Issued: 2:11 PM PST Tuesday, January 16, 2024
by Matt Primomo

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

Weather Synopsis

Here we go into another significant winter storm! A front swings in from the southwest and lifts north across the PNW Tuesday night. This first act should give most mountain areas a nice blanket of 6-12" through Wednesday morning. SSW winds ramp up along the west side of the Cascades overnight and should bring stormy conditions to Mt Baker by early morning. An arm of the polar jet drops down and meets the low pressure system, setting the stage for an impressive snowfall event across the entire region. The two features will circulate together and allow disturbances to ripple through in strong WSW flow. Expect moderate to heavy snowfall in the middle of the day. Locations along the crest from the Mtn Loop south through Hood could receive a handful of hours of very heavy snowfall. By 4pm many areas should have 1-2ft of new snow, and will be in the thick of the storm.

As the low drifts east in the evening, the mean flow becomes WNW. Northerly winds from the Fraser and Columbia valleys are expected to bring enhanced cold air into the picture. This should create excellent conditions for more heavy snowfall, favoring the Cascade Crest with convergence banding. Snowfall will begin to wind down overnight, first for areas that get shadowed with WNW flow like the east slopes of the Cascades and eastern Olympics. Many areas to the north will receive a short break in snowfall, but light snow could linger along the crest from Snoqualmie Pass and south to Hood. The next front arrives from the SW on Thursday, bringing moderate to potentially heavy snowfall to Hood, with lighter snow to the central region. Snowfall should spread into most of the region by the end of the day, but the heavier accumulations may keep to the south and west of Snoqualmie Pass during the daytime.

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 snowfall.
Wednesday Moderate snowfall. Winds becoming northerly with potential for enhanced upslope flow along the north side of the Olympics.
Tuesday Night Light to moderate snowfall. Snow becoming heavy early in the morning with strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Heavy to moderate snowfall, tapering some late in the day.
Tuesday Night Light to moderate snowfall.
Wednesday Moderate snowfall, becoming very heavy with moderate WSW ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Light to moderate snowfall. Increasing ridgetop winds.
Wednesday Moderate to very heavy snowfall with very strong WSW ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Light to moderate snowfall. Light easterly winds at pass level.
Wednesday Moderate snowfall, becoming very heavy with moderate to strong WSW ridgeline winds. Light easterly winds at pass level.
Tuesday Night Moderate snowfall. Light to moderate E winds at pass and ridgeline.
Wednesday Increasingly heavy snowfall, very heavy at times with strong WSW ridgeline winds. Light to moderate E winds at pass level.
Tuesday Night Light snow and cold.
Wednesday Moderate snowfall.
Tuesday Night Light to moderate snow and cold.
Wednesday Moderate to heavy snowfall. Winds becoming strong at ridgelines from the WSW.
Tuesday Night Light to moderate snow.
Wednesday Moderate snowfall. Winds becoming strong at ridgelines from the WSW.
Tuesday Night Moderate snowfall with strong ridgetop winds.
Wednesday Heavy to very heavy snowfall with strong to extreme ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:11 PM PST Tuesday, January 16, 2024

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 0.25 0.50 0 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise 0.75 -1.00 1.50 0.25 0.75
White Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass LT 0.10 0.75 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 0.25 LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.25 0.50 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 0.50 - 0.75 1.50 0.75 0.75
Timberline 0.75 1.50 - 2.00 0.75 0.75
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.50
Wednesday 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.75 -1.00
Wednesday 1.50
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0.75
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday 0.75
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0.75
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday 1.00
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday 1.50
Wednesday Night 0.75
Thursday 0.75
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.75
Wednesday 1.50 - 2.00
Wednesday Night 0.75
Thursday 0.75

Issued: 2:11 PM PST Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Afternoon* Wednesday Night Thursday Morning* Thursday Afternoon*
Olympics 4500' 3500' 3000' 1500' 1500' 3000'
West North 2500' 2000' 1000' 0 0 500'
West Central 1500' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1500'
West South 1500' 1500' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2500'
Stevens Pass 500' 0 500' 1000' 1000' 1000'
Snoqualmie Pass 500' 0 500' 2000' 1500' 1500'
East North 0 0 0 0 0 0
East Central 0 0 500' 500' 500' 500'
East South 1000' 500' 1500' 2500' 2000' 1000'
Mt. Hood 5000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4500' 3500'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday Morning* 1500'
Thursday Afternoon* 3000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 2500'
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Night 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1000'
Wednesday Night 1000'
Thursday Morning* 1000'
Thursday Afternoon* 1500'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning* 2000'
Thursday Afternoon* 2500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 500'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 500'
Wednesday Night 1000'
Thursday Morning* 1000'
Thursday Afternoon* 1000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 500'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 500'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning* 1500'
Thursday Afternoon* 1500'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 0'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 0'
Wednesday Night 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 0'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 500'
Wednesday Night 500'
Thursday Morning* 500'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1000'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1500'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning* 2000'
Thursday Afternoon* 1000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 5000'
Tuesday Night* 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning* 4500'
Thursday Afternoon* 3500'

Issued: 2:11 PM PST Tuesday, January 16, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 30 / 29 31 / 22
West North 25 / 23 27 / 17
West Central 26 / 25 27 / 22
West South 30 / 26 32 / 28
Stevens Pass 18 / 15 24 / 18
Snoqualmie Pass 23 / 21 26 / 22
East North 14 / 11 15 / 8
East Central 19 / 16 23 / 19
East South 29 / 22 32 / 25
Mt. Hood 32 / 27 34 / 31
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 30 / 29
Wednesday 31 / 22
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 25 / 23
Wednesday 27 / 17
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 26 / 25
Wednesday 27 / 22
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 30 / 26
Wednesday 32 / 28
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 18 / 15
Wednesday 24 / 18
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 23 / 21
Wednesday 26 / 22
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 14 / 11
Wednesday 15 / 8
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 19 / 16
Wednesday 23 / 19
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 29 / 22
Wednesday 32 / 25
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 27
Wednesday 34 / 31

Issued: 2:11 PM PST Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics SW 5-15 SSW 10-20 SW 5-15 N 5-15
West North SW 15-25 S 15-25 SSW 20-30 WSW 10-20
West Central SSW 10-20 SSW 15-25 SW 10-20 WSW 20-30
West South SSW 10-20 SW 15-25 SW 15-25 WSW 30-40
Stevens Pass ESE 0-10 S 5-15 SW 10-20 WSW 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass ESE 15-25 SSW 15-25 SW 20-30 WSW 25-35
East North WSW 5-15 SW 5-15 SW 5-15 SSE 5-15
East Central WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20 SW 15-25 WSW 25-35
East South SW 5-15 WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20 WSW 25-35
Mt. Hood SW 25-35 SW 25-35 SW 30-40 WSW 35-50
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 5-15
Tuesday Night SSW 10-20
Wednesday Morning SW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon N 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 15-25
Tuesday Night S 15-25
Wednesday Morning SSW 20-30
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 10-20
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SSW 10-20
Tuesday Night SSW 15-25
Wednesday Morning SW 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 20-30
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SSW 10-20
Tuesday Night SW 15-25
Wednesday Morning SW 15-25
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 30-40
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening ESE 0-10
Tuesday Night S 5-15
Wednesday Morning SW 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening ESE 15-25
Tuesday Night SSW 15-25
Wednesday Morning SW 20-30
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 25-35
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 5-15
Tuesday Night SW 5-15
Wednesday Morning SW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 10-20
Tuesday Night WSW 10-20
Wednesday Morning SW 15-25
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 25-35
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 5-15
Tuesday Night WSW 10-20
Wednesday Morning WSW 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 25-35
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SW 25-35
Tuesday Night SW 25-35
Wednesday Morning SW 30-40
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 35-50

Issued: 2:11 PM PST Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

By Thursday evening and night a warm front continues lifting north. Temperatures bump up a notch or two on Friday, especially on the west side of the crest with the SW flow. With a low pressure now situated off the coast, we'll see light upslope snowfall for the east slopes of the Cascades. Easterly flow will continue to bring mostly snow to the passes, though as warmer and warmer air over rides the cold air we may see snow switch over to freezing rain for a wide range of areas on the west side of the crest and Snoqualmie Pass during the day. Active weather continues, and disturbances may continue to roll through in S to SW flow.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night* Friday * Friday Night* Saturday *
West North 1000' 4500' 5500' 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass 1000' 3000' 4000' 4000'
Mt. Hood 3000' 4000' 4000' 3500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night* 1000'
Friday * 4500'
Friday Night* 5500'
Saturday * 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night* 1000'
Friday * 3000'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday * 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night* 3000'
Friday * 4000'
Friday Night* 4000'
Saturday * 3500'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 16, 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’.