A more weather pattern continues to evolve heading toward the weekend with a general trend toward cooling. On Wednesday afternoon, a weak trough sits over the Pacific Northwest, with a band of heavier shower activity draped from Vancouver Island SSE to Mt Rainier delineating a shift from S to SW winds. Scattered showers and slightly cooler temperatures lie behind the modest frontal boundary. This package continues to impact the Cascades through the evening hours with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Expect elevations above 3000 ft to pick up 1-5" of snow. Low-level winds shift westerly, so the E slopes of the Cascades will not be favored this round.
A deep low over the Aleutian Islands is associated with an elongated frontal boundary moving into our region on Thursday. This will bring more stratiform precipitation that peaks in the mid to late morning hours for the Cascades. Very light E flow develops ahead of the front but switches back W late in the day with the frontal passage. This E flow likely holds off a sliver of a warm sector from changing Snoqualmie Pass level to rain until the cold frontal passage early in the afternoon. Expect decreasing showers for the west slopes of the Cascades, but locally moderate precipitation in convergence bands between Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes. Light rain/snow showers and weak convergence linger as temperatures cool Thursday night.
On Friday, expect SW winds to ramp up into the moderate range as precipitation arrives ahead of a stronger frontal boundary moving in from the NW as the front pivots toward the coastline. Precipitation will be mostly light to moderate on Friday.
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
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers decrease in the evening. Steadier light rain and snow develop overnight. Light to occasionally moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Light rain and snow tapering to increasingly isolated showers from mid-morning onwards. Light to occasionally moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Light to moderate rain and snow becomes showery in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Light to moderate rain and snow becomes showery with convergence banding in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers decrease, then steadier light rain or snow develops in the early morning hours. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Light to moderate rain and snow in the morning (heaviest at Paradise), decreasing and becoming showery in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Light ridgeline winds. Light E winds switch W at the Pass during the evening hours.
Thursday
Light to moderate rain and snow with convergence possible late in the day. Light ridgeline winds. Light W wind switches E early, then back to W late in the day.
Wednesday
Night
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. Light E winds switch W at the Pass during the evening hours.
Thursday
Light to moderate rain and snow possibly mixing with rain at pass level late in the day with convergence possible. SnowLight ridgeline winds. Light W wind switches E early, then back to W late in the day.
Wednesday
Night
Light snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Light snow at times. Light ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Light rain and snow at times. Light ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Light rain and snow at times. Light ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds with strong gusts.
Thursday
Light to moderate rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds with strong gusts.
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
Thursday
Thursday Night
Friday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
LT 0.25
0.25 - 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
LT 0.25
0.25
Stevens Pass
0.25
0.25
LT 0.25
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
0.25 - 0.50
0.50
0.25
0.25
Crystal Mt
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Paradise
0.25 - 0.50
0.50 - 0.75
LT 0.25
0.50
White Pass
LT 0.25
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.25
0.25
LT 0.25
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
LT 0.25
0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Timberline
LT 0.25
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0.25 - 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0.25
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
0.25
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0.50
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.25
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.25
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Snow Level (ft)
Wednesday
Evening*
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning*
Thursday
Afternoon*
Thursday
Evening
Thursday
Night
Friday
Morning
Friday
Afternoon
Olympics
3500'
3500'
3500'
4000'
3000'
2000'
2000'
3000'
West North
3500'
3000'
2500'
3000'
3000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
West Central
3500'
3000'
2500'
3000'
3000'
2000'
1500'
2500'
West South
3500'
3000'
2500'
3500'
3500'
2000'
2000'
2500'
Stevens Pass
3000'
3000'
2500'
3000'
3000'
2000'
1500'
2500'
Snoqualmie Pass
3000'
3000'
2500'
3000'
3500'
2000'
2000'
2500'
East North
3000'
2500'
2000'
2500'
3000'
1500'
500'
2000'
East Central
3000'
2500'
2500'
3000'
3500'
2000'
1000'
2500'
East South
3000'
3000'
2500'
3500'
3500'
2000'
1500'
2500'
Mt. Hood
3500'
3000'
3000'
4000'
4000'
3000'
2000'
3000'
Olympics
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning*
3500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4000'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
2000'
Friday
Morning
2000'
Friday
Afternoon
3000'
West North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3000'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
2000'
Friday
Morning
1500'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
West Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3000'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
2000'
Friday
Morning
1500'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
West South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3500'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
2000'
Friday
Morning
2000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3000'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3000'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
2000'
Friday
Morning
1500'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3000'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3000'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
2000'
Friday
Morning
2000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
East North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3000'
Wednesday
Night
2500'
Thursday
Morning*
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
2500'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
1500'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
East Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3000'
Wednesday
Night
2500'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3000'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
2000'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
East South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3000'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning*
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon*
3500'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
2000'
Friday
Morning
1500'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening*
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning*
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon*
4000'
Thursday
Evening
4000'
Thursday
Night
3000'
Friday
Morning
2000'
Friday
Afternoon
3000'
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, January 3, 2024
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
30 / 27
31 / 25
West North
30 / 27
29 / 27
West Central
30 / 27
29 / 27
West South
30 / 27
31 / 26
Stevens Pass
30 / 26
30 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass
30 / 27
30 / 26
East North
25 / 23
28 / 22
East Central
29 / 26
30 / 25
East South
28 / 27
32 / 26
Mt. Hood
30 / 28
32 / 29
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 27
Thursday
31 / 25
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 27
Thursday
29 / 27
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 27
Thursday
29 / 27
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 27
Thursday
31 / 26
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 26
Thursday
30 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 27
Thursday
30 / 26
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
25 / 23
Thursday
28 / 22
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
29 / 26
Thursday
30 / 25
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
28 / 27
Thursday
32 / 26
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 28
Thursday
32 / 29
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
WSW 5-15
SSW 5-15
SW 10-20
W 5-15
West North
SSW 10-20
SSW 5-15
SSW 10-20
WSW 10-20
West Central
SW 5-15
WSW 5-15
SSW 5-15
WSW 5-15
West South
SW 10-20
WSW 5-15
WSW 10-20
WSW 10-20
Stevens Pass
WSW 5-15
W 5-15
WSW 0-10
WSW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
WSW 15-25
WSW 10-20
WSW 5-15
WSW 10-20
East North
SW 5-15
WSW 10-20
WSW 5-15
WSW 10-20
East Central
WSW 10-20
W 15-25
WSW 5-15
W 10-20
East South
W 10-20
WSW 10-20
WSW 5-15
W 10-20
Mt. Hood
WSW 20-30
WSW 15-25
WSW 15-25
W 20-30
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
SSW
5-15
Thursday
Morning
SW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
W
5-15
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SSW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
SSW
5-15
Thursday
Morning
SSW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Morning
SSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
5-15
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Morning
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
W
5-15
Thursday
Morning
WSW
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
15-25
Wednesday
Night
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
10-20
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
10-20
Wednesday
Night
W
15-25
Thursday
Morning
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
W
10-20
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
W
10-20
Wednesday
Night
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Morning
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Afternoon
W
10-20
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
20-30
Wednesday
Night
WSW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
WSW
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
W
20-30
Issued: 2:13 PM PST Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis
A major snowstorm unfolds as precipitation intensity ramps up Friday night, peaks Saturday morning, and then decreases in the afternoon following the cold frontal passage. Lighter snow showers continue into Saturday night as a cold trough settles into place. NW flow Saturday night and Sunday continues chances for light snow, particularly for the southern Cascades through Sunday.
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).