Issued: 2:02 PM PST Monday, January 22, 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 moisture feed brought in by an offshore trough the last few days peaked on Monday and should gradually begin to decrease as the trough shifts east toward the area. However, the surface low that passed through the central Cascades mid-day on Monday should continue to bring decreasing moderate rain and snow focused on the west slopes of the central and northern Washington Cascades Monday night. A subtle surface front rotating into the region on SW flow will instigate light to moderate rain and snow shower activity, filling in the precipitation gap. E flow is likely to continue at low levels through the mountain gaps, but don't be surprised to find a westerly wind shift above the passes. Snow levels continue to rise along the east slopes of the Cascades.

The trough shifts to the coast early Tuesday and progresses across the Cascades by mid-morning with light to occasionally moderate showers continuing. A subtle ridge should decrease the shower activity in the afternoon. Sun breaks become increasingly likely in the afternoon with partly cloudy skies east of the Cascades and around Mt Hood. Snow levels should be in the 3500-4500 ft range on both sides of the Cascades.

Expect a brief break in the moisture Tuesday night with subtle cooling temperatures as the subtle ridge slides eastward. High and mid-level clouds increase ahead of an approaching front. The front reaches the coast early Wednesday and crosses the Cascades in the mid-day hours with light to moderate rain and snow transitioning to showers later in the day. Snow levels should be slightly lower in the 3000-4000 ft range.

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
Monday Night Cloudy with decreasing light rain and snow showers. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy in the morning with a chance of light rain or snow showers. Increasing sun breaks in the afternoon. Light ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Cloudy with moderate rain and snow showers early, becoming light. Light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with light rain or snow showers. Light ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Cloudy with moderate rain and snow showers early, becoming light. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with light to moderate rain or snow showers. Light ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Cloudy with periods of moderate rain and snow (Paradise) and light rain and snow (White Pass). Mostly light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Cloudy with periods of moderate rain and snow (Paradise) and light rain and snow (White Pass). Mostly light ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Mostly light ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Mostly light ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Mostly light ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Mostly light ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Cloudy with decreasing light rain or snow showers. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with light rain or snow showers (mainly western part). Light ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Cloudy with light rain or snow showers. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with light rain or snow showers (mainly western part). Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Cloudy with light rain or snow showers. Decreasing mostly light ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with light rain or snow showers (mainly western part). Mostly light ridgeline winds, moderate gusts.
Monday Night Cloudy with moderate rain and snow showers. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Cloudy with moderate rain and snow showers. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Monday, January 22, 2024

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Monday, January 22, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening* Monday Night* Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon*
Olympics 5000' 5000' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3500' 4500'
West North 4500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500'
West Central 4500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3000' 3500'
West South 5000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500' 4000'
Stevens Pass 4000' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4000' 3000' 2500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 4000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 3000' 2500' 3000'
East North 3500' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4000' 3000' 2500' 2500'
East Central 4000' 4500' 4000' 4500' 4000' 3000' 2500' 3000'
East South 5000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 3000' 3000' 4000'
Mt. Hood 5500' 5500' 5000' 4500' 5000' 4000' 4000' 4500'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening* 5000'
Monday Night* 5000'
Tuesday Morning* 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4000'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening* 4500'
Monday Night* 4500'
Tuesday Morning* 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4000'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 4500'
Monday Night* 4500'
Tuesday Morning* 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4000'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening* 5000'
Monday Night* 4500'
Tuesday Morning* 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4000'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 4000'
Monday Night* 4000'
Tuesday Morning* 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 4000'
Monday Night* 4500'
Tuesday Morning* 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening* 3500'
Monday Night* 4000'
Tuesday Morning* 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2500'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 4000'
Monday Night* 4500'
Tuesday Morning* 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening* 5000'
Monday Night* 5000'
Tuesday Morning* 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Tuesday Evening 4500'
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening* 5500'
Monday Night* 5500'
Tuesday Morning* 5000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Tuesday Evening 5000'
Tuesday Night* 4000'
Wednesday Morning* 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Monday, January 22, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 33 / 32 32 / 28
West North 32 / 30 33 / 30
West Central 33 / 31 32 / 29
West South 33 / 31 32 / 30
Stevens Pass 33 / 31 33 / 30
Snoqualmie Pass 33 / 30 32 / 29
East North 30 / 28 34 / 29
East Central 33 / 31 33 / 30
East South 33 / 31 33 / 30
Mt. Hood 34 / 32 33 / 31
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 32
Tuesday 32 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 32 / 30
Tuesday 33 / 30
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 31
Tuesday 32 / 29
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 31
Tuesday 32 / 30
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 31
Tuesday 33 / 30
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 30
Tuesday 32 / 29
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 28
Tuesday 34 / 29
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 31
Tuesday 33 / 30
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 31
Tuesday 33 / 30
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 34 / 32
Tuesday 33 / 31

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Monday, January 22, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:02 PM PST Monday, January 22, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

Shower activity continues with an upper trough over the region Wednesday night and Thursday with snow levels 2500-3500 ft. Light precipitation may continue at times as a ridge axis approaches the west coast Thursday night. Moisture could over-run the ridge by late Friday as the threat of atmospheric river events begins going into the weekend.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night* Thursday * Thursday Night* Friday *
West North 3500' 3000' 2500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 4500' 3500' 4000' 5000'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night* 3500'
Thursday * 3000'
Thursday Night* 2500'
Friday * 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night* 3000'
Thursday * 3000'
Thursday Night* 3000'
Friday * 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night* 4500'
Thursday * 3500'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday * 5000'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 22, 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’.