Issued: 7:07 AM PST Tuesday, January 2, 2024
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

A splitting system lifts a front across the Pacific Northwest Tuesday and Tuesday night. The front has a continuous band of mostly light precipitation draped across SW Washington and western Oregon early Tuesday. This front should gradually lift NE as the day progresses, bringing some moderate ridgeline SSW winds with it. Offshore low-level flow continues to maintain the colder air east of the Cascade Crest and through the mountain gaps, with much milder temperatures across the west slopes of the Cascades and the Olympics. Snow levels should lower to around 3500-4500 ft for the west slopes of the Cascades by the afternoon as light rain and snow become widespread across the Cascades and hover around 2000-3000 ft for the east slopes. The band of precipitation lingers over the Cascades Tuesday night with a gradual weakening of the low-level E flow.

On Wednesday, the E slopes of the Cascades begin to moderate. Light rain and snow become scattered or isolated across the region by the afternoon with a weak upper-level trough lingering over the area.

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 Increasing light rain and snow. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Decreasing periods of light rain and snow become showery. Moderate ridgeline winds become light.
Tuesday Cloudy with light rain and snow developing for the afternoon. Increasing light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Periods of light rain and snow. Light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Cloudy with light rain and snow developing for the afternoon. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Periods of light rain and snow. Light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Increasing light rain and snow. Increasing light to moderate winds (strongest near the Cascade Crest).
Tuesday Night Decreasing periods of light rain and snow. Decreasing light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Cloudy with light rain and snow developing around noon. Increasing light to occasionally moderate ridgeline and light E wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Night Decreasing periods of light rain and snow. Decreasing light ridgeline and E winds at the Pass.
Tuesday Cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the morning hours. Increasing moderate ridgeline and light to moderate E wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Night Decreasing periods of light rain and snow. Light to moderate ridgeline winds become light. Light E flow at the Pass.
Tuesday Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow developing during the afternoon. Light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Periods of light rain and snow. Light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Periods of light rain and snow develop by the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Periods of light rain and snow develop by the afternoon. Decreasing light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Periods of light rain and snow develop by the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Periods of light rain and snow develop by the afternoon. Decreasing light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Light rain and snow develop by mid-morning. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Periods of light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds become light.

Issued: 7:07 AM PST Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 7:07 AM PST Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon* Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon*
Olympics 5000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000'
West North 5000' 4500' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500'
West Central 4500' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500'
West South 3500' 3500' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500'
Stevens Pass 1500' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000'
East North 500' 2000' 1500' 1000' 1500' 3000'
East Central 1500' 2500' 2000' 1500' 2500' 3000'
East South 2000' 3000' 2500' 2000' 2500' 3500'
Mt. Hood 3500' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3500'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 5000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4000'
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 4500'
Wednesday Morning* 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 5000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4000'
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
Tuesday Evening* 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 2500'
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
Tuesday Evening* 3000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 2000'
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 2500'
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 1500'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
Tuesday Evening* 2500'
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Morning* 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
Tuesday Evening* 3000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'

Issued: 7:07 AM PST Tuesday, January 2, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Tuesday Night
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 33 / 31 32 / 28
West North 36 / 31 31 / 29
West Central 36 / 32 31 / 28
West South 34 / 30 31 / 28
Stevens Pass 28 / 23 26 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 28 / 25 28 / 26
East North 24 / 18 25 / 22
East Central 28 / 24 29 / 26
East South 30 / 27 29 / 27
Mt. Hood 32 / 27 31 / 29
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 33 / 31
Tuesday Night 32 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 36 / 31
Tuesday Night 31 / 29
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 36 / 32
Tuesday Night 31 / 28
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 34 / 30
Tuesday Night 31 / 28
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 28 / 23
Tuesday Night 26 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 28 / 25
Tuesday Night 28 / 26
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 24 / 18
Tuesday Night 25 / 22
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 28 / 24
Tuesday Night 29 / 26
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 30 / 27
Tuesday Night 29 / 27
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday 32 / 27
Tuesday Night 31 / 29

Issued: 7:07 AM PST Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night
Olympics SSE 10-20 S 15-25 S 10-20 S 10-20
West North SSE 5-15 SSE 10-20 SSE 10-20 S 5-15
West Central SE 10-20 SE 10-20 SE 10-20 ESE 0-10
West South SE 10-20 SSE 15-25 SE 10-20 SSE 0-10
Stevens Pass SE 10-20 ESE 10-20 SE 5-15 ESE 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass ESE 15-25 SE 15-25 ESE 10-20 ESE 5-15
East North SSE 5-15 SE 10-20 SE 10-20 S 0-10
East Central SSE 10-20 SE 10-20 SSE 10-20 SSE 0-10
East South SSE 10-20 SSE 10-20 SSE 5-15 SSE 0-10
Mt. Hood SSW 10-20 SSW 15-25 S 10-20 SW 5-15
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning SSE 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon S 15-25
Tuesday Evening S 10-20
Tuesday Night S 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning SSE 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon SSE 10-20
Tuesday Evening SSE 10-20
Tuesday Night S 5-15
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning SE 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SE 10-20
Tuesday Evening SE 10-20
Tuesday Night ESE 0-10
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning SE 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SSE 15-25
Tuesday Evening SE 10-20
Tuesday Night SSE 0-10
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning SE 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon ESE 10-20
Tuesday Evening SE 5-15
Tuesday Night ESE 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning ESE 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon SE 15-25
Tuesday Evening ESE 10-20
Tuesday Night ESE 5-15
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning SSE 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon SE 10-20
Tuesday Evening SE 10-20
Tuesday Night S 0-10
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning SSE 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SE 10-20
Tuesday Evening SSE 10-20
Tuesday Night SSE 0-10
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning SSE 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SSE 10-20
Tuesday Evening SSE 5-15
Tuesday Night SSE 0-10
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Morning SSW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 15-25
Tuesday Evening S 10-20
Tuesday Night SW 5-15

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

Previous forecast from Jan 1, 2024

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’.