If you're a fan of unseasonably cold temperatures and the potential for several inches of fluffy low-density snow every 12hrs...then this is the forecast for you. A deep upper trough parked off the B.C. coast will slowly drop southward over the next few days and will be the dominant weather feature in our region. Much colder air aloft associated with the upper low will settle over the region with a cold and unstable air mass overhead.
Showers will wax and wane as upper-level shortwaves and day-time heating help to spark and focus shower activity over the next few days. Tonight, the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt Hood will fare better than the east slopes regarding new snow, but on Friday, the flow aloft will turn more southerly helping to spread more snow showers further east. The timing of any particular feature over the next few days will be difficult to pinpoint. The Olympic peninsula which has already been hammered by snow, will continue to receive locally heavier accumulations closer to the low as well as the Mt Hood area closer to the base of the trough.
Periods of moderate SW-S-SE winds will come with the weather impulses with locally strong SW winds down near Mt. Hood. Snow levels will dip to near sea level at night and rebound to 1000-2000' during the days, with the freezing level roughly 500-1000' higher. As with a showery pattern in March, it won't be all precipitation all the time so expect sunbreaks during the day. Due to the convective nature to the showers, heavier showers are likely to contain graupel.
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
Thursday
Night
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Heaviest accumulations southwest slopes of the Olympics. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Heaviest accumulations southern slopes of the Olympics. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Night
Light to moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Night
Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Night
Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Night
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Light east winds at Pass level, light to moderate S-SW winds at ridgeline.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Night
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Light east winds at Pass level, light to moderate S-SW winds at ridgeline.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds
Friday
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday
Night
Light to moderate snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds.
Friday
Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds.
Issued: 2:00 PM PST Thursday, February 29, 2024
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
Friday
Friday Night
Saturday
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
4 pm - 4 am
4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
0.50
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0.50
0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Stevens Pass
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass
0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Crystal Mt
0.25 - 0.50
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Paradise
0.50 - 0.75
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
0.25
White Pass
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
LT 0.25
0.25
LT 0.25
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
0.25 - 0.50
0.25
0.25
0.25
Timberline
0.50
0.25 - 0.50
0.25 - 0.50
0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Friday Night
LT 0.25
Saturday
LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
0.50
Friday
0.25 - 0.50
Friday Night
LT 0.25
Saturday
LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
0.50
Friday
0.25
Friday Night
LT 0.25
Saturday
LT 0.25
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
LT 0.10
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
LT 0.25
Friday Night
LT 0.25
Saturday
LT 0.25
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
0.50 - 0.75
Friday
0.25 - 0.50
Friday Night
0.25
Saturday
0.25
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0.25
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
LT 0.10
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.10
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
LT 0.10
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
LT 0.25
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
LT 0.25
Friday Night
LT 0.10
Saturday
LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0.25
Friday Night
LT 0.25
Saturday
LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Friday
0.25
Friday Night
0.25
Saturday
0.25
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night
0.50
Friday
0.25 - 0.50
Friday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Saturday
0.25 - 0.50
Issued: 2:00 PM PST Thursday, February 29, 2024
Snow Level (ft)
Thursday
Evening
Thursday
Night
Friday
Morning
Friday
Afternoon
Friday
Evening
Friday
Night
Saturday
Morning
Saturday
Afternoon
Olympics
1000'
0
500'
1500'
500'
0
500'
1500'
West North
1000'
0
500'
2000'
500'
0
500'
1500'
West Central
1500'
0
1000'
2000'
500'
0
500'
1500'
West South
1500'
0
1000'
2000'
500'
0
500'
1500'
Stevens Pass
1500'
0
1000'
2000'
500'
0
500'
1500'
Snoqualmie Pass
1500'
0
1000'
2000'
500'
0
500'
1500'
East North
1500'
0
500'
2500'
500'
0
500'
1500'
East Central
1500'
0
1000'
2500'
500'
0
500'
1500'
East South
1500'
0
1000'
2500'
500'
0
500'
1500'
Mt. Hood
1500'
500'
1500'
2500'
500'
0
500'
1500'
Olympics
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
0'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
1500'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
West North
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1000'
Thursday
Night
0'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
West Central
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
0'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
West South
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
0'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
0'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
0'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2000'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
East North
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
0'
Friday
Morning
500'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
East Central
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
0'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
East South
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
0'
Friday
Morning
1000'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Thursday
Evening
1500'
Thursday
Night
500'
Friday
Morning
1500'
Friday
Afternoon
2500'
Friday
Evening
500'
Friday
Night
0'
Saturday
Morning
500'
Saturday
Afternoon
1500'
Issued: 2:00 PM PST Thursday, February 29, 2024
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Thursday
Night
Friday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
18 / 14
20 / 14
West North
19 / 17
21 / 15
West Central
20 / 16
22 / 15
West South
21 / 16
23 / 16
Stevens Pass
20 / 15
23 / 14
Snoqualmie Pass
20 / 16
22 / 14
East North
20 / 15
23 / 12
East Central
21 / 15
23 / 14
East South
23 / 15
23 / 15
Mt. Hood
21 / 17
25 / 17
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
18 / 14
Friday
20 / 14
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
19 / 17
Friday
21 / 15
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
20 / 16
Friday
22 / 15
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
21 / 16
Friday
23 / 16
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
20 / 15
Friday
23 / 14
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
20 / 16
Friday
22 / 14
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
20 / 15
Friday
23 / 12
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
21 / 15
Friday
23 / 14
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
23 / 15
Friday
23 / 15
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Thursday
Night
21 / 17
Friday
25 / 17
Issued: 2:00 PM PST Thursday, February 29, 2024
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
Thursday
Night
Friday
Morning
Friday
Afternoon
Olympics
SW 10-20
SW 15-25
S 10-20
S 15-25
West North
S 20-30
S 15-25
SSE 10-20
SSE 10-20
West Central
SW 15-25
SW 20-30
S 15-25
SSE 15-25
West South
SW 15-25
SW 20-30
S 15-25
S 15-25
Stevens Pass
WSW 5-15
S 10-20
SE 5-15
SE 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
WSW 5-15
S 15-25
SE 10-20
SE 15-25
East North
SW 5-15
S 10-20
S 10-20
S 10-20
East Central
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
S 15-25
SSE 10-20
East South
SW 15-25
SW 15-25
S 15-25
SSE 10-20
Mt. Hood
SW 25-35
SW 25-35
SW 20-30
SW 20-30
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
SW
10-20
Thursday
Night
SW
15-25
Friday
Morning
S
10-20
Friday
Afternoon
S
15-25
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
S
20-30
Thursday
Night
S
15-25
Friday
Morning
SSE
10-20
Friday
Afternoon
SSE
10-20
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
SW
15-25
Thursday
Night
SW
20-30
Friday
Morning
S
15-25
Friday
Afternoon
SSE
15-25
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
SW
15-25
Thursday
Night
SW
20-30
Friday
Morning
S
15-25
Friday
Afternoon
S
15-25
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Night
S
10-20
Friday
Morning
SE
5-15
Friday
Afternoon
SE
10-20
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
WSW
5-15
Thursday
Night
S
15-25
Friday
Morning
SE
10-20
Friday
Afternoon
SE
15-25
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
SW
5-15
Thursday
Night
S
10-20
Friday
Morning
S
10-20
Friday
Afternoon
S
10-20
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
SW
15-25
Thursday
Night
SW
15-25
Friday
Morning
S
15-25
Friday
Afternoon
SSE
10-20
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
SW
15-25
Thursday
Night
SW
15-25
Friday
Morning
S
15-25
Friday
Afternoon
SSE
10-20
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday
Evening
SW
25-35
Thursday
Night
SW
25-35
Friday
Morning
SW
20-30
Friday
Afternoon
SW
20-30
Issued: 2:00 PM PST Thursday, February 29, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis
The long range looks similar to the short range with the potential for even colder temperatures and plenty of snow showers in the forecast. A more defined frontal system with heavier snow may affect southern areas on Monday, but right now that's far from certain.
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).