Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis
A significant winter storm is bearing down on the Pacific Northwest Saturday afternoon bringing strong winds, heavy precipitation, and fluctuating snow levels. Radar returns show the leading edge of the precipitation reaching into the Cascades this afternoon (Saturday 2pm). Currently, most NWAC weather stations report below-freezing temperatures. Expect precipitation to start as snow in most locations. However, this evening, a sharp warm front will send temperatures climbing and cause a change from snow to rain at most trailhead and pass elevations. Snow levels should peak sometime in the early morning hours between 5000 and 7000ft. In addition to the warming temperatures, expect periods of intense precipitation with significant spillover to areas east of the Cascade Crest. Winds will also increase, becoming strong and gusty in most locations. Wrap all this together and it's going to be a very stormy night in the mountains.
With the jet stream trained on Washington, the stormy weather will continue Sunday. A trailing cold front should push through the region in the morning and deliver yet another round of heavier precipitation and gusty winds. As it exists, snow levels will slowly drop. The passes should transition back to snow sometime in the mid-afternoon. As the jet stream slowly drifts southward, expect the heaviest precipitation to focus on Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, and Mt Rainier.
Sunday night and into Monday, onshore flow and a steady stream of moisture should keep significant snow showers in the mountains. A Puget Sounds Convergence Zone should provide locally heavier precipitation to the central Cascades. Right now, this feature seems to focus on the Mountain Loop area, but a subtle shift could bring more significant precipitation to Stevens Pass. Snow showers and ridgeline winds should finally ease Monday afternoon, but only after a wet, wild, and windy 48hrs in the mountains.
Weather Forecast
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of heavy precipitation in the southern and western Olympics. Strong and gusty SW winds decreasing slightly. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Rain and snow, heaviest in the morning. Cooling with rain turning to snow in most areas. Light to moderate SW winds turning W. |
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of heavy precipitation. Warming, with snow turning to rain at middle elevations. Strong and gusty SSW winds decreasing slightly and becoming WSW. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Rain and snow, becoming mostly snow, may be heavy at times. Moderate SW winds decreasing and becoming westerly. |
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of heavy precipitation. Warming, with snow turning to rain at middle elevations. Moderate to strong and gusty SW winds, decreasing slightly and becoming WSW. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Stormy, particularly in the morning. Cooling. Snow could be heavy at times. Light to moderate SW winds turning WSW. |
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of heavy precipitation. Warming with snow turning to rain at middle elevations. Moderate to strong and gusty WSW winds decreasing slightly. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Stormy. Periods of heavy rain and snow, with cooling throughout the day. Precipitation heaviest on the volcanoes. Moderate WSW winds. |
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of heavy precipitation. Snow turning to rain at pass level. Light easterly pass flow diminishing in the early evening. Moderate westerly ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Stormy. Periods of heavy precipitation with cooling. Rain turning to snow at Pass level in the early afternoon. Light to moderate W winds. |
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of heavy precipitation. Snow turning to rain at pass level. Light easterly pass flow diminishing in the early evening. Moderate to strong and gusty SW winds turning W. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Stormy. Periods of heavy precipitation with cooling. Rain turning to snow at Pass level in the late afternoon. Moderate W winds. |
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of moderate to heavy precipitation with warming. Moderate to strong and gusty southwesterly winds. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Stormy in the morning, then showers with cooling temperatures. Moderate SW winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of moderate to heavy precipitation and warming. Moderate to strong and gusty southwesterly winds. Strong and gusty WSW-W winds. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Stormy in the morning, with precipitation focussing on the Cascade Crest. Cooling. Moderate to strong and gusty WSW winds decreasing and turning W. |
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of moderate to heavy precipitation and warming. Moderate to strong and gusty southwesterly winds. Strong and gusty WSW-W winds. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Stormy in the morning, with precipitation focussing on the Cascade Crest. Cooling. Moderate WSW winds turning W. |
| Saturday Night | Stormy. Periods of heavy precipitation and warming. Very strong and gusty winds with extreme alpine winds. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Stromy with periods of heavy precipitation and cooling. Very strong and gusty WSW winds and extreme alpine winds decreasing slightly. |
Issued: 1:55 PM PST Saturday, November 16, 2024
Precipitation (in)
| Saturday Night | Sunday | Sunday Night | Monday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 1.00 | 0.75 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 |
| Timberline | 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Sunday | 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.50 |
| Sunday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Sunday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Sunday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.50 |
| Sunday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.50 |
| Sunday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Sunday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.00 |
| Sunday | 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Sunday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.00 |
| Sunday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.50 |
| Sunday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.50 |
| Sunday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
Issued: 1:55 PM PST Saturday, November 16, 2024
Snow Level (ft)
| Saturday Evening | Saturday Night | Sunday Morning | Sunday Afternoon | Sunday Evening | Sunday Night | Monday Morning | Monday Afternoon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 6500' | 6000' | 4000' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| West North | 3500' | 5000' | 4000' | 2500' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' |
| West Central | 4000' | 6000' | 4000' | 3000' | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' |
| West South | 5000' | 6500' | 5000' | 3500' | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Stevens Pass | 4000' | 6000' | 4500' | 3500' | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 4000' | 6000' | 4500' | 3500' | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' |
| East North | 3500' | 5000' | 4000' | 3500' | 2000' | 1500' | 1000' | 1500' |
| East Central | 3500' | 6000' | 4500' | 3500' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' |
| East South | 4500' | 6000' | 5000' | 4000' | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | 5500' | 7000' | 6500' | 4500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Olympics | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 6500' |
| Saturday Night | 6000' |
| Sunday Morning | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 2500' |
| Sunday Evening | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | 2000' |
| Monday Morning | 2000' |
| Monday Afternoon | 2000' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 3500' |
| Saturday Night | 5000' |
| Sunday Morning | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 2500' |
| Sunday Evening | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | 1500' |
| Monday Morning | 1500' |
| Monday Afternoon | 1500' |
| West Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 4000' |
| Saturday Night | 6000' |
| Sunday Morning | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 3000' |
| Sunday Evening | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | 2000' |
| Monday Morning | 1500' |
| Monday Afternoon | 1500' |
| West South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 5000' |
| Saturday Night | 6500' |
| Sunday Morning | 5000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 3500' |
| Sunday Evening | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | 2000' |
| Monday Morning | 1500' |
| Monday Afternoon | 2000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 4000' |
| Saturday Night | 6000' |
| Sunday Morning | 4500' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 3500' |
| Sunday Evening | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | 2000' |
| Monday Morning | 1500' |
| Monday Afternoon | 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 4000' |
| Saturday Night | 6000' |
| Sunday Morning | 4500' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 3500' |
| Sunday Evening | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | 2000' |
| Monday Morning | 1500' |
| Monday Afternoon | 2000' |
| East North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 3500' |
| Saturday Night | 5000' |
| Sunday Morning | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 3500' |
| Sunday Evening | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | 1500' |
| Monday Morning | 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon | 1500' |
| East Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 3500' |
| Saturday Night | 6000' |
| Sunday Morning | 4500' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 3500' |
| Sunday Evening | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | 1500' |
| Monday Morning | 1500' |
| Monday Afternoon | 1500' |
| East South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 4500' |
| Saturday Night | 6000' |
| Sunday Morning | 5000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Sunday Evening | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | 2000' |
| Monday Morning | 1500' |
| Monday Afternoon | 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | 5500' |
| Saturday Night | 7000' |
| Sunday Morning | 6500' |
| Sunday Afternoon | 4500' |
| Sunday Evening | 2500' |
| Sunday Night | 2000' |
| Monday Morning | 2000' |
| Monday Afternoon | 2000' |
Issued: 1:55 PM PST Saturday, November 16, 2024
5000' Temperatures (°F)
| Saturday Night | Sunday | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Max / Min | Max / Min | ||
| Olympics | 37 / 31 | 33 / 38 | |
| West North | 34 / 29 | 33 / 28 | |
| West Central | 35 / 32 | 35 / 29 | |
| West South | 34 / 28 | 34 / 27 | |
| Stevens Pass | 35 / 29 | 34 / 29 | |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 35 / 29 | 35 / 29 | |
| East North | 30 / 23 | 29 / 24 | |
| East Central | 34 / 28 | 34 / 27 | |
| East South | 33 / 27 | 32 / 25 | |
| Mt. Hood | 36 / 29 | 36 / 27 |
| Olympics | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 37 / 31 |
| Sunday | 33 / 38 |
| West North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 34 / 29 |
| Sunday | 33 / 28 |
| West Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 35 / 32 |
| Sunday | 35 / 29 |
| West South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 34 / 28 |
| Sunday | 34 / 27 |
| Stevens Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 35 / 29 |
| Sunday | 34 / 29 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 35 / 29 |
| Sunday | 35 / 29 |
| East North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 30 / 23 |
| Sunday | 29 / 24 |
| East Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 34 / 28 |
| Sunday | 34 / 27 |
| East South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 33 / 27 |
| Sunday | 32 / 25 |
| Mt. Hood | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 36 / 29 |
| Sunday | 36 / 27 |
Issued: 1:55 PM PST Saturday, November 16, 2024
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
| Saturday Evening | Saturday Night | Sunday Morning | Sunday Afternoon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | SW 25-35 | W 15-25 | SW 10-20 | W 10-20 |
| West North | SSW 25-35 | WSW 20-30 | SW 15-25 | W 10-20 |
| West Central | SW 20-30 | WSW 15-25 | SW 10-20 | WSW 10-20 |
| West South | WSW 20-30 | WSW 15-25 | WSW 15-25 | WSW 15-25 |
| Stevens Pass | WSW 15-25 | W 15-25 | W 10-20 | W 10-20 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | SW 20-30 | W 20-30 | W 15-25 | W 15-25 |
| East North | SW 20-30 | WSW 20-30 | SW 15-25 | SW 10-20 |
| East Central | WSW 30-40 | W 30-40 | WSW 20-30 | W 15-25 |
| East South | WSW 25-35 | W 25-35 | WSW 15-25 | W 15-25 |
| Mt. Hood | W 35-50 | W 35-50 | WSW 30-40 | W 25-35 |
| Olympics | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 25-35 |
| Saturday Night | W 15-25 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10-20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10-20 |
| West North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSW 25-35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 20-30 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 15-25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10-20 |
| West Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 20-30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15-25 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10-20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 10-20 |
| West South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | WSW 20-30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15-25 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 15-25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 15-25 |
| Stevens Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | WSW 15-25 |
| Saturday Night | W 15-25 |
| Sunday Morning | W 10-20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10-20 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 20-30 |
| Saturday Night | W 20-30 |
| Sunday Morning | W 15-25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 15-25 |
| East North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 20-30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 20-30 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 15-25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10-20 |
| East Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | WSW 30-40 |
| Saturday Night | W 30-40 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 20-30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 15-25 |
| East South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | WSW 25-35 |
| Saturday Night | W 25-35 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 15-25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 15-25 |
| Mt. Hood | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | W 35-50 |
| Saturday Night | W 35-50 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 30-40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 25-35 |
Issued: 1:55 PM PST Saturday, November 16, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis
A few showers could linger in the mountain Monday night. These should be most common on Mt Hood and in the southern WA Cascades. In general, we'll see a slight break in the action Tuesday ahead of our next winter storm. Snow arrives back in the mountains late Tuesday afternoon and evening. Besides another round of precipitation, the approaching low-pressure system could generate a significant east-wind event in the passes and along the Cascade Crest. Post-frontal showers and a Puget Sound Convergence Zone should help add the snow totals on Wednesday.
Extended Snow Level (ft)
| Monday Night* | Tuesday * | Tuesday Night* | Wednesday * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West North | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' |
| Mt. Hood | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night* | 1000' |
| Tuesday * | 1500' |
| Tuesday Night* | 1500' |
| Wednesday * | 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night* | 1500' |
| Tuesday * | 2000' |
| Tuesday Night* | 2000' |
| Wednesday * | 3000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night* | 2000' |
| Tuesday * | 2500' |
| Tuesday Night* | 3000' |
| Wednesday * | 4000' |
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Nov 15, 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.