Issued: 2:10 PM PST Monday, February 26, 2024
by Matt Primomo

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

Weather Synopsis

The trough responsible for 1-3ft of new snow begins to slide further east overnight. A weak disturbance ripples through on shifting NW flow this evening and tonight. This should bring renewed snowfall in the form of showers and convergence zones. With cold temperatures in place, it won't take much moisture to squeeze out more low density snow. The focus for these should be the Mtn Loop south to Hood. The heaviest convergence zones are likely to waver between Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes with spillover well onto the eastern slopes. Later in the night these slowly wind down but may continue for Hood. We'll see a general drying trend that'll lead to a cold morning.

Tuesday morning we'll enjoy a relatively calm period before the next storm, as a low pressure center slides south from the Gulf of Alaska. Expect increasing ridgeline winds that shift back to WSW as a warm front noses in. By afternoon clouds and snowfall should begin to increase. First we'll see snowfall at Mt Hood and the West Slopes, and by sundown it should begin spreading to most of the region once again.

A strong front associated with a weak atmospheric river impacts all our mountain zones overnight, bringing a burst of moderate to heavy snowfall. Temperatures will nudge upwards with the first round of precipitation, though light east flow through the passes is likely to keep temperatures plenty cold enough for snow.

On Wednesday, temperatures will continue their upward trend as the firehose appears to tilt more SW'ly. Moderate to heavy snow with strong SW winds should continue through the day in the mountains. The heaviest precipitation during the day is expected for the northwest quarter of the region as the front stalls out a bit.

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 Partly cloudy with a chance of very light snow showers.
Tuesday Increasing high clouds leading to light snow showers by later in the afternoon.
Monday Night Partly cloudy skies and cold. A chance for very light snow showers early, then tapering later.
Tuesday Increasing high clouds with snow showers by mid afternoon.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy skies and cold with moderate snowfall under convergence banding. Snow tapering later and skies becoming broken.
Tuesday Increasing high clouds with light snow by mid day.
Monday Night Light to moderate snow showers and breezy. Snowfall becoming light and intermittent, eventually tapering. Ridgeline winds ramp down later.
Tuesday Increasing clouds with light to moderate snowfall by mid day.
Monday Night Light to moderate snow showers, heaviest under convergence zones. Snowfall becomes intermittent and tapers later. Moderate ridgeline winds, becoming light.
Tuesday Increasingly cloudy with light snowfall beginning by late afternoon.
Monday Night Light to moderate snow showers, heaviest under convergence zones. Snowfall becomes intermittent and tapers later. Moderate ridgeline winds, becoming lighter.
Tuesday Increasingly cloudy with light snowfall beginning by mid afternoon.
Monday Night Partly cloudy and cold with a stray snow shower or two. Clear skies further east.
Tuesday Partly cloudy, becoming overcast with high clouds later.
Monday Night Partly cloudy and cold with light snow showers in convergence spillover, tapering later. Clear skies further east.
Tuesday Partly cloudy, becoming filtered sunshine and overcast with high clouds later.
Monday Night Partly cloudy and cold with light snow showers in convergence spillover, tapering later.
Tuesday Filtered sunshine, becoming overcast later with light snowfall by late afternoon.
Monday Night Moderate snow showers with strong and gusty winds, tapering to moderate winds and lighter snow showers by morning.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy, becoming cloudy with decreased visibility and snowfall picking up by mid morning.

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Monday, February 26, 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 LT 0.10 0.25 0.75 -1.00
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.10 LT 0.25 1.00 2.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.25 1.00 - 1.50 1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass 0.25 LT 0.25 1.00 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 LT 0.25 1.00 0.75 -1.00
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0.25 0.75
Paradise LT 0.25 0.25 0.75 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass LT 0.25 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.50
Washington Pass LT 0.10 0 0.25 - 0.50 0.75
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.25 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.25 LT 0.25 0.75 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 0.50 0.25 1.00 - 1.50 0.50
Timberline 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.75 -1.00
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night 1.00
Wednesday 2.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday 1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night 1.00
Wednesday 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night 1.00
Wednesday 0.75 -1.00
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.75
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0.25
Tuesday Night 0.75
Wednesday 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0.25
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday 0.75
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night 0.75
Wednesday 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.50
Tuesday 0.25
Tuesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday 0.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.50
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday 0.50

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Monday, February 26, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

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

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Monday, February 26, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 20 / 10 25 / 12
Olympics 18 / 14 25 / 13
West North 18 / 10 22 / 6
West Central 18 / 10 23 / 10
West South 20 / 11 25 / 12
Stevens Pass 16 / 11 24 / 11
Snoqualmie Pass 17 / 12 25 / 12
East North 12 / 4 22 / 5
East Central 15 / 10 25 / 10
Mt. Hood 19 / 14 27 / 19
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 20 / 10
Tuesday 25 / 12
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 18 / 14
Tuesday 25 / 13
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 18 / 10
Tuesday 22 / 6
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 18 / 10
Tuesday 23 / 10
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 20 / 11
Tuesday 25 / 12
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 16 / 11
Tuesday 24 / 11
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 17 / 12
Tuesday 25 / 12
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 12 / 4
Tuesday 22 / 5
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 15 / 10
Tuesday 25 / 10
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 19 / 14
Tuesday 27 / 19

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Monday, February 26, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics W 10-20 W 10-20 WSW 10-20 SW 15-25
West North WNW 10-20 W 5-15 W 0-10 SW 15-25
West Central WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20 W 5-15 WSW 10-20
West South W 15-25 WNW 20-30 W 15-25 WSW 5-15
Stevens Pass WNW 10-20 WNW 15-25 W 10-20 WSW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass WNW 15-25 WNW 15-25 W 15-25 WSW 15-25
East North WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20 NW 5-15 WSW 5-15
East Central WNW 15-25 WNW 20-30 WNW 15-25 WSW 15-25
East South WNW 15-25 WNW 20-30 WNW 15-25 WSW 10-20
Mt. Hood W 25-35 WNW 30-40 W 20-30 W 25-35
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 10-20
Monday Night W 10-20
Tuesday Morning WSW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 15-25
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 10-20
Monday Night W 5-15
Tuesday Morning W 0-10
Tuesday Afternoon SW 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 10-20
Monday Night WNW 10-20
Tuesday Morning W 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 10-20
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 15-25
Monday Night WNW 20-30
Tuesday Morning W 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 5-15
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 10-20
Monday Night WNW 15-25
Tuesday Morning W 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 15-25
Monday Night WNW 15-25
Tuesday Morning W 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 15-25
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 10-20
Monday Night WNW 10-20
Tuesday Morning NW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 15-25
Monday Night WNW 20-30
Tuesday Morning WNW 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 15-25
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 15-25
Monday Night WNW 20-30
Tuesday Morning WNW 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 25-35
Monday Night WNW 30-40
Tuesday Morning W 20-30
Tuesday Afternoon W 25-35

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Monday, February 26, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

Overnight on Wednesday the trailing cold front should push through, bringing cooling temperatures and another round of heavy snow. Ridgeline winds shift from SW to WNW as this happens. With the cold air now in place, any residual moisture should bring snowfall enhancement through convergence banding and orographic lifting thats likely to focus on the passes, western slopes, and volcanoes. 

Snowfal should become more showery on Thursday behind the cold front. The trough guiding this stormy weather appears to sit with us through at least Friday. Expect continued unsettled snowy weather through the rest of the week.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night Thursday Thursday Night Friday
West North 2500' 1500' 1000' 500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 2000' 1000' 1000'
Mt. Hood 4000' 2500' 1500' 1500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday 1500'
Thursday Night 1000'
Friday 500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday 2000'
Thursday Night 1000'
Friday 1000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night 4000'
Thursday 2500'
Thursday Night 1500'
Friday 1500'

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

Previous forecast from Feb 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’.