afternoon W 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening NW 10-20
Saturday Night WNW 10-20
Sunday Morning W 15-25
Sunday Afternoon W 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WNW 5-15
Saturday Night WNW 5-15
Sunday Morning WNW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon WNW 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WNW 10-20
Saturday Night WNW 10-20
Sunday Morning W 15-25
Sunday Afternoon W 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening NW 15-25
Saturday Night WNW 15-25
Sunday Morning WNW 20-30
Sunday Afternoon WNW 25-35
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WNW 10-20
Saturday Night W 15-25
Sunday Morning WNW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon W 25-35
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WNW 15-25
Saturday Night WNW 15-25
Sunday Morning WNW 25-35
Sunday Afternoon WNW 30-40
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WNW 10-20
Saturday Night WNW 10-20
Sunday Morning WNW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon WNW 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WNW 20-30
Saturday Night WNW 20-30
Sunday Morning NW 20-30
Sunday Afternoon WNW 25-35

Issued: 2:25 PM PST Saturday, February 18, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

Snow levels peak early Monday evening and then start lowering from late evening onwards as an upper trough starts digging southward. Expect snow levels below 3000 ft by midnight with snow ratios increasing. Expect 6-18" of snow Monday night for much of the Cascades. W ridgeline winds and snowfall gradually decrease from N to S late Monday night through Tuesday as the trough works into the region with snowfall light to moderate snow showers and convergence possible. A modified arctic front arrives late Tuesday night with significantly colder air and a transition to much lighter snow showers. Fraser River outflow will spill the cold air into the Puget sound lowlands and we should see snow showers to near sea level with any lingering moisture on Wednesday, but don't expect major accumulations anywhere on Wednesday as the moisture supply will be very limited.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night* Wednesday *
West North 3000' 1500' 500' 0
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 1500' 1000' 0
Mt. Hood 4000' 2000' 1000' 500'
West North Elevation
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday 1500'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday * 0'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday * 0'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night 4000'
Tuesday 2000'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday * 500'

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

Previous forecast from Feb 18, 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’.