It's another cool and sunny day across most of the forecast area. Expected high clouds hung up in Oregon, but some low level stratus pushed into sections of the West North and Central zone. This evening the high pressure ridge over the eastern Pacific will rebound resulting in decreasing winds, clearing skies, and temperature inversions. You could see patchy low clouds or valley fog, but with such a dry airmass, this will be most common near creeks and lakes near and east of the Cascade Crest.
As the high pressure ridge continues to build, temperatures at the lower levels of the atmosphere become a mess. Neither freezing level nor 5000 ft temperatures paint a clear picture of how warm or cold it may feel. Expect multiple freezing levels with the coldest temperatures often settling into the deep mountain valleys and other cold air sinks in the terrain. Above, the upper atmosphere should continue to steadily warm. Low level offshore (easterly) flow, will only add to this complexity as it tries to draw cold air in from Central Washington keeping much of the lower elevation terrain east of the Crest and in the Passes very chilly.
The pattern repeats itself Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Temperature inversion cool the valleys and passes, while higher in the terrain, milder temperatures prevail. An approaching short-wave disturbance turns the winds more westerly during the day, allowing warmer air to mix down to lower elevations. Ridgeline winds and clouds should increase in the afternoon, but any precipitation appears to hold off until the evening hours.
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
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming. Light to moderate NW winds quickly decreasing.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming with fog and low clouds possible. East flow developing at Pass level overnight.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds. Light East flow at pass level.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming with fog and low clouds possible. Light to moderate NW winds quickly decreasing in the evening. Then Easterly flow developing at Pass level overnight.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds. Light east flow at pass level.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming with patchy valley fog possible. Light to moderate NNW winds decreasing in the evening.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming with patchy valley fog. Light to moderate NNW winds decreasing.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming with patchy valley fog possible. Moderate NNW winds decerasing.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear. Temperature inversions forming. Moderate NNW winds decreasing.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with passing high clouds.
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Tuesday, January 21, 2025
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
0
0
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
0
0
0
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0
0
0
0
Stevens Pass
0
0
0
0
Snoqualmie Pass
0
0
0
0
Crystal Mt
0
0
0
0
Paradise
0
0
0
0
White Pass
0
0
0
0
Washington Pass
0
0
0
0
Mission Ridge
0
0
0
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0
0
0
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0
0
0
0
Mt Hood Meadows
0
0
0
0
Timberline
0
0
0
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Snow Level (ft)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night*
Wednesday
Morning*
Wednesday
Afternoon*
Wednesday
Evening*
Wednesday
Night*
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
2500'
3000'
4500'
5500'
6000'
6500'
7500'
7000'
West North
1500'
1500'
2500'
3000'
4500'
5000'
4000'
4000'
West Central
1500'
2000'
3500'
4500'
5000'
5500'
6000'
5000'
West South
3000'
4500'
5000'
6500'
6500'
7000'
7000'
7500'
Stevens Pass
1000'
1500'
2000'
4500'
5000'
5500'
6000'
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass
1500'
1500'
2500'
5000'
5500'
6500'
6500'
6000'
East North
1000'
500'
1500'
3500'
4000'
5000'
4500'
4500'
East Central
2000'
2000'
2000'
4500'
4500'
5500'
6000'
6000'
East South
3000'
3500'
4000'
5500'
6000'
6500'
7000'
7000'
Mt. Hood
6000'
6500'
7000'
7500'
7500'
8500'
9000'
9500'
Olympics
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2500'
Tuesday
Night*
3000'
Wednesday
Morning*
4500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
5500'
Wednesday
Evening*
6000'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning
7500'
Thursday
Afternoon
7000'
West North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3000'
Wednesday
Evening*
4500'
Wednesday
Night*
5000'
Thursday
Morning
4000'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
West Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
2000'
Wednesday
Morning*
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
4500'
Wednesday
Evening*
5000'
Wednesday
Night*
5500'
Thursday
Morning
6000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
West South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night*
4500'
Wednesday
Morning*
5000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
6500'
Wednesday
Evening*
6500'
Wednesday
Night*
7000'
Thursday
Morning
7000'
Thursday
Afternoon
7500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1000'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
4500'
Wednesday
Evening*
5000'
Wednesday
Night*
5500'
Thursday
Morning
6000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1500'
Tuesday
Night*
1500'
Wednesday
Morning*
2500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
5000'
Wednesday
Evening*
5500'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning
6500'
Thursday
Afternoon
6000'
East North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
1000'
Tuesday
Night*
500'
Wednesday
Morning*
1500'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
3500'
Wednesday
Evening*
4000'
Wednesday
Night*
5000'
Thursday
Morning
4500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4500'
East Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
2000'
Tuesday
Night*
2000'
Wednesday
Morning*
2000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
4500'
Wednesday
Evening*
4500'
Wednesday
Night*
5500'
Thursday
Morning
6000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6000'
East South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night*
3500'
Wednesday
Morning*
4000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
5500'
Wednesday
Evening*
6000'
Wednesday
Night*
6500'
Thursday
Morning
7000'
Thursday
Afternoon
7000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
6000'
Tuesday
Night*
6500'
Wednesday
Morning*
7000'
Wednesday
Afternoon*
7500'
Wednesday
Evening*
7500'
Wednesday
Night*
8500'
Thursday
Morning
9000'
Thursday
Afternoon
9500'
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Tuesday, January 21, 2025
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
28 / 24
33 / 24
West North
28 / 20
32 / 22
West Central
27 / 20
33 / 21
West South
29 / 19
36 / 20
Stevens Pass
24 / 19
31 / 19
Snoqualmie Pass
25 / 20
32 / 20
East North
21 / 14
28 / 13
East Central
26 / 20
34 / 20
East South
29 / 21
34 / 20
Mt. Hood
33 / 25
38 / 26
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 24
Wednesday
33 / 24
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 20
Wednesday
32 / 22
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
27 / 20
Wednesday
33 / 21
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
29 / 19
Wednesday
36 / 20
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
24 / 19
Wednesday
31 / 19
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
25 / 20
Wednesday
32 / 20
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
21 / 14
Wednesday
28 / 13
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
26 / 20
Wednesday
34 / 20
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
29 / 21
Wednesday
34 / 20
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
33 / 25
Wednesday
38 / 26
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon
Olympics
NW 5-15
NNW 5-15
N 0-10
NW 5-15
West North
VAR 0-10
VAR 0-10
VAR 0-10
W 0-10
West Central
NW 5-15
VAR 0-10
VAR 0-10
W 0-10
West South
NW 10-20
NW 5-15
VAR 0-10
WNW 0-10
Stevens Pass
NW 5-15
VAR 0-10
VAR 0-10
W 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
NW 10-20
NNW 5-15
VAR 0-10
W 5-15
East North
NNW 10-20
NNW 5-15
VAR 0-10
W 5-15
East Central
NNW 10-20
NNW 5-15
VAR 0-10
WNW 5-15
East South
NNW 15-25
NNW 5-15
VAR 0-10
WNW 5-15
Mt. Hood
NNW 15-25
NNW 10-20
NNW 5-15
NNW 0-10
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
5-15
Tuesday
Night
NNW
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
N
0-10
Wednesday
Afternoon
NW
5-15
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
VAR
0-10
Tuesday
Night
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Afternoon
W
0-10
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
5-15
Tuesday
Night
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Afternoon
W
0-10
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
NW
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Afternoon
WNW
0-10
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
5-15
Tuesday
Night
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Afternoon
W
5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
NNW
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Afternoon
W
5-15
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
NNW
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Afternoon
W
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
NNW
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
15-25
Tuesday
Night
NNW
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
VAR
0-10
Wednesday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
15-25
Tuesday
Night
NNW
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
NNW
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
NNW
0-10
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Extended Weather Synopsis
A weak short-wave system swings through the region Thursday night bringing us our first chance at measurable snowfall in about a week. Weather models disagree about how much moisture will be left by the time the "storm" arrives. However, ensembles aren't painting a very snowy picture. At the moment, it appears that most areas could receive a few inches of snow, particularly in the northern half of the forecast region. The little system doesn't hang around for very long. By Friday morning, the high pressure ridge starts to rebound once again. Cold and dry northerly flow should make for a sunny, all-be-it, chilly weekend.
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).