A powerful and slow-moving frontal system continues to slam into the Pacific Northwest, delivering moderate to heavy rain and snow along with strong to extreme SW winds. Stormy conditions will persist tonight, with snow levels peaking this afternoon and through this evening in the 4000-4500' for the north Cascades, 4500-5000' for the central Cascades/Olymipcs, 5000-5500' for the south Washington Cascades, and 5500-6000' for Mt Hood. The cold front will sag south from the NW tonight, passing through the central Cascades around midnight with heavier precipitation and the strongest winds lingering through the wee morning hours for the South Washington Cascades and Mt Hood.
Steady precipitation will transition to showers late tonight and Thursday with a sharp cooling trend following the frontal passage. A cold upper level trough will move offshore, setting up a cold unstable air mass over the area. Showers will pile up the more additional snow, especially along the west slopes of the Cascades with a highlight on the Mt Baker area and the SW slopes of the Olymipcs. Expect much lighter accumulations east of the Cascade crest along with slightly warmer temps and some afternoon sunbreaks. Expect plenty of graupel in heavier showers, especially during the afternoon and evening.
Our cold pattern thanks to the upper level trough positioned offshore will continue on Friday with additional light to locally moderate snow showers.
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
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with strong to extreme winds and moderate to locally heavy rain and snow in the evening, then becoming light to occasionally moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds. Heaviest precipitation SW slopes of the Olymipcs.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. Heaviest precipitation SW slopes of the Olymipcs.
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Cloudy with moderate snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow and strong to extreme ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate to strong ridgeline winds after midnight.
Thursday
Cloudy with light to moderate snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds.
Thursday
Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline and Pass level W winds.
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow through midnight and strong ridgeline winds, then becoming light to moderate showers with moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds.
Thursday
Cloudy with light snow showers in the morning, then scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline and Pass level W winds.
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with light to moderate rain and snow and strong ridgeline winds, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then becoming light showers late overnight along with decreasing winds.
Thursday
Cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with scattered showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with light to moderate rain and snow and strong ridgeline winds, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then becoming light showers late overnight.
Thursday
Cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with scattered showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with light to moderate rain and snow and strong ridgeline winds, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then becoming light showers late overnight.
Thursday
Light to moderate snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Light to moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Issued: 2:02 PM PST Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
Thursday
Thursday Night
Friday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0.75
0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
1.50 - 2.00
0.50 - 0.75
0.50
0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
1.50
0.25 - 0.50
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.25
Stevens Pass
0.75 -1.00
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
1.00
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
LT 0.25
Crystal Mt
1.00
LT 0.25
0.25
LT 0.25
Paradise
1.50 - 2.00
0.50
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
White Pass
0.75 -1.00
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
LT 0.25
Washington Pass
0.75
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0.50 - 0.75
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0.50 - 0.75
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
1.00
0.50 - 0.75
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
Timberline
1.00 - 1.50
0.75
0.25 - 0.50
0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.75
Thursday
0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
1.50 - 2.00
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night
0.50
Friday
0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
1.50
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
LT 0.25
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.75 -1.00
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
1.00
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
1.00
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
1.50 - 2.00
Thursday
0.50
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0.25
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.75 -1.00
Thursday
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.75
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday
LT 0.25
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
1.00
Thursday
0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0.25
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
1.00 - 1.50
Thursday
0.75
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0.25 - 0.50
Issued: 2:02 PM PST Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Snow Level (ft)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Thursday
Evening
Thursday
Night
Friday
Morning
Friday
Afternoon
Olympics
3500'
2500'
1500'
2000'
1000'
500'
1000'
2000'
West North
4000'
2000'
1500'
2000'
1000'
500'
1000'
2000'
West Central
4500'
2500'
2000'
2000'
1000'
500'
1000'
2000'
West South
4500'
4500'
2000'
2500'
1000'
500'
1000'
2500'
Stevens Pass
4500'
3000'
2000'
2500'
1000'
500'
1000'
2500'
Snoqualmie Pass
4500'
3000'
2000'
2500'
1000'
500'
1000'
2500'
East North
4500'
4000'
3000'
3500'
1000'
500'
1000'
2500'
East Central
4500'
4000'
3000'
3500'
1000'
500'
1000'
2500'
East South
5000'
5000'
3500'
3500'
1000'
500'
1000'
2500'
Mt. Hood
5500'
5000'
2500'
2000'
1500'
1000'
1500'
2500'
Olympics
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
3500'
Wednesday
Night
2500'
Thursday
Morning
1500'
Thursday
Afternoon
2000'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
West North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
2000'
Thursday
Morning
1500'
Thursday
Afternoon
2000'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
West Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
2500'
Thursday
Morning
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon
2000'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
West South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon
2500'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon
2500'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning
2000'
Thursday
Afternoon
2500'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
East North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
4000'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
3500'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
East Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
4000'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
3500'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
East South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
5000'
Thursday
Morning
3500'
Thursday
Afternoon
3500'
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
5500'
Wednesday
Night
5000'
Thursday
Morning
2500'
Thursday
Afternoon
2000'
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
1000'
Friday
Morning
1500'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Issued: 2:02 PM PST Wednesday, February 28, 2024
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
30 / 18
21 / 18
West North
31 / 22
21 / 19
West Central
30 / 22
22 / 19
West South
31 / 23
24 / 20
Stevens Pass
31 / 22
25 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass
31 / 22
24 / 20
East North
31 / 23
26 / 21
East Central
32 / 22
26 / 21
East South
32 / 22
27 / 21
Mt. Hood
33 / 24
26 / 22
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 18
Thursday
21 / 18
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
31 / 22
Thursday
21 / 19
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 22
Thursday
22 / 19
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
31 / 23
Thursday
24 / 20
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
31 / 22
Thursday
25 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
31 / 22
Thursday
24 / 20
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
31 / 23
Thursday
26 / 21
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
32 / 22
Thursday
26 / 21
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
32 / 22
Thursday
27 / 21
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
33 / 24
Thursday
26 / 22
Issued: 2:02 PM PST Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
SW 10-20
SW 10-20
West North
SSW 35-50
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
SSW 15-25
West Central
SW 35-50
SW 20-30
SW 10-20
SW 10-20
West South
SW 35-50
SW 20-30
W 10-20
SW 15-25
Stevens Pass
SW 25-35
WSW 15-25
WSW 10-20
SW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
SW 30-40
WSW 20-30
WSW 10-20
SW 10-20
East North
SW 25-35
WSW 20-30
SW 10-20
WSW 5-15
East Central
SW 30-40
SW 30-40
W 15-25
SW 10-20
East South
SW 30-40
SW 30-40
W 15-25
SW 10-20
Mt. Hood
SW 35-50
SW 40-55
W 15-25
SW 20-30
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
15-25
Wednesday
Night
SW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
SW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SSW
35-50
Wednesday
Night
SW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
SW
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
SSW
15-25
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
35-50
Wednesday
Night
SW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
SW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
35-50
Wednesday
Night
SW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
W
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
15-25
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
25-35
Wednesday
Night
WSW
15-25
Thursday
Morning
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
30-40
Wednesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
WSW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
25-35
Wednesday
Night
WSW
20-30
Thursday
Morning
SW
10-20
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
30-40
Wednesday
Night
SW
30-40
Thursday
Morning
W
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
30-40
Wednesday
Night
SW
30-40
Thursday
Morning
W
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
10-20
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
SW
35-50
Wednesday
Night
SW
40-55
Thursday
Morning
W
15-25
Thursday
Afternoon
SW
20-30
Issued: 2:02 PM PST Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis
Snow levels will stay quite low Friday night through the weekend, generally falling near or just above sea-level overnight and rebounding to 1500-2500' during the day. Upper level disturbances rotating out of the upper low will add some vigor and focus to the showers but timing these features will be difficult. Mountain locations will see incremental shots of lower density snow accumulate every 12 hrs as we roll into early March.
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).