Issued: 2:05 PM PST Tuesday, November 21, 2023
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

After a cloudy, mild and windy day in the mountains, radar imagery shows precipitation from a frontal system closing in on the Olympic peninsula early Tuesday afternoon.  This frontal system will blow through the area this evening and overnight, fizzling towards the morning hours as it sags south towards Mt. Hood. Warm air riding in from the SW has punched through the cold air bottled up on the east slopes of the Cascades and overwhelmed cool easterly flow; an example being Dirty Face Summit above L. Wenatchee popped up to 42F with SW winds mid-day today. 

The west slopes of the Cascades will see some moderate rain and snow along with a quick shot of wind tonight. Look for a few inches of wet snow above 4500-5500' across the range.  There will be even lower snowfall totals for the Olympics, Mt Hood and east slopes of the Cascades.  By the time the system reaches Mt Hood overnight, we may be looking at more of light freezing rain/snow/rain mix.  This storm won't be the one we need to kick-start the snow season. 

There's not much left over moisture for Wednesday, but expect some low clouds to stick around in the afternoon, especially near and west of the Cascade crest.  Winds will stay strong at Mt Hood through late Wednesday morning. 

We'll be on the backside of an upper level trough with cool northerly flow aloft Wednesday night and Thanksgiving. Look for dry, mainly clear, and cool conditions with locally moderate to strong N-NE winds in the alpine afflicting the North Cascades over this period. 

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 tapering late. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow developing this evening, occasionally moderate overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, then partly to mostly cloudy mid-day.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow developing this evening, occasionally moderate overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, then partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow developing this evening, occasionally moderate for Mt Rainier area overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds developing.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, then partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow developing this evening. Moderate ridgeline and Pass level W-SW winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, then partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Light to moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow developing this evening, occasionally moderate after midnight. Moderate ridgeline and Pass level W-SW winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, then partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Light to moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow developing this evening. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds developing.
Wednesday Cloudy with a chance of rain or snow showers in the morning, then partly sunny mid-day. Moderate ridgeline winds in the morning easing in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow developing late this evening. Moderate ridgeline winds developing.
Wednesday Cloudy with a chance of rain or snow showers in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds in the morning easing in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow developing late this evening. Moderate ridgeline winds developing.
Wednesday Cloudy with a chance of rain or snow showers in the morning, then partly sunny in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds in the morning easing in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Cloudy this evening then periods of light rain, snow or freezing rain after midnight. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Periods of light rain, snow or freezing rain in the morning, then partly to mostly cloudy. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds easing mid-day.

Issued: 2:05 PM PST Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Precipitation (in)

Tuesday Night Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.25 0 0 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.50 LT 0.10 0 0
Stevens Pass 0.25 LT 0.10 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 0
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 0
Paradise 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 0
White Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 0
Washington Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0 0 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 0 0 0
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 0
Timberline LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
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 LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0

Issued: 2:05 PM PST Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics 6000' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3500' 3500' 4000' 4500'
West North 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3000' 2500' 3500' 4000'
West Central 5000' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3500' 4000'
West South 6000' 5000' 4500' 5000' 4000' 3500' 4000' 4500'
Stevens Pass 5000' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3000' 2500' 3500' 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass 5500' 5500' 4000' 4000' 3000' 2500' 3500' 4500'
East North 4000' 3000' 4000' 4000' 2000' 1000' 2500' 3500'
East Central 6500' 5000' 4500' 4500' 3000' 2000' 3000' 4000'
East South 7500' 6000' 5000' 5000' 4000' 3000' 4000' 5000'
Mt. Hood 9000' 7000' 7000' 7000' 5000' 4000' 4000' 4000'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 6000'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 3500'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 3500'
Wednesday Evening 3000'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 5000'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 3500'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 6000'
Tuesday Night 5000'
Wednesday Morning 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 5000'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 3000'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 5500'
Tuesday Night 5500'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 3000'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4000'
Tuesday Night 3000'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 2000'
Wednesday Night 1000'
Thursday Morning 2500'
Thursday Afternoon 3500'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 6500'
Tuesday Night 5000'
Wednesday Morning 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 3000'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning 3000'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 7500'
Tuesday Night 6000'
Wednesday Morning 5000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 9000'
Tuesday Night 7000'
Wednesday Morning 7000'
Wednesday Afternoon 7000'
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 4000'
Thursday Afternoon 4000'

Issued: 2:05 PM PST Tuesday, November 21, 2023

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 38 / 30 31 / 24
West North 37 / 29 31 / 26
West Central 38 / 32 31 / 27
West South 40 / 34 32 / 26
Stevens Pass 37 / 32 31 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass 37 / 31 31 / 25
East North 35 / 29 31 / 25
East Central 37 / 33 31 / 25
East South 39 / 34 36 / 28
Mt. Hood 40 / 35 38 / 31
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 38 / 30
Wednesday 31 / 24
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 37 / 29
Wednesday 31 / 26
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 38 / 32
Wednesday 31 / 27
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 40 / 34
Wednesday 32 / 26
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 37 / 32
Wednesday 31 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 37 / 31
Wednesday 31 / 25
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 35 / 29
Wednesday 31 / 25
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 37 / 33
Wednesday 31 / 25
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 39 / 34
Wednesday 36 / 28
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 40 / 35
Wednesday 38 / 31

Issued: 2:05 PM PST Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics SW 15-25 W 5-15 W 0-10 WNW 0-10
West North SSW 20-30 WSW 10-20 W 0-10 W 0-10
West Central SW 20-30 W 10-20 W 5-15 WNW 5-15
West South SW 15-25 WSW 15-25 W 5-15 NW 5-15
Stevens Pass SW 10-20 W 15-25 WNW 5-15 WNW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass SW 15-25 W 20-30 WNW 10-20 NW 10-20
East North SW 20-30 W 20-30 WNW 10-20 NW 10-20
East Central WSW 20-30 W 20-30 WNW 15-25 WNW 5-15
East South WSW 20-30 WSW 20-30 WNW 15-25 WNW 5-15
Mt. Hood SW 25-35 WSW 30-40 W 20-30 WNW 10-20
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 15-25
Tuesday Night W 5-15
Wednesday Morning W 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 0-10
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SSW 20-30
Tuesday Night WSW 10-20
Wednesday Morning W 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon W 0-10
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 20-30
Tuesday Night W 10-20
Wednesday Morning W 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 15-25
Tuesday Night WSW 15-25
Wednesday Morning W 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon NW 5-15
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 10-20
Tuesday Night W 15-25
Wednesday Morning WNW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 15-25
Tuesday Night W 20-30
Wednesday Morning WNW 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon NW 10-20
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 20-30
Tuesday Night W 20-30
Wednesday Morning WNW 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon NW 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 20-30
Tuesday Night W 20-30
Wednesday Morning WNW 15-25
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 5-15
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 20-30
Tuesday Night WSW 20-30
Wednesday Morning WNW 15-25
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 5-15
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 25-35
Tuesday Night WSW 30-40
Wednesday Morning W 20-30
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 10-20

Issued: 2:05 PM PST Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Extended Weather Synopsis

Strong high pressure offshore will nudge east over the area through the holiday weekend.  Look for dry conditions, mainly clear skies, and slowly warming temperatures/rising freezing levels through the weekend.   

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night Friday Friday Night Saturday *
West North 3000' 4500' 4000' 7000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 5000' 4000' 7000'
Mt. Hood 3500' 5000' 4000' 7500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 4500'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday * 7000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 5000'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday * 7000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday 5000'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday * 7500'

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

Previous forecast from Nov 20, 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’.