We're in for a wet and wild next 36 hours as a potent winter storm takes aim at the Pacific Northwest. This system has it all: moderate to heavy precipitation, warming temperatures, and very strong and gusty winds. Expect stormy conditions with periods of heavy rain/snow and low visibility.
The first bands of precipitation out ahead of the warm front are just starting to make their way across the Puget Sound this afternoon. Nearly all mountain weather stations already show a slow but steady rise in temperatures. Rain and snow will increase across the Olympics and west slopes of the Cascades Tuesday night. As temperatures continue to warm, the snow-rain line should quickly jump above Snoqualmie Pass during the evening hours. Strong westerly winds will help push showers east of the Crest, but it won't be until Wednesday that the bulk of the moisture ventures over the mountains.
The storm continues to intensify Wednesday morning as the jet stream passes overhead and the upper air flow turns more southwesterly. This setup draws a deep moisture tap from out in the Pacific Ocean and develops an atmospheric river. Warmer air continues to push into the region and finally makes its way east of the Cascades. Stevens and White Passes should see rain at road level around lunchtime. Very strong to extreme winds accompany moderate to heavy precipitation throughout the day.
The frontal feature deepens southward Wednesday night as the storm continues to rage. This focuses a bit more of the precipitation on the southern volcanoes. As the storm moves into Oregon, colder air floods into the area, and snow levels quickly fall. Expect snow below all pass levels before sunrise. As the bulk of the storm exists Thursday, post-frontal showers and an unstable atmosphere should help wring out additional snow, mainly along the west slopes of the Cascades.
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
Stormy conditions developing with periods of moderate precipitation and strong and gusty SW winds. Warming.
Wednesday
Stormy with periods of moderate to heavy precipitation. Storng and gusty SW winds.
Tuesday
Night
Stormy conditions developing overnight. Periods of heavy precipitation with warming. Moderate to strong and gusty SW winds.
Wednesday
Storm with continued warming. Periods of heavy precipitation. Very strong and gusty SSW winds.
Tuesday
Night
Stormy conditions developing overnight. Periods of heavy precipitation with warming. SW winds becoming strong and gusty.
Wednesday
Storm with periods of heavy precipitation and very strong and gusty SW winds.
Tuesday
Night
Stormy conditions developing overnight. Periods of moderate to heavy precipitation, particularly near the volcanoes. SW winds becoming strong and gusty, especially near the Cascade crest. Warming.
Wednesday
Stormy with periods of heavy precipitation and very strong and gusty SW winds.
Tuesday
Night
Stormy conditions developing with warming temperatures. Periods of moderate to heavy precipitation. Moderate WSW winds becoming strong and gusty. Very light E flow at pass level, ending overnight.
Wednesday
Stormy with periods of moderate to heavy precipitation. Strong and gusty WSW winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Stormy conditions developing with warming and rain reaching above pass level. Periods of heavy precipitation. WSW winds becoming strong and gusty. Very light east flow at pass level ending overnight.
Wednesday
Stormy with periods of moderate to heavy precipitation. Strong and gusty WSW winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Cloudy with precipitation increasing toward sunrise. Moderate SW winds becoming strong and gusty.
Wednesday
Stormy with moderate to heavy precipitation and significant warming. Very strong and gusty SW winds decreasing slightly.
Tuesday
Night
Cloudy with precipitation increasing overnight, particularly near the crest. Strong and gusty WSW winds becoming very strong to extreme.
Wednesday
Stormy, particularly near the crest. Periods of moderate to heavy precipitation with warming. Very strong to extreme WSW winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Cloudy with precipitation increasing overnight, heaviest near the crest. Strong and gusty WSW winds becoming very strong to extreme.
Wednesday
Stormy particularly near the crest with periods of moderate to heavy precipitation and warming temperatures. Very strong to extreme WSW winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Stormy conditions developing in the evening with periods of heavy precipitation and warming temperatures. Strong and gusty WSW winds becoming very strong to extreme.
Wednesday
Stormy with periods of moderate to heavy precipitation and continued warming. Extreme WSW winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Tuesday, February 27, 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
0.25 - 0.50
0.50 - 0.75
0.75
LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
1.00 - 1.50
2.00
1.50
0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
1.00 - 1.50
1.50 - 2.00
1.50
0.50
Stevens Pass
1.00
0.75
0.75
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
1.00 - 1.50
0.75 -1.00
1.00
0.25
Crystal Mt
0.25
0.75
1.00
0.25
Paradise
1.50
1.00 - 1.50
1.50 - 2.00
0.50 - 0.75
White Pass
0.50 - 0.75
0.50 - 0.75
1.00
0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass
0.50
0.75
0.75
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
0.25
LT 0.25
0.25
LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
1.00
0.75
0.75
LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0.25 - 0.50
0.25 - 0.50
0.75
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
1.00 - 1.50
0.75
1.00
0.50
Timberline
1.50
0.75 -1.00
1.00
0.50 - 0.75
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday
0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday Night
0.75
Thursday
LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday
2.00
Wednesday Night
1.50
Thursday
0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday
1.50 - 2.00
Wednesday Night
1.50
Thursday
0.50
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.00
Wednesday
0.75
Wednesday Night
0.75
Thursday
0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday
0.75 -1.00
Wednesday Night
1.00
Thursday
0.25
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.25
Wednesday
0.75
Wednesday Night
1.00
Thursday
0.25
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.50
Wednesday
1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday Night
1.50 - 2.00
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday
0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday Night
1.00
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.50
Wednesday
0.75
Wednesday Night
0.75
Thursday
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.25
Wednesday
LT 0.25
Wednesday Night
0.25
Thursday
LT 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.00
Wednesday
0.75
Wednesday Night
0.75
Thursday
LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday
0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night
0.75
Thursday
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday
0.75
Wednesday Night
1.00
Thursday
0.50
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
1.50
Wednesday
0.75 -1.00
Wednesday Night
1.00
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Snow Level (ft)
Tuesday
Evening*
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
2000'
3500'
4000'
4500'
3500'
1500'
1000'
1500'
West North
500'
2000'
3000'
4000'
4000'
2000'
1000'
1500'
West Central
1500'
2500'
3500'
4000'
4000'
2000'
1500'
1500'
West South
2500'
3500'
4000'
4500'
4500'
2500'
1500'
1500'
Stevens Pass
1500'
3000'
4000'
4500'
4000'
2500'
1500'
1500'
Snoqualmie Pass
2000'
3500'
4000'
4500'
4000'
2500'
1500'
1500'
East North
500'
1500'
1500'
4000'
4000'
2500'
1500'
1000'
East Central
1500'
2000'
2500'
4500'
4000'
3000'
1500'
1500'
East South
2000'
3000'
3500'
4500'
4500'
3000'
2000'
1500'
Mt. Hood
2500'
3500'
4000'
5000'
5000'
4000'
2000'
2000'
Olympics
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
2000'
Tuesday
Night
3500'
Wednesday
Morning
4000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
4500'
Wednesday
Evening
3500'
Wednesday
Night
1500'
Thursday
Morning
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon
1500'
West North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
500'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
4000'
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
2000'
Thursday
Morning
1000'
Thursday
Afternoon
1500'
West Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
1500'
Tuesday
Night
2500'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
4000'
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
2000'
Thursday
Morning
1500'
Thursday
Afternoon
1500'
West South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
2500'
Tuesday
Night
3500'
Wednesday
Morning
4000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
4500'
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
2500'
Thursday
Morning
1500'
Thursday
Afternoon
1500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
1500'
Tuesday
Night
3000'
Wednesday
Morning
4000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
4500'
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
2500'
Thursday
Morning
1500'
Thursday
Afternoon
1500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
2000'
Tuesday
Night
3500'
Wednesday
Morning
4000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
4500'
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
2500'
Thursday
Morning
1500'
Thursday
Afternoon
1500'
East North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
500'
Tuesday
Night
1500'
Wednesday
Morning
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
4000'
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
2500'
Thursday
Morning
1500'
Thursday
Afternoon
1000'
East Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
1500'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
2500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
4500'
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning
1500'
Thursday
Afternoon
1500'
East South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
2000'
Tuesday
Night
3000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
4500'
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon
1500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening*
2500'
Tuesday
Night
3500'
Wednesday
Morning
4000'
Wednesday
Afternoon
5000'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
4000'
Thursday
Morning
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon
2000'
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Tuesday, February 27, 2024
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
30 / 25
31 / 29
West North
28 / 20
30 / 29
West Central
29 / 22
30 / 29
West South
29 / 25
33 / 30
Stevens Pass
30 / 23
31 / 30
Snoqualmie Pass
29 / 23
32 / 29
East North
28 / 19
33 / 29
East Central
29 / 22
33 / 29
East South
29 / 23
33 / 29
Mt. Hood
30 / 26
34 / 30
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
30 / 25
Wednesday
31 / 29
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 20
Wednesday
30 / 29
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
29 / 22
Wednesday
30 / 29
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
29 / 25
Wednesday
33 / 30
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
30 / 23
Wednesday
31 / 30
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
29 / 23
Wednesday
32 / 29
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 19
Wednesday
33 / 29
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
29 / 22
Wednesday
33 / 29
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
29 / 23
Wednesday
33 / 29
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
30 / 26
Wednesday
34 / 30
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon
Olympics
SW 20-30
SW 25-35
SW 25-35
SW 25-35
West North
SSW 20-30
SW 20-30
SSW 30-40
SSW 30-40
West Central
SW 20-30
SW 25-35
SW 30-40
SW 25-35
West South
SW 20-30
SW 25-35
SW 30-40
SW 25-35
Stevens Pass
WSW 15-25
WSW 20-30
WSW 25-35
WSW 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass
WSW 20-30
WSW 25-35
WSW 25-35
WSW 20-30
East North
SW 15-25
SW 20-30
SW 30-40
SW 25-35
East Central
WSW 25-35
WSW 35-50
WSW 35-50
WSW 30-40
East South
WSW 25-35
WSW 35-50
WSW 35-50
WSW 30-40
Mt. Hood
WSW 25-35
WSW 35-50
WSW 40-55
WSW 35-50
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
20-30
Tuesday
Night
SW
25-35
Wednesday
Morning
SW
25-35
Wednesday
Afternoon
SW
25-35
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SSW
20-30
Tuesday
Night
SW
20-30
Wednesday
Morning
SSW
30-40
Wednesday
Afternoon
SSW
30-40
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
20-30
Tuesday
Night
SW
25-35
Wednesday
Morning
SW
30-40
Wednesday
Afternoon
SW
25-35
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
20-30
Tuesday
Night
SW
25-35
Wednesday
Morning
SW
30-40
Wednesday
Afternoon
SW
25-35
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
WSW
15-25
Tuesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
25-35
Wednesday
Afternoon
WSW
20-30
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
WSW
20-30
Tuesday
Night
WSW
25-35
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
25-35
Wednesday
Afternoon
WSW
20-30
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
SW
15-25
Tuesday
Night
SW
20-30
Wednesday
Morning
SW
30-40
Wednesday
Afternoon
SW
25-35
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
WSW
25-35
Tuesday
Night
WSW
35-50
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
35-50
Wednesday
Afternoon
WSW
30-40
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
WSW
25-35
Tuesday
Night
WSW
35-50
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
35-50
Wednesday
Afternoon
WSW
30-40
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
WSW
25-35
Tuesday
Night
WSW
35-50
Wednesday
Morning
WSW
40-55
Wednesday
Afternoon
WSW
35-50
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis
Behind the major storm, we sit in an open trough pattern. Subtle waves of moisture should bring periods of light snowfall in nearly every 12-hour block through the end of the week. While the overall pattern is easy to identify, it's hard to nail down specifics of exactly when these pluses of snow will reach the mountains. With cold air in place, this should help add to the already impressive weekly snow totals.
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).