Issued: 7:04 AM PST Wednesday, February 22, 2023
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

Brrr...an unseasonably cold upper level trough has set up over the western US and temperatures aren't done sliding down over the short term. A modified arctic front came through last night and brought a few inches of snow, most notably in the Mission Ridge area as it passed from the interior and pressed along the east side of the Cascades. Washington State is experiencing E or NE offshore flow while on the southern periphery of the counter-clockwise circulation located off of the Washington Coast, Mt Hood continues to see light snow showers rotated in westerly flow. We'll see light snow showers along the Olympics, east slopes of the Cascades and Cascade Passes today and more scattered snow showers elsewhere. The Olymipcs are closest to the low pressure offshore and may pick up the most new snow over the next 36 hours. Winds with be in the light to moderate range today with localized breezy NE winds near the Fraser River Valley Outflow and E winds elsewhere. 

Expect more of the same tonight except that the offshore flow and easterly winds will increase to moderate, becoming locally strong near Snoqualmie Pass and southward for areas including Crystal Mt, White Pass and Mt. Hood.  We'll see a reinforcing shot of cold air, with overnight mid-mountain lows falling well into single digits and even lower wind chills. It's likely we'll see some below 0F temperatures at higher elevation sites tomorrow morning. 

On Thursday, the low complex positioned off the mouth of the Columbia River will drop south, pulling the moisture with it.  We may see some mid-day/afternoon sunshine following the thinning of low and mid-level clouds on Thursday afternoon especially near and west of the Cascade crest. Moderate east winds and cold temperatures will continue on Thursday. 

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
Wednesday Cloudy with light snow showers.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with light snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Localized moderate NE ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with a few flurries. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light snow showers.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with a few flurries. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Light E winds at Pass level and ridgeline increasing to light to moderate in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline and Pass level E winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Light to moderate E winds at Pass level and ridgeline increasing slightly in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline and Pass level E winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with occasional periods of light snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.

Precipitation (in)

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

Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon* Wednesday Evening* Wednesday Night* Thursday Morning* Thursday Afternoon*
Olympics 0 500' 0 0 0 500'
West North 0 500' 0 0 0 500'
West Central 0 1000' 0 0 0 500'
West South 500' 1500' 0 0 0 500'
Stevens Pass 0 1000' 0 0 0 500'
Snoqualmie Pass 500' 1000' 0 0 0 500'
East North 0 1000' 0 0 0 500'
East Central 0 1000' 0 0 0 500'
East South 0 1500' 0 0 0 500'
Mt. Hood 500' 1500' 0 0 0 500'
Olympics Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 500'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 500'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
West Central Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
West South Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1500'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
East North Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
East Central Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
East South Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1500'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1500'
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Wednesday Wednesday Night
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 14 / 11 9 / 4
West North 16 / 13 9 / 3
West Central 17 / 13 9 / 4
West South 19 / 16 9 / 4
Stevens Pass 17 / 14 6 / 5
Snoqualmie Pass 18 / 14 6 / 5
East North 16 / 9 6 / 0
East Central 16 / 11 6 / 2
East South 17 / 11 6 / 3
Mt. Hood 18 / 12 9 / 5
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 14 / 11
Wednesday Night 9 / 4
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 16 / 13
Wednesday Night 9 / 3
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 17 / 13
Wednesday Night 9 / 4
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 19 / 16
Wednesday Night 9 / 4
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 17 / 14
Wednesday Night 6 / 5
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 18 / 14
Wednesday Night 6 / 5
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 16 / 9
Wednesday Night 6 / 0
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 16 / 11
Wednesday Night 6 / 2
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 17 / 11
Wednesday Night 6 / 3
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 18 / 12
Wednesday Night 9 / 5

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night
Olympics E 5-15 E 5-15 ESE 5-15 ESE 10-20
West North ENE 5-15 ENE 10-20 E 10-20 E 10-20
West Central E 0-10 E 5-15 E 10-20 ESE 10-20
West South E 5-15 ESE 10-20 ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30
Stevens Pass E 0-10 E 5-15 ESE 15-25 ESE 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass E 5-15 E 10-20 ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30
East North ESE 5-15 E 5-15 E 10-20 ESE 10-20
East Central E 10-20 ENE 10-20 E 10-20 E 15-25
East South ENE 5-15 E 5-15 E 10-20 ENE 15-25
Mt. Hood W 5-15 ENE 5-15 ESE 10-20 ESE 20-30
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning E 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon E 5-15
Wednesday Evening ESE 5-15
Wednesday Night ESE 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning ENE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon ENE 10-20
Wednesday Evening E 10-20
Wednesday Night E 10-20
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning E 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon E 5-15
Wednesday Evening E 10-20
Wednesday Night ESE 10-20
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning E 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon ESE 10-20
Wednesday Evening ESE 15-25
Wednesday Night ESE 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning E 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon E 5-15
Wednesday Evening ESE 15-25
Wednesday Night ESE 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning E 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon E 10-20
Wednesday Evening ESE 15-25
Wednesday Night ESE 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning ESE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon E 5-15
Wednesday Evening E 10-20
Wednesday Night ESE 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning E 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon ENE 10-20
Wednesday Evening E 10-20
Wednesday Night E 15-25
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning ENE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon E 5-15
Wednesday Evening E 10-20
Wednesday Night ENE 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning W 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon ENE 5-15
Wednesday Evening ESE 10-20
Wednesday Night ESE 20-30

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

Previous forecast from Feb 21, 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’.