Issued: 4:32 PM PDT Monday, March 27, 2023
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

4:30 PM updated cloud forecasts for WN and EN Cascades on Tuesday.

An upper low continues to transfer energy to a rapidly developing surface low off the Oregon Coast Monday afternoon. The surface low-pressure center drops 20 millibars in 12 hours which is quite impressive! This low resides more than 300 miles off the Oregon Coast, but will bring increasing impacts to the region in the form of E winds and generally light precipitation.

Flow wrapping around the low at mid-levels will come from the SSE Monday evening, with low-level flow driven by a strengthening easterly gradient. Expect moderate to strong winds for ridgelines near and W of the Cascade Crest with the possibility of extreme gusts through mountain gaps and in the western Cascade Foothills. These winds gradually diminish in southern areas, but impact areas further north Tuesday and Tuesday night.

Moisture rotating around the low brings light rain and snow first to the Mt Hood area during the evening hours, spreading into the E slopes of the Cascades S of highway 12 overnight. Precipitation may become light to moderate in these same areas on Tuesday, with a slight chance of precipitation for areas around Mt. Rainier and the Wenatchee Mountains.

The upper low starts to weaken and move south Tuesday night, but models show light rain and snow focusing on the E slopes of the Cascades from highway 2 southward. Expect very light precipitation to linger in the southern Washington Cascades with warming temperatures developing from north to south as a weak ridge edges into the region.

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 High clouds lowering and thickening.
Tuesday Cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Mostly clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight.
Tuesday Mostly sunny with some high clouds. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Clear to start, then high clouds lowering and thickening. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds (strong gusts).
Monday Night Cloudy with a slight chance of light rain or snow by morning. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds (very strong gusts).
Tuesday Cloudy with light rain or snow at times. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Clouds lowering and thickening. Increasing moderate to strong ridgeline winds. Increasing moderate E wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Cloudy. Moderate to strong ridgeline and moderate E wind at the Pass (with strong to extreme gusts in the western foothills).
Monday Night Clouds lowering and thickening. Increasing moderate to strong (gusting extreme) ridgeline winds. Increasing moderate E wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Cloudy. Strong ridgeline and moderate E wind at the Pass (with strong to extreme gusts in the western foothills).
Monday Night A few scattered clouds in the early evening, then increasing high clouds.
Tuesday Mostly sunny with some high clouds. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Night A few scattered clouds in the early evening, then high clouds lowering and thickening. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Light rain and snow developing for the eastern mountains. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Night High clouds lower and thicken in the evening with light rain or snow developing in southern parts of the area overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Increasing light rain and snow (heaviest southern part). Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Cloudy with light rain or snow possibly become moderate in the early morning hours. Moderate ridgeline winds (strong to extreme gusts).
Tuesday Periods of light to moderate rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds (strong to extreme gusts).

Issued: 4:32 PM PDT Monday, March 27, 2023

Precipitation (in)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 0 LT 0.10 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 0 0 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 0 0 0
Stevens Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 0
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 0
Crystal Mt 0 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Paradise 0 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
White Pass 0 0 0.25 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0 0 0 0
Mission Ridge 0 0 0.25 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 0 LT 0.25 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Timberline 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.25
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25

Issued: 4:32 PM PDT Monday, March 27, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening* Monday Night* Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon* Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics 3500' 3500' 3500' 4500' 4000' 4500' 4500' 5500'
West North 4000' 2500' 2500' 4500' 4500' 3500' 3500' 5500'
West Central 3500' 2500' 3000' 4500' 5000' 3500' 3500' 5500'
West South 3500' 3500' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3000' 3000' 4500'
Stevens Pass 3500' 3000' 3000' 4500' 4000' 3000' 3500' 5500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 3000' 3000' 4500' 4500' 3000' 3500' 5500'
East North 3500' 2500' 2500' 4500' 4500' 3500' 3500' 6000'
East Central 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 4000' 3000' 3500' 5500'
East South 3500' 2500' 2000' 3000' 3500' 3000' 3000' 4000'
Mt. Hood 3500' 2500' 2000' 2500' 3000' 3000' 2500' 3000'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3500'
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Tuesday Evening* 4000'
Tuesday Night* 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening* 4000'
Monday Night* 2500'
Tuesday Morning* 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday Morning 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 2500'
Tuesday Morning* 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Tuesday Evening* 5000'
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday Morning 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3500'
Tuesday Morning* 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Tuesday Evening* 4000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 2500'
Tuesday Morning* 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday Morning 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 6000'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
Tuesday Evening* 4000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 2500'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 2500'
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 2500'
Tuesday Evening* 3000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 3000'

Issued: 4:32 PM PDT Monday, March 27, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 31 / 24 36 / 25
West North 32 / 25 38 / 25
West Central 30 / 25 35 / 25
West South 31 / 25 31 / 24
Stevens Pass 30 / 23 33 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 30 / 25 32 / 25
East North 28 / 19 34 / 18
East Central 29 / 23 33 / 24
East South 30 / 24 30 / 23
Mt. Hood 33 / 27 32 / 27
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 31 / 24
Tuesday 36 / 25
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 32 / 25
Tuesday 38 / 25
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 25
Tuesday 35 / 25
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 31 / 25
Tuesday 31 / 24
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 23
Tuesday 33 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 25
Tuesday 32 / 25
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 28 / 19
Tuesday 34 / 18
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 29 / 23
Tuesday 33 / 24
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 24
Tuesday 30 / 23
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 27
Tuesday 32 / 27

Issued: 4:32 PM PDT Monday, March 27, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics E 10-20 E 15-25 ESE 15-25 ENE 10-20
West North ESE 10-20 ESE 10-20 ESE 15-25 ESE 15-25
West Central ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30 ESE 20-30 ESE 15-25
West South SE 15-25 SE 20-30 ESE 20-30 ESE 20-30
Stevens Pass ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30 E 25-35 E 25-35
Snoqualmie Pass ESE 25-35 ESE 30-40 ESE 25-35 ESE 30-40
East North ESE 10-20 ESE 10-20 ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30
East Central ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30 E 20-30 E 25-35
East South ESE 10-20 ESE 10-20 E 15-25 E 15-25
Mt. Hood SE 20-30 SSE 15-25 ESE 15-25 E 20-30
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening E 10-20
Monday Night E 15-25
Tuesday Morning ESE 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon ENE 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening ESE 10-20
Monday Night ESE 10-20
Tuesday Morning ESE 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon ESE 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening ESE 15-25
Monday Night ESE 20-30
Tuesday Morning ESE 20-30
Tuesday Afternoon ESE 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening SE 15-25
Monday Night SE 20-30
Tuesday Morning ESE 20-30
Tuesday Afternoon ESE 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening ESE 15-25
Monday Night ESE 20-30
Tuesday Morning E 25-35
Tuesday Afternoon E 25-35
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening ESE 25-35
Monday Night ESE 30-40
Tuesday Morning ESE 25-35
Tuesday Afternoon ESE 30-40
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening ESE 10-20
Monday Night ESE 10-20
Tuesday Morning ESE 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon ESE 20-30
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening ESE 15-25
Monday Night ESE 20-30
Tuesday Morning E 20-30
Tuesday Afternoon E 25-35
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening ESE 10-20
Monday Night ESE 10-20
Tuesday Morning E 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon E 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening SE 20-30
Monday Night SSE 15-25
Tuesday Morning ESE 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon E 20-30

Issued: 4:32 PM PDT Monday, March 27, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

A weak ridge replaces the influence of the upper low as the cutoff low drops southward and out of the picture. This should yield weak onshore flow Wednesday night with light N winds aloft and mild temperatures. Upper-level winds shift W on Thursday as lower-level pressure gradients reinforce this flow at the surface, leading to drippy weather for the W slopes of the Cascades developing either Thursday afternoon or overnight. Light rain and snow increase and snow levels lower to around 2500 ft as a cool trough approaches from the NW on Friday.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night Thursday Thursday Night Friday
West North 5000' 4000' 2500' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 4500' 4000' 2500' 2500'
Mt. Hood 4500' 4000' 2500' 2500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night 5000'
Thursday 4000'
Thursday Night 2500'
Friday 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday 4000'
Thursday Night 2500'
Friday 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday 4000'
Thursday Night 2500'
Friday 2500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 27, 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’.