Issued: 2:07 PM PST Sunday, January 14, 2024
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

The end of the extended MLK weekend features dry weather at the tail end of an extremely cold air outbreak. Dry NW flow aloft continues with thin, high clouds over the area at times as offshore high gains increasing influence over the region through Monday night.

As of Sunday afternoon, cold air has settled into the lowlands on both sides of the Cascades, with a cold pool of more extreme cold air entrenched east of the Cascades. The coldest air exists below an inversion layer at about 5000 ft. Above that elevation, temperatures aren't exactly warm, but they are more typical of our region as WNW winds override the cold pool. Below 5000 ft, Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass finally crossed back above 0F for the first time since Friday afternoon. Temperatures in this entrenched cold air pool should remain in the 0-10F range for much of the period through Tuesday. E flow accelerates once again late Sunday night and the cold pool thickens, switching ridgeline winds through the lower mountain gaps easterly. This won't be the intense wind event that we had on Saturday but expect moderate winds for Snoqualmie Pass and some gusty winds in the western foothills of the Cascades. The other story will be gradual and sustained warming west of the Cascades. This creates a very strong temperature difference across the Cascades that helps to drive those wins.

Clouds increase late Monday night and Tuesday morning as a low breaks through the offshore ridge. Expect light snow to develop during the afternoon for Mt Hood and the southern Washington Cascades as well as the Olympics. This snow could mix with rain or freezing rain in lower-elevation valleys.

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
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Inversions in the valleys and mountain gaps. Cold. Light ridgeline winds.
Monday Sunny with increasing thin, high clouds. Inversions in the valleys and mountain gaps. Light ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Inversions in the valleys and mountain gaps. Cold. Light ridgeline winds.
Monday Sunny with increasing thin, high clouds. Inversions in the valleys and mountain gaps. Light ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Inversions in the valleys and mountain gaps. Cold. Light ridgeline winds.
Monday Sunny with increasing thin, high clouds. Inversions in the valleys and mountain gaps. Light ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Cold. Inversions in the valleys and mountain gaps. Light ridgeline winds with slightly elevated winds near the Cascade Crest.
Monday Sunny with some thin high clouds increasing in the afternoon. Inversions in the valleys and mountain gaps. Light ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Increasing light to occasionally moderate ridgeline and E winds at the Pass. Extreme cold below the 5000 ft inversion.
Monday Sunny with some thin high clouds increasing in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline and light E winds at the Pass. Very cold below 5000 ft inversion level.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Increasing moderate ridgeline and E winds at the Pass. Extreme cold below the 5000 ft inversion.
Monday Sunny with some thin high clouds increasing in the afternoon. Light ridgeline winds. Very cold below 5000 ft inversion level.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Light ridgeline winds. Extreme cold below the 5000 ft inversion level.
Monday Sunny with some thin high clouds increasing in the afternoon. Light ridgeline winds. Very cold below 5000 ft inversion level.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Light ridgeline winds. Extreme cold below the 5000 ft inversion level.
Monday Sunny with some thin high clouds increasing in the afternoon. Light ridgeline winds. Very cold below 5000 ft inversion level.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Light ridgeline winds. Extremely cold below the 5000 ft inversion level.
Monday Sunny with some thin high clouds increasing in the afternoon. Light ridgeline winds. Very cold below 5000 ft inversion level.
Sunday Night Mostly clear with thin, high clouds decreasing overnight. Light to moderate ridgeline winds become light. Extreme cold below the 5000 ft inversion level.
Monday Sunny with some thin high clouds increasing in the afternoon. Light ridgeline winds. Very cold below 5000 ft inversion level.

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Sunday, January 14, 2024

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Sunday, January 14, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening* Sunday Night* Monday Morning* Monday Afternoon* Monday Evening* Monday Night* Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon*
Olympics 500' 0 0 1500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 4500'
West North 0 0 0 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 2500'
West Central 0 0 0 500' 0 0 0 1500'
West South 500' 0 0 1500' 1000' 500' 500' 2500'
Stevens Pass 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
East North 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
East Central 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
East South 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mt. Hood 1000' 0 0 500' 0 0 0 2000'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening* 500'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 1500'
Monday Evening* 2500'
Monday Night* 3000'
Tuesday Morning* 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 1000'
Monday Evening* 1000'
Monday Night* 1000'
Tuesday Morning* 1000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 2500'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 500'
Monday Evening* 0'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon* 1500'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening* 500'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 1500'
Monday Evening* 1000'
Monday Night* 500'
Tuesday Morning* 500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 2500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 0'
Monday Evening* 0'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon* 0'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 0'
Monday Evening* 0'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon* 0'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 0'
Monday Evening* 0'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon* 0'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 0'
Monday Evening* 0'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon* 0'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening* 0'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 0'
Monday Evening* 0'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon* 0'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening* 1000'
Sunday Night* 0'
Monday Morning* 0'
Monday Afternoon* 500'
Monday Evening* 0'
Monday Night* 0'
Tuesday Morning* 0'
Tuesday Afternoon* 2000'

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Sunday, January 14, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 25 / 20 32 / 24
West North 20 / 16 28 / 20
West Central 21 / 16 27 / 19
West South 20 / 17 28 / 15
Stevens Pass 5 / 1 12 / 2
Snoqualmie Pass 13 / 8 15 / 7
East North 1 / -6 6 / -6
East Central 7 / -1 12 / 0
East South 11 / 1 14 / 1
Mt. Hood 24 / 15 25 / 15
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 25 / 20
Monday 32 / 24
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 20 / 16
Monday 28 / 20
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 21 / 16
Monday 27 / 19
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 20 / 17
Monday 28 / 15
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 5 / 1
Monday 12 / 2
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 13 / 8
Monday 15 / 7
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 1 / -6
Monday 6 / -6
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 7 / -1
Monday 12 / 0
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 11 / 1
Monday 14 / 1
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 15
Monday 25 / 15

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Sunday, January 14, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Sunday, January 14, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

The low arrives with moderate precipitation Tuesday night as a frontal band lifts NE across the Cascades. A trailing trough and additional subtle disturbances keep snowfall going on Wednesday through Thursday. Many areas of the Cascades can expect 6-24" of relatively cold snow with the heaviest snowfall likely Wednesday afternoon with moderate to strong westerly post-frontal flow.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night* Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday *
West North 2000' 2000' 1500' 1000'
Snoqualmie Pass 0 1000' 2500' 1500'
Mt. Hood 2500' 4000' 4000' 5500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday 2000'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday * 1000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday 1000'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday * 1500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2500'
Wednesday 4000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday * 5500'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 14, 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’.