Issued: 2:57 PM PST Friday, January 26, 2024
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

3pm Update: Slightly adjusted Mt Hood snow levels overnight.

The first wave of moisture in a multi-day atmospheric river event is bottled up near and south of the Columbia River Gorge this afternoon. That will begin to change tonight as an upper level ridge of high pressure over the inland NW begins to flatten allowing moisture begins to stream inland/northward. We'll see a period of moderate precipitation with rising snow levels tonight with the heaviest totals once again most likely for the Mt Hood region and perhaps the Mt St Helens area.  Snow levels will rise to 6500-7500' tonight except along the east slopes of the Cascades near and north of Hwy2. As warm air pushes in aloft, there may be a transitory period of freezing rain this evening for Snoqualmie and White Passes, after midnight for Stevens Pass, late tonight and early Saturday morning along the Hwy2 corridor east of Stevens Pass including Tumwater Canyon. Even though we'll likely see some freezing rain tonight, this does not look like a significant icing event. 

The first wave of moisture should ease off Saturday morning with another one on its heels for Saturday. Precipitation should be relatively lighter during the day on Saturday. A stronger and wetter pulse of moisture will arrive Saturday night, likely delivering the heaviest precipitation period of the weekend. The eastern mountains north of Lake Chelan will likely see their snow levels rise into the mid-upper elevation range towards the end of the moderate precipitation early Sunday morning.  

The upper level ridge re-establishes itself over the inland NW on Sunday, shunting the heavier precipitation north and into British Columbia. Light rain will likely linger over the Olympics and northwest Cascades into the afternoon, with drier conditions found further east and south. 

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
Friday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heavier southwest slopes of the Olymipcs. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heavier southwest slopes of the Olymipcs. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Light to moderate rain and snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Light to moderate rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow.Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Light to moderate rain and snow, heaviest Paradise area and St Helens. Chance of freezing rain White Pass area this evening. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heaviest Paradise area and St Helens. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Light to moderate rain and snow. Chance of freezing rain after midnight. Light E Pass winds. Light to moderate SE ridgeline winds becoming W late.
Saturday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Light to moderate SE ridgeline winds becoming W in the afternoon.
Friday Night Light to moderate rain and snow. Chance of freezing rain in the evening. Light E Pass winds. Light to moderate SE ridgeline winds becoming W late.
Saturday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Light E Pass winds. Light to moderate SE ridgeline winds becoming W in the afternoon.
Friday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Light rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Chance of freezing rain after late tonight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Chance of freezing rain early morning. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Chance of freezing rain late this evening. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow.Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Moderate to heavy rain and high-elevation snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Moderate to heavy rain and high-elevation snow in the morning, then becoming lighter in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.

Precipitation (in)

Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 0.25 0.50 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.50
Stevens Pass 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0.75 0.50 0.75 -1.00 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 LT 0.25
Paradise 1.00 0.75 1.00 - 1.50 0.25
White Pass 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 0.50 LT 0.25
Washington Pass 0.25 LT 0.25 0.50 0.25
Mission Ridge 0.25 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.50 LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 1.50 0.75 -1.00 0.75 LT 0.10
Timberline 1.50 1.00 0.75 LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.50
Sunday 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.50
Saturday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Sunday 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.50
Saturday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Sunday 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night 0.75
Sunday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.75
Saturday 0.50
Saturday Night 0.75 -1.00
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night 0.50
Sunday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 1.00
Saturday 0.75
Saturday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Sunday 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.50
Saturday Night 0.50
Sunday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.50
Sunday 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.50
Sunday LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 1.50
Saturday 0.75 -1.00
Saturday Night 0.75
Sunday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 1.50
Saturday 1.00
Saturday Night 0.75
Sunday LT 0.25

Snow Level (ft)

Friday Evening* Friday Night* Saturday Morning* Saturday Afternoon* Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics 7000' 7000' 7500' 7500' 8000' 7500' 6500' 8000'
West North 5000' 6000' 7000' 7000' 7500' 7000' 7000' 7500'
West Central 5000' 5500' 7000' 7000' 7500' 7500' 7000' 8000'
West South 6500' 7500' 7500' 7500' 8000' 7500' 7500' 8000'
Stevens Pass 3500' 6000' 6500' 6000' 7500' 7500' 7000' 8000'
Snoqualmie Pass 6500' 7000' 7500' 7500' 7500' 7500' 7000' 8000'
East North 3000' 3000' 3500' 4500' 4000' 5000' 6000' 7000'
East Central 3000' 5500' 5500' 5000' 7000' 7500' 7000' 8000'
East South 4000' 6500' 7000' 7000' 7000' 7500' 7500' 8000'
Mt. Hood 8000' 8000' 8000' 7500' 8000' 8000' 8000' 8500'
Olympics Elevation
Friday Evening* 7000'
Friday Night* 7000'
Saturday Morning* 7500'
Saturday Afternoon* 7500'
Saturday Evening 8000'
Saturday Night 7500'
Sunday Morning 6500'
Sunday Afternoon 8000'
West North Elevation
Friday Evening* 5000'
Friday Night* 6000'
Saturday Morning* 7000'
Saturday Afternoon* 7000'
Saturday Evening 7500'
Saturday Night 7000'
Sunday Morning 7000'
Sunday Afternoon 7500'
West Central Elevation
Friday Evening* 5000'
Friday Night* 5500'
Saturday Morning* 7000'
Saturday Afternoon* 7000'
Saturday Evening 7500'
Saturday Night 7500'
Sunday Morning 7000'
Sunday Afternoon 8000'
West South Elevation
Friday Evening* 6500'
Friday Night* 7500'
Saturday Morning* 7500'
Saturday Afternoon* 7500'
Saturday Evening 8000'
Saturday Night 7500'
Sunday Morning 7500'
Sunday Afternoon 8000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening* 3500'
Friday Night* 6000'
Saturday Morning* 6500'
Saturday Afternoon* 6000'
Saturday Evening 7500'
Saturday Night 7500'
Sunday Morning 7000'
Sunday Afternoon 8000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening* 6500'
Friday Night* 7000'
Saturday Morning* 7500'
Saturday Afternoon* 7500'
Saturday Evening 7500'
Saturday Night 7500'
Sunday Morning 7000'
Sunday Afternoon 8000'
East North Elevation
Friday Evening* 3000'
Friday Night* 3000'
Saturday Morning* 3500'
Saturday Afternoon* 4500'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 5000'
Sunday Morning 6000'
Sunday Afternoon 7000'
East Central Elevation
Friday Evening* 3000'
Friday Night* 5500'
Saturday Morning* 5500'
Saturday Afternoon* 5000'
Saturday Evening 7000'
Saturday Night 7500'
Sunday Morning 7000'
Sunday Afternoon 8000'
East South Elevation
Friday Evening* 4000'
Friday Night* 6500'
Saturday Morning* 7000'
Saturday Afternoon* 7000'
Saturday Evening 7000'
Saturday Night 7500'
Sunday Morning 7500'
Sunday Afternoon 8000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening* 8000'
Friday Night* 8000'
Saturday Morning* 8000'
Saturday Afternoon* 7500'
Saturday Evening 8000'
Saturday Night 8000'
Sunday Morning 8000'
Sunday Afternoon 8500'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Friday Night Saturday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 39 / 35 40 / 39
West North 36 / 34 40 / 37
West Central 38 / 32 38 / 36
West South 38 / 35 40 / 38
Stevens Pass 37 / 28 37 / 35
Snoqualmie Pass 37 / 30 37 / 36
East North 31 / 26 34 / 30
East Central 35 / 28 37 / 33
East South 37 / 32 40 / 37
Mt. Hood 41 / 37 43 / 40
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 39 / 35
Saturday 40 / 39
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 36 / 34
Saturday 40 / 37
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 38 / 32
Saturday 38 / 36
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 38 / 35
Saturday 40 / 38
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 37 / 28
Saturday 37 / 35
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 37 / 30
Saturday 37 / 36
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 31 / 26
Saturday 34 / 30
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 35 / 28
Saturday 37 / 33
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 37 / 32
Saturday 40 / 37
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 41 / 37
Saturday 43 / 40

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Friday Evening Friday Night Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon
Olympics SSW 20-30 SW 10-20 S 10-20 SW 20-30
West North S 20-30 SSW 10-20 S 5-15 S 15-25
West Central SSE 10-20 SSW 10-20 S 10-20 SSW 15-25
West South SSW 20-30 WSW 15-25 SSE 15-25 SW 20-30
Stevens Pass SSE 10-20 SW 10-20 SSE 5-15 SSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass SSE 10-20 WSW 15-25 SSE 10-20 SSW 15-25
East North S 10-20 SW 10-20 S 5-15 SSW 10-20
East Central SSW 15-25 WSW 15-25 S 10-20 SSW 15-25
East South SSW 10-20 WSW 15-25 S 10-20 SSW 15-25
Mt. Hood SW 25-35 WSW 20-30 SSW 15-25 SW 25-35
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSW 20-30
Friday Night SW 10-20
Saturday Morning S 10-20
Saturday Afternoon SW 20-30
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening S 20-30
Friday Night SSW 10-20
Saturday Morning S 5-15
Saturday Afternoon S 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSE 10-20
Friday Night SSW 10-20
Saturday Morning S 10-20
Saturday Afternoon SSW 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSW 20-30
Friday Night WSW 15-25
Saturday Morning SSE 15-25
Saturday Afternoon SW 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSE 10-20
Friday Night SW 10-20
Saturday Morning SSE 5-15
Saturday Afternoon SSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSE 10-20
Friday Night WSW 15-25
Saturday Morning SSE 10-20
Saturday Afternoon SSW 15-25
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening S 10-20
Friday Night SW 10-20
Saturday Morning S 5-15
Saturday Afternoon SSW 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSW 15-25
Friday Night WSW 15-25
Saturday Morning S 10-20
Saturday Afternoon SSW 15-25
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSW 10-20
Friday Night WSW 15-25
Saturday Morning S 10-20
Saturday Afternoon SSW 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SW 25-35
Friday Night WSW 20-30
Saturday Morning SSW 15-25
Saturday Afternoon SW 25-35

Extended Weather Synopsis

We'll be in a mild pattern with high snow levels (7000-9000') for another few days. There are open questions regarding how much precipitation we'll see early in the week, particularly for the Olympics and northwest Cascades, before the frontal boundary finally pushes through sometime in the middle of the week. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
West North 8000' 8000' 7500' 7500'
Snoqualmie Pass 8500' 8000' 8000' 8000'
Mt. Hood 8500' 8500' 8500' 8500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Night 8000'
Monday 8000'
Monday Night 7500'
Tuesday 7500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night 8500'
Monday 8000'
Monday Night 8000'
Tuesday 8000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night 8500'
Monday 8500'
Monday Night 8500'
Tuesday 8500'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 26, 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’.