A short wave system will approach the mountains this evening. As it does so, winds will turn more westerly and clouds will increase. For most locations, precipitation will hold off until after midnight. This isn't a particularly strong storm, and as it finally arrives, it appears to fall apart. However, it will bring a modest amount of snow to the west slopes and passes. Without much forcing behind it, precipitation hangs up on the Cascade crest, and only a few stray showers wander further east. In some areas, the moderate to strong winds will be a bigger story than any snow totals. Look for the windiest conditions near Mission Ridge, Ahtanum Meadows, and Mt Hood.
By late Tuesday morning, the bulk of the storm should be over. Post frontal showers and a weak convergence zone focussed near the Mt Loop Hwy will be all that's left. As winds start to decrease in the afternoon, sun breaks and clearing skies will become the norm. This will usher in a more prolonged period of dry weather for the Pacific Northwest.
A high-pressure ridge builds off the Washington coast Wedensday night and shifts inland. This will become the driving feature in our weather for the remainder of the week. A cold clear night should give way to a mostly sunny and warm day. While you could see passing bands of high clouds, they shouldn't amount to much. Instead, there should be plenty of sunshine to go around. One item to watch will be increasing easterly winds. While this doesn't look like a major wind event, it could result in gusty conditions near the Cascade crest Thursday afternoon.
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
Tuesday
Night
Increasing clouds with isolated showers overnight. Winds becoming W light to moderate.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy in the morning with a few isolated showers. Clearing in the afternoon. Light to moderate W winds decreasing.
Tuesday
Night
Increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Winds becoming W light to moderate.
Wednesday
Cloudy with showers mainly in the morning. Significant sun breaks in the afternoon. Light to moderate W winds decreasing in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Winds becoming W light to moderate.
Wednesday
Cloudy with showers mainly in the morning. A weak convergence zone near the Mt Loop Hwy. Sun breaks and clearing elsewhere. Light to moderate W winds decreasing.
Tuesday
Night
Increasing clouds with isolated showers developing after midnight. Winds becoming W light to moderate.
Wednesday
Cloudy with isolated showers mainly in the morning. Sun breaks and clearing later in the day. Moderate W winds turning NW and decreasing slightly.
Tuesday
Night
Increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Light E flow turning W at Pass level. Ridgeline winds becoming W light to moderate.
Wednesday
Cloudy in the morning with scattered showers. Sun breaks and clearing in the afternoon. Moderate NW ridgeline winds decreasing.
Tuesday
Night
Increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Light E flow turning W at Pass level. Ridgeline winds becoming W light to moderate.
Wednesday
Cloudy in the morning with scattered showers. Sun breaks and clearing in the afternoon. Moderate NW ridgeline winds decreasing.
Tuesday
Night
Increasing clouds with a few stray showers in the very early morning hours near the crest. Winds becoming NW light to moderate.
Wednesday
Cloudy in the morning with a few showers near the crest. Sun breaks and clearing in the afternoon, Moderate W winds turning NW and decreasing.
Tuesday
Night
Increasing clouds with a few stray showers possible near the crest in the early morning hours. Winds becoming W light to moderate.
Wednesday
Cloudy in the morning with a few isolated showers near the crest. Sun breaks and clearing in the afternoon. Moderate to strong and gusty NW winds decreasing.
Tuesday
Night
Increasing low clouds with a few stray showers near the crest in the early morning hours. Winds becoming W light to moderate.
Wednesday
Cloudy in the morning with a few isolated showers. Sun breaks and clearing in the afternoon. Moderate to strong and gusty NW winds decreasing.
Tuesday
Night
Cloudy with a few isolated showers developing after midnight. Winds increasing significantly and becoming W moderate to strong.
Wednesday
Cloudy with showers in the morning. Sun breaks in the afternoon. Strong and gusty NW winds decreasing significantly later in the day.
Issued: 2:20 PM PDT Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
Wednesday
Wednesday Night
Thursday
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
0
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
0
0
Stevens Pass
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
0
0
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
0
0
Crystal Mt
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Paradise
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
0
0
White Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Mission Ridge
0
0
0
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0
LT 0.10
0
0
Mt Hood Meadows
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0
0
Timberline
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.25
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.25
Wednesday
LT 0.25
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.25
Wednesday
LT 0.25
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.25
Wednesday
LT 0.25
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.25
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.25
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.25
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Issued: 2:20 PM PDT Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Snow Level (ft)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night*
Thursday
Morning*
Thursday
Afternoon*
Olympics
2500'
1500'
1000'
2000'
2500'
1000'
1000'
3500'
West North
2500'
1500'
1000'
2000'
2500'
1000'
1000'
4000'
West Central
2500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
2500'
1000'
1000'
4500'
West South
2500'
1000'
1500'
2000'
2500'
1000'
1000'
4500'
Stevens Pass
2500'
1000'
1500'
2000'
2500'
1000'
1000'
4500'
Snoqualmie Pass
2500'
1500'
1500'
2000'
2500'
1000'
1000'
4500'
East North
2000'
500'
1000'
2000'
2000'
500'
500'
4000'
East Central
2000'
1000'
1000'
2000'
2000'
1000'
1000'
4500'
East South
2500'
1000'
1000'
2000'
2500'
1000'
1000'
4500'
Mt. Hood
3000'
1500'
1500'
2500'
2500'
1000'
1000'
4500'
Olympics
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night
1500'
Wednesday
Morning
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2000'
Wednesday
Evening
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3500'
West North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night
1500'
Wednesday
Morning
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2000'
Wednesday
Evening
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4000'
West Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night
1500'
Wednesday
Morning
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2000'
Wednesday
Evening
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
West South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night
1000'
Wednesday
Morning
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2000'
Wednesday
Evening
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night
1000'
Wednesday
Morning
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2000'
Wednesday
Evening
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night
1500'
Wednesday
Morning
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2000'
Wednesday
Evening
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
East North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2000'
Tuesday
Night
500'
Wednesday
Morning
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2000'
Wednesday
Evening
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
500'
Thursday
Morning*
500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4000'
East Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2000'
Tuesday
Night
1000'
Wednesday
Morning
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2000'
Wednesday
Evening
2000'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
East South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night
1000'
Wednesday
Morning
1000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2000'
Wednesday
Evening
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
1500'
Wednesday
Morning
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
2500'
Wednesday
Evening
2500'
Wednesday
Night*
1000'
Thursday
Morning*
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4500'
Issued: 2:20 PM PDT Tuesday, March 14, 2023
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
26 / 21
30 / 21
West North
30 / 24
30 / 23
West Central
30 / 23
30 / 22
West South
30 / 20
30 / 19
Stevens Pass
28 / 22
28 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass
28 / 21
28 / 23
East North
24 / 14
26 / 17
East Central
28 / 21
31 / 21
East South
26 / 18
30 / 21
Mt. Hood
28 / 23
30 / 23
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
26 / 21
Wednesday
30 / 21
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
30 / 24
Wednesday
30 / 23
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
30 / 23
Wednesday
30 / 22
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
30 / 20
Wednesday
30 / 19
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 22
Wednesday
28 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 21
Wednesday
28 / 23
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
24 / 14
Wednesday
26 / 17
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 21
Wednesday
31 / 21
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
26 / 18
Wednesday
30 / 21
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 23
Wednesday
30 / 23
Issued: 2:20 PM PDT Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon
Olympics
SW 5-15
W 10-20
W 10-20
W 5-15
West North
SW 0-10
W 10-20
W 10-20
W 5-15
West Central
SW 0-10
W 10-20
W 15-25
NW 5-15
West South
VAR 0-10
W 10-20
W 15-25
NW 10-20
Stevens Pass
VAR 0-10
W 10-20
NW 15-25
NW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
VAR 0-10
W 10-20
NW 15-25
NW 10-20
East North
SW 0-10
W 10-20
W 15-25
NW 10-20
East Central
VAR 0-10
W 10-20
NW 20-30
NW 10-20
East South
VAR 0-10
W 10-20
NW 20-30
NW 10-20
Mt. Hood
VAR 0-10
W 20-30
NW 25-35
NW 10-20
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Tuesday
Night
W
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
W
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
W
5-15
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
0-10
Tuesday
Night
W
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
W
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
W
5-15
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
0-10
Tuesday
Night
W
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
W
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
NW
5-15
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
W
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
W
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
W
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
NW
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
W
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
NW
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
0-10
Tuesday
Night
W
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
W
15-25
Wednesday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
W
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
NW
20-30
Wednesday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
W
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
NW
20-30
Wednesday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
W
20-30
Wednesday
Morning
NW
25-35
Wednesday
Afternoon
NW
10-20
Issued: 2:20 PM PDT Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Extended Weather Synopsis
A high pressure ridge parked over eastern Washington will keep us dry for the remainder of the week. Expect mostly clear cold nights followed by relatively warm sunny days. Passing high clouds may occasionally traverse the region, but they shouldn't hang around for very long. Over the next several days, we will experience a very gradual warming trend. So, look for freezing levels to slowly creep up the hillsides. Weather models disagree about how long the high pressure will stay in place. An approaching trough late Saturday will be the first potential test of the ridge's resilience. Until then, enjoy the sunshine.
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).