Issued: 2:08 PM PDT Tuesday, March 28, 2023
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

A deep low pressure begins to weaken as it meanders southward from off the N California Coastline Tuesday afternoon. A boundary at the northern edge of the moisture wrapping around the low sits near the Oregon/Washington line with some light rain/snow for the southernmost Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. As the moves away, winds should gradually ease but expect more moderate to locally strong ridgeline winds for the southern Washington Cascades, particularly near and just west of the Cascade Crest. The aforementioned boundary lifts light rain and snow north into the central Washington Cascades Tuesday night, with a slight increase in light to occasionally moderate rain and snow for areas south of highway 12. This precipitation band dissipates early Wednesday along with the E wind event.

A tongue of high-pressure edges into northern Washington as Wednesday progresses, bringing increasing sunshine from N to S along with freezing levels rising to around 5500 ft. The mild weather continues on the weak ridging and clear skies Wednesday night. Low-level onshore flow should produce a bit of cloud cover for the west slopes of the Cascades and cooling temperatures as the ridge weakens on Thursday. The southernmost Cascades could receive some very light rain or snow.

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 Light rain and snow in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy.
Wednesday More sun than clouds.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear.
Wednesday Sunny with filtered sunshine or scattered clouds at times.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy.
Wednesday Partly cloudy.
Tuesday Night Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with decreasing chances of increasingly shower light rain and snow.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with light rain or snow at times. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Wednesday Partly cloudy. Light ridgeline winds. E wind switches W at the Pass in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Very light rain or snow possible in the evening, then remaining cloudy overnight. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds becoming light. Decreasing light to moderate E wind at the Pass.
Wednesday Partly cloudy. Light ridgeline winds. E wind switches W at the Pass in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy with a slight chance of light rain or snow. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Partly cloudy.
Tuesday Night Light rain or snow at times focus on the Wenatchee Mountains and areas around Leavenworth.
Wednesday Light rain and snow showers through mid morning, then becoming partly cloudy.
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain or snow at times.
Wednesday Decreasing light snow with partial sunshine and a chance of isolated rain/snow showers in the aftenroon.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow decreasing from late evening onward.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with a chance of scattered rain/snow showers in the afternoon.

Issued: 2:08 PM PDT Tuesday, March 28, 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 0 0 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 0 0 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 0 0 0
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0
Crystal Mt 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
Paradise LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
White Pass 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
Washington Pass 0 0 0 0
Mission Ridge 0.25 LT 0.10 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0 0 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Timberline 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10

Issued: 2:08 PM PDT Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics 3500' 5000' 4500' 5500' 6000' 4000' 3500' 3500'
West North 4500' 5500' 3500' 5500' 6500' 4500' 3500' 4000'
West Central 4500' 5000' 3500' 5500' 6500' 4000' 3500' 4000'
West South 4000' 3500' 3000' 4000' 5000' 4000' 3500' 4000'
Stevens Pass 3500' 3000' 3000' 5500' 6500' 3500' 3500' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 3000' 3000' 5000' 6000' 3500' 3500' 4000'
East North 4500' 4000' 3500' 5500' 6500' 3500' 4000' 5000'
East Central 3500' 3000' 3500' 5000' 6000' 4000' 4000' 4500'
East South 3500' 3000' 3000' 4000' 5000' 4500' 4000' 4500'
Mt. Hood 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 5000' 4000' 3500' 3500'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 5000'
Wednesday Morning* 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
Wednesday Evening 6000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 5500'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
Wednesday Evening 6500'
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 5000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
Wednesday Evening 6500'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4000'
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
Wednesday Evening 6500'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Wednesday Evening 6000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 4000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5500'
Wednesday Evening 6500'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Wednesday Evening 6000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 3500'
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'

Issued: 2:08 PM PDT Tuesday, March 28, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 33 / 26 41 / 27
West North 34 / 30 41 / 30
West Central 34 / 31 40 / 30
West South 31 / 29 39 / 29
Stevens Pass 33 / 28 42 / 28
Snoqualmie Pass 32 / 27 40 / 28
East North 33 / 25 40 / 26
East Central 32 / 27 41 / 27
East South 30 / 27 38 / 26
Mt. Hood 32 / 26 35 / 25
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 33 / 26
Wednesday 41 / 27
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 34 / 30
Wednesday 41 / 30
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 34 / 31
Wednesday 40 / 30
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 31 / 29
Wednesday 39 / 29
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 33 / 28
Wednesday 42 / 28
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 27
Wednesday 40 / 28
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 33 / 25
Wednesday 40 / 26
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 27
Wednesday 41 / 27
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 30 / 27
Wednesday 38 / 26
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 26
Wednesday 35 / 25

Issued: 2:08 PM PDT Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics E 10-20 ENE 10-20 ENE 0-10 WNW 0-10
West North E 10-20 ESE 10-20 ESE 0-10 WSW 0-10
West Central E 20-30 E 10-20 E 5-15 WSW 5-15
West South E 20-30 E 10-20 E 5-15 NNW 0-10
Stevens Pass E 15-25 E 5-15 ESE 5-15 NNE 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass ESE 20-30 E 15-25 E 5-15 WNW 0-10
East North E 15-25 E 10-20 ESE 5-15 SW 0-10
East Central E 20-30 E 10-20 E 10-20 NW 0-10
East South E 10-20 ENE 10-20 ENE 5-15 NNE 0-10
Mt. Hood E 0-10 S 0-10 NW 0-10 N 0-10
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 10-20
Tuesday Night ENE 10-20
Wednesday Morning ENE 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 0-10
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 10-20
Tuesday Night ESE 10-20
Wednesday Morning ESE 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 0-10
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 20-30
Tuesday Night E 10-20
Wednesday Morning E 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 20-30
Tuesday Night E 10-20
Wednesday Morning E 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon NNW 0-10
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 15-25
Tuesday Night E 5-15
Wednesday Morning ESE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon NNE 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening ESE 20-30
Tuesday Night E 15-25
Wednesday Morning E 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 0-10
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 15-25
Tuesday Night E 10-20
Wednesday Morning ESE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SW 0-10
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 20-30
Tuesday Night E 10-20
Wednesday Morning E 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon NW 0-10
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 10-20
Tuesday Night ENE 10-20
Wednesday Morning ENE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon NNE 0-10
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 0-10
Tuesday Night S 0-10
Wednesday Morning NW 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon N 0-10

Issued: 2:08 PM PDT Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

A cold closed low approaches the region late in the week. Drippy weather Thursday night becomes more steady light rain and snow for the west slopes of our mountains on Friday with temperatures slightly below seasonal norms. Expect a round of moderate rain and snow Friday night, followed by a frontal passage early Saturday. As the upper low moves in during the day, post-frontal snow showers maintain a snowy pattern as temperatures decrease well below seasonal norms.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night Friday Friday Night Saturday
West North 3000' 2000' 2500' 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 2500' 3000' 2500'
Mt. Hood 3000' 3000' 3000' 2500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 2000'
Friday Night 2500'
Saturday 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 2500'
Friday Night 3000'
Saturday 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 3000'
Friday Night 3000'
Saturday 2500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 28, 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’.