Issued: 2:07 PM PST Monday, January 29, 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 atmospheric river just off the Pacific Northwest coastline on Monday gets kicked eastward by a shortwave feature. The remnants of the atmospheric river will bring some moderate rain and high-elevation snow to the Olympics and Mt Baker areas Monday evening, with lighter rainfall extending to other portions of Washington State overnight. Moderate to strong SSW winds will be particularly impactful for the Olympics, Mt Baker area, and to a lesser extent other mountainous regions in northern Washington State. The front will drop snow levels by around 3000 ft across the region.

A secondary subtle shortwave feature brings some generally decreasing light rain showers to the region on Tuesday, amidst mostly cloudy skies. Snow levels hold steady around 7000-7500 ft.

A frontal system out ahead of a deep offshore low-pressure center brings the final significant precipitation event of our extended warm period. Generally moderate rainfall peaks on Wednesday. Moderate to strong E flow will focus upslope enhancement on the E slopes of the Cascades, while S winds aloft favor the volcanoes. Areas of the E slopes and the volcanoes can expect 0.5-1" of rainfall with lesser amounts for the passes and other areas of the west slopes.

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 Moderate rain. Strong ridgeline winds in the evening decrease into the moderate range.
Tuesday Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of sprinkles.
Monday Night Moderate to heavy rain. Strong ridgeline winds in the evening decrease into the moderate range by morning.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with decreasing light showers.
Monday Night Cloudy with periods of mostly light rain. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with decreasing light showers.
Monday Night Cloudy with periods of mostly light rain. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Decreasing light showers primarily for the volcanoes.
Monday Night Cloudy in the evening with periods of light rain overnight. Light to moderate ridgeline and decreasing E wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with decreasing light showers. Light ridgeline and increasing E wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Cloudy in the evening with periods of light rain overnight. Moderate ridgeline and decreasing E wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with decreasing chances for very light showers. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Cloudy in the evening with periods of light rain overnight. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with decreasing chances for very light showers. Moderate ridgeline winds become light.
Monday Night Cloudy in the evening with periods of light rain overnight. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with decreasing chances for very light showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Cloudy in the evening with a slight chance of light rain overnight. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with decreasing chances for very light showers.
Monday Night Cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy with decreasing chances for light showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Monday, January 29, 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 0.25 - 0.50 0 0.25 0.50 - 0.75
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.75 -1.00 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.75 -1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.50
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.75
White Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge 0 LT 0.10 0 1.00
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.75
Mt Hood Meadows 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.50 - 0.75
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.75 -1.00
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0.75 -1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0.75
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 1.00
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0.75
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Monday, January 29, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening* Monday Night* Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon* Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon*
Olympics 7500' 7000' 7000' 7000' 7000' 8000' 7500' 6500'
West North 8500' 7000' 6500' 7000' 7000' 8000' 7500' 7000'
West Central 9000' 7500' 7000' 7000' 7000' 8000' 7500' 7000'
West South 10000' 8000' 7500' 7000' 7000' 8500' 7500' 7000'
Stevens Pass 10000' 7500' 7000' 7000' 6500' 7000' 6500' 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass 10000' 7500' 7500' 7000' 7000' 8000' 6500' 5500'
East North 10000' 7500' 7000' 7000' 5500' 5000' 5500' 5000'
East Central 10500' 8000' 7500' 7000' 6500' 7000' 6500' 5500'
East South 10500' 8500' 7500' 7000' 7000' 8000' 6500' 5500'
Mt. Hood 11000' 9500' 8000' 7500' 8000' 9000' 8000' 7000'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening* 7500'
Monday Night* 7000'
Tuesday Morning* 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7000'
Tuesday Evening* 7000'
Tuesday Night* 8000'
Wednesday Morning* 7500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 6500'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening* 8500'
Monday Night* 7000'
Tuesday Morning* 6500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7000'
Tuesday Evening* 7000'
Tuesday Night* 8000'
Wednesday Morning* 7500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 7000'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 9000'
Monday Night* 7500'
Tuesday Morning* 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7000'
Tuesday Evening* 7000'
Tuesday Night* 8000'
Wednesday Morning* 7500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 7000'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening* 10000'
Monday Night* 8000'
Tuesday Morning* 7500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7000'
Tuesday Evening* 7000'
Tuesday Night* 8500'
Wednesday Morning* 7500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 7000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 10000'
Monday Night* 7500'
Tuesday Morning* 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7000'
Tuesday Evening* 6500'
Tuesday Night* 7000'
Wednesday Morning* 6500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening* 10000'
Monday Night* 7500'
Tuesday Morning* 7500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7000'
Tuesday Evening* 7000'
Tuesday Night* 8000'
Wednesday Morning* 6500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 5500'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening* 10000'
Monday Night* 7500'
Tuesday Morning* 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7000'
Tuesday Evening* 5500'
Tuesday Night* 5000'
Wednesday Morning* 5500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 5000'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening* 10500'
Monday Night* 8000'
Tuesday Morning* 7500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7000'
Tuesday Evening* 6500'
Tuesday Night* 7000'
Wednesday Morning* 6500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 5500'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening* 10500'
Monday Night* 8500'
Tuesday Morning* 7500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7000'
Tuesday Evening* 7000'
Tuesday Night* 8000'
Wednesday Morning* 6500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 5500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening* 11000'
Monday Night* 9500'
Tuesday Morning* 8000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 7500'
Tuesday Evening* 8000'
Tuesday Night* 9000'
Wednesday Morning* 8000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 7000'

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Monday, January 29, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 39 / 38 38 / 37
West North 44 / 38 39 / 37
West Central 41 / 38 39 / 37
West South 43 / 39 41 / 38
Stevens Pass 39 / 38 41 / 37
Snoqualmie Pass 40 / 38 38 / 37
East North 38 / 36 40 / 36
East Central 39 / 38 40 / 37
East South 42 / 39 41 / 38
Mt. Hood 44 / 39 43 / 38
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 39 / 38
Tuesday 38 / 37
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 44 / 38
Tuesday 39 / 37
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 41 / 38
Tuesday 39 / 37
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 43 / 39
Tuesday 41 / 38
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 39 / 38
Tuesday 41 / 37
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 40 / 38
Tuesday 38 / 37
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 38 / 36
Tuesday 40 / 36
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 39 / 38
Tuesday 40 / 37
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 39
Tuesday 41 / 38
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 44 / 39
Tuesday 43 / 38

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Monday, January 29, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:07 PM PST Monday, January 29, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

The colder upper low drifts toward the Pacific Northwest coastline Wednesday night through Friday. Expect decreasing generally light snow showers to arrive on S flow. By Thursday, snow levels generally drop from 5000 to 4000 ft. By Friday, snow levels drop from 3500 to 3000 ft; much more in line with seasonal norms.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night* Thursday * Thursday Night* Friday *
West North 6000' 4500' 4000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 5500' 4500' 4000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 6000' 5000' 4000' 3000'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night* 6000'
Thursday * 4500'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday * 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night* 5500'
Thursday * 4500'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday * 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night* 6000'
Thursday * 5000'
Thursday Night* 4000'
Friday * 3000'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 29, 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’.