Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, February 20, 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

A quasi-stationary low pressure system off the coast of Oregon will drift northward through Wednesday, rotating showers over the area over the next day and a half. Showers will come in waves with a bit of a lull tonight and then increasing again on Wednesday. The southwest Cascades will pick up the most precipitation through tomorrow afternoon with the highest water numbers likely for the southern slopes of Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens. A brief period of S-SE winds later tonight through Wednesday morning will spread shower activity further along the east slopes of the Cascades before the flow becomes more SW-erly Wednesday afternoon. We'll see rain at lower elevation trailheads and Passes with the snow level around 4000-4500' for most areas through Wednesday.

Upper level ridging will build over the area late Wednesday night and Thursday. We may see a few stray showers over the Olympic peninsula and northwest Cascades but overall, a drying trend will take hold. Winds will be fairly light out of the W-SW and freezing levels will rise to 4500-5500' in the afternoon. 

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 Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Showers heaviest southern slopes of the Olympics. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Showers heaviest southern slopes of the Olympics. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, then cloudy with showers increasing in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Heaviest showers near the volcanoes. Ridgeline winds increasing and becoming moderate after midnight.
Wednesday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Heaviest showers near the volcanoes. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Light E winds at Pass level. SE winds at ridgeline increasing after midnight.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, then showers increasing in the afternoon. Variable and light winds at Pass level. Light to moderate SE winds at ridgeline becoming SW late in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Light E winds at Pass level. SE winds at ridgeline increasing after midnight.
Wednesday Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning, then showers increasing in the afternoon. Variable and light winds at Pass level. Light to moderate SE winds at ridgeline becoming SW late in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Cloudy with light rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light showers in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Ridgeline winds increasing and becoming moderate after midnight.
Wednesday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light showers in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Ridgeline winds increasing and becoming moderate after midnight.
Wednesday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light showers in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds increasing to moderate in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds increasing overnight.
Wednesday Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, February 20, 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 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 0
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Paradise 0.25 0.50 0.25 0
White Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0
Washington Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 0
Timberline 0.25 0.50 0.25 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics 5000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3500' 4500'
West North 4500' 5000' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500' 4500'
West Central 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500' 4500'
West South 4500' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3500' 5000'
Stevens Pass 4500' 4000' 3500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' 4500' 3500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500' 4500'
East North 4500' 4000' 3500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500' 5000'
East Central 4500' 4000' 3500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500' 4500'
East South 4500' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4000' 3500' 3500' 5000'
Mt. Hood 6500' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 4500' 5500'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 5000'
Tuesday Night* 5000'
Wednesday Morning* 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 5000'
Wednesday Morning* 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 4500'
Wednesday Morning* 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 4000'
Wednesday Morning* 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 4000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 5000'
Tuesday Night* 4500'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 4000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 4000'
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 4500'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 4500'
Tuesday Night* 4000'
Wednesday Morning* 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 3500'
Thursday Morning 3500'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 6500'
Tuesday Night* 5000'
Wednesday Morning* 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4500'
Wednesday Evening 4000'
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday Morning 4500'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, February 20, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 32 / 28 34 / 28
West North 32 / 27 34 / 27
West Central 32 / 25 34 / 27
West South 33 / 28 33 / 29
Stevens Pass 32 / 26 35 / 28
Snoqualmie Pass 32 / 26 33 / 28
East North 31 / 24 33 / 25
East Central 32 / 28 33 / 29
East South 32 / 28 34 / 28
Mt. Hood 36 / 31 32 / 30
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 28
Wednesday 34 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 27
Wednesday 34 / 27
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 25
Wednesday 34 / 27
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 33 / 28
Wednesday 33 / 29
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 26
Wednesday 35 / 28
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 26
Wednesday 33 / 28
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 31 / 24
Wednesday 33 / 25
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 28
Wednesday 33 / 29
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 28
Wednesday 34 / 28
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 36 / 31
Wednesday 32 / 30

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

Dry, mild and mostly sunny weather will make for a pleasant end to the work week.  Upper level ridging will begin to flatten on Friday and further Friday night, allowing clouds and perhaps some light precipitation to reach the northern half of the forecast area during the day on Saturday.  It's looking increasingly likely a pattern change is on the horizon, with a frontal system slamming into the area on Sunday, and a potentially strong system on its heels early next week. Snow levels may start out above some lower traileheads and Passes, but we'll eventually enter the cold and snowy pattern. How long this lasts is still up in the air...but finally, we have some real winter weather to focus on. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night Friday Friday Night Saturday
West North 4500' 5000' 4000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 4500' 6000' 4500' 4000'
Mt. Hood 6500' 7500' 7000' 6500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday 5000'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday 6000'
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night 6500'
Friday 7500'
Friday Night 7000'
Saturday 6500'

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

Previous forecast from Feb 20, 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’.