Issued: 1:51 PM PST Thursday, January 23, 2025
by Dallas Glass

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis

A weak shortwave disturbance swings through the region overnight mainly bringing colder air, along with clouds and a period of slightly stronger winds. Temperatures cool quickly this evening. By the time any precipitation arrives, snow levels should be below most trailhead elevations. Unfortunately, the system won't have much moisture left. Areas along the west slopes of the Cascades from about Mt Rainier north could see a healthy dusting of snow. High-end "storm" totals of an inch or two are possible for the Mt Baker and Mt Loop Highway areas. Even if your locale isn't expecting measurable precipitation, don't be surprised by a few flurries. 

The whole event should be over by Friday morning. As the high pressure ridge quickly rebounds, cold and dry northerly flow aloft sets up over the region. This should help any lingering clouds or flurries quickly clear out of the area. With much colder air in place, we'll see weak daytime warming, as temperatures stay on the chillier side despite the sun. 

A cold clear night on Friday will allow weak temperature inversions to form in the mountain valleys, passes, and other low-lying areas. With plenty of sunshine, temperatures warm slightly again on Saturday. However, NE winds bring a steady stream of cold air into the mountains from Canada. With the high pressure ridge back in place, this marks the start of yet another prolonged dry period. 

 

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 Cloudy with a few light snow showers and falling temperatures.
Friday Lingering clouds in the morning, then clearing.
Thursday Night Cloudy with light snow showers and falling temperatures.
Friday Becoming mostly sunny. Light to moderate NE winds decreasing.
Thursday Night Cloudy with light snow showers and falling temperatures. Light to moderate WNW winds decreasing and turning northerly.
Friday Becoming mostly sunny.
Thursday Night Cloudy with light snow showers mainly in the northern half of the zone. Flurries elsewhere. Temperatures falling. Light to moderate WNW winds turning NNW.
Friday Lingering clouds and flurries in the morning, then clearing
Thursday Night Cloudy with light snow showers and falling temperatures. Light to moderate WNW winds decreasing and turning NNW. W flow at pass level.
Friday Lingering clouds in the morning, then clearing. Light and variable winds at pass level.
Thursday Night Cloudy with light snow showers and falling temperatures. Moderate WNW winds turning NNW and decreasing slightly. W flow at pass level.
Friday Lingering clouds in the morning, then clearing. Light and variable winds at pass level.
Thursday Night Cloudy with light snow showers and falling temperatures. Light to moderate NW winds turning N.
Friday Mostly sunny and cool.
Thursday Night Cloudy with light snow showers mainly in the northern half of the zone. Flurries elsewhere. Temperatures falling. Moderate NW winds turning N and decreasing slightly.
Friday Lingering clouds in the morning, then clearing.
Thursday Night Cloudy with flurries possible. Moderate NW winds turning NNW and decreasing slightly.
Friday Lingering clouds and snow flurries in the morning, then clearing.
Thursday Night Cloudy with flurries possible Moderate to strong WNW winds decreasing slightly and shifting NW.
Friday Mostly cloudy with a few flurries in the morning, then clearing. Winds becoming E light to moderate.

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 LT 0.10 0 0 0
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.10 0 0 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 0 0 0
Paradise LT 0.10 0 0 0
White Pass 0 0 0 0
Washington Pass LT 0.10 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)
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Thursday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0

Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Evening Thursday Night Friday Morning Friday Afternoon Friday Evening* Friday Night* Saturday Morning* Saturday Afternoon*
Olympics 3500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 3500'
West North 2500' 1500' 1000' 3000' 1500' 1500' 1500' 3500'
West Central 2500' 1500' 1500' 3000' 2000' 1500' 2000' 3500'
West South 3500' 2000' 2000' 3000' 2000' 1500' 2000' 3000'
Stevens Pass 2500' 1500' 1500' 3000' 1500' 1000' 1000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 1500' 2000' 3000' 2000' 1000' 1500' 3000'
East North 2500' 1000' 1000' 2000' 1500' 1000' 1000' 2000'
East Central 2500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 1500' 1000' 1000' 2000'
East South 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 1500' 1500' 1500' 2500'
Mt. Hood 4500' 3500' 3000' 2500' 1000' 1000' 1500' 2000'
Olympics Elevation
Thursday Evening 3500'
Thursday Night 2000'
Friday Morning 2000'
Friday Afternoon 2500'
Friday Evening* 2000'
Friday Night* 2000'
Saturday Morning* 2000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Evening 2500'
Thursday Night 1500'
Friday Morning 1000'
Friday Afternoon 3000'
Friday Evening* 1500'
Friday Night* 1500'
Saturday Morning* 1500'
Saturday Afternoon* 3500'
West Central Elevation
Thursday Evening 2500'
Thursday Night 1500'
Friday Morning 1500'
Friday Afternoon 3000'
Friday Evening* 2000'
Friday Night* 1500'
Saturday Morning* 2000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3500'
West South Elevation
Thursday Evening 3500'
Thursday Night 2000'
Friday Morning 2000'
Friday Afternoon 3000'
Friday Evening* 2000'
Friday Night* 1500'
Saturday Morning* 2000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Thursday Evening 2500'
Thursday Night 1500'
Friday Morning 1500'
Friday Afternoon 3000'
Friday Evening* 1500'
Friday Night* 1000'
Saturday Morning* 1000'
Saturday Afternoon* 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Evening 2500'
Thursday Night 1500'
Friday Morning 2000'
Friday Afternoon 3000'
Friday Evening* 2000'
Friday Night* 1000'
Saturday Morning* 1500'
Saturday Afternoon* 3000'
East North Elevation
Thursday Evening 2500'
Thursday Night 1000'
Friday Morning 1000'
Friday Afternoon 2000'
Friday Evening* 1500'
Friday Night* 1000'
Saturday Morning* 1000'
Saturday Afternoon* 2000'
East Central Elevation
Thursday Evening 2500'
Thursday Night 1500'
Friday Morning 2000'
Friday Afternoon 2500'
Friday Evening* 1500'
Friday Night* 1000'
Saturday Morning* 1000'
Saturday Afternoon* 2000'
East South Elevation
Thursday Evening 3000'
Thursday Night 2000'
Friday Morning 2000'
Friday Afternoon 2500'
Friday Evening* 1500'
Friday Night* 1500'
Saturday Morning* 1500'
Saturday Afternoon* 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Evening 4500'
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday Morning 3000'
Friday Afternoon 2500'
Friday Evening* 1000'
Friday Night* 1000'
Saturday Morning* 1500'
Saturday Afternoon* 2000'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Thursday Night Friday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 32 / 25 28 / 20
West North 32 / 24 28 / 22
West Central 32 / 25 28 / 22
West South 32 / 23 27 / 21
Stevens Pass 29 / 24 27 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass 30 / 25 28 / 24
East North 26 / 15 22 / 13
East Central 30 / 20 28 / 20
East South 33 / 21 27 / 20
Mt. Hood 36 / 24 27 / 23
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 32 / 25
Friday 28 / 20
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 32 / 24
Friday 28 / 22
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 32 / 25
Friday 28 / 22
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 32 / 23
Friday 27 / 21
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 29 / 24
Friday 27 / 20
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 30 / 25
Friday 28 / 24
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 26 / 15
Friday 22 / 13
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 30 / 20
Friday 28 / 20
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 33 / 21
Friday 27 / 20
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 36 / 24
Friday 27 / 23

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Thursday Evening Thursday Night Friday Morning Friday Afternoon
Olympics NW 5-15 NNE 5-15 NE 5-15 NE 5-15
West North NW 5-15 NNE 5-15 NE 10-20 NE 5-15
West Central WNW 10-20 NNE 5-15 NNE 5-15 NNE 5-15
West South WNW 10-20 NNW 10-20 NE 5-15 NE 5-15
Stevens Pass WNW 10-20 NNW 5-15 NE 5-15 NE 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass NW 15-25 NNW 10-20 NE 5-15 NE 5-15
East North NW 10-20 N 10-20 NNE 5-15 NNE 5-15
East Central NW 15-25 N 10-20 NNE 5-15 NNE 5-15
East South NW 15-25 NNW 10-20 NE 5-15 NE 5-15
Mt. Hood WNW 20-30 NW 15-25 NE 5-15 E 10-20
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening NW 5-15
Thursday Night NNE 5-15
Friday Morning NE 5-15
Friday Afternoon NE 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening NW 5-15
Thursday Night NNE 5-15
Friday Morning NE 10-20
Friday Afternoon NE 5-15
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening WNW 10-20
Thursday Night NNE 5-15
Friday Morning NNE 5-15
Friday Afternoon NNE 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening WNW 10-20
Thursday Night NNW 10-20
Friday Morning NE 5-15
Friday Afternoon NE 5-15
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening WNW 10-20
Thursday Night NNW 5-15
Friday Morning NE 5-15
Friday Afternoon NE 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening NW 15-25
Thursday Night NNW 10-20
Friday Morning NE 5-15
Friday Afternoon NE 5-15
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening NW 10-20
Thursday Night N 10-20
Friday Morning NNE 5-15
Friday Afternoon NNE 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening NW 15-25
Thursday Night N 10-20
Friday Morning NNE 5-15
Friday Afternoon NNE 5-15
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening NW 15-25
Thursday Night NNW 10-20
Friday Morning NE 5-15
Friday Afternoon NE 5-15
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening WNW 20-30
Thursday Night NW 15-25
Friday Morning NE 5-15
Friday Afternoon E 10-20

Extended Weather Synopsis

An entrenched high pressure ridge keeps us dry through the extended forecast period. After a cold and clear night Saturday, the ridge will slowly drift eastward towards the coast. This will have a few impacts on the weather. Low level easterly flow will increase and help draw colder air from Central Washinton into the valleys and passes near and east of the Cascade Crest. Warm air aloft will push into the region at middle and upper elevations from the west causing freezing levels to climb. Combine these two variables, and you get strong temperature inversions and multiple freezing levels. It could be quite chilly down in the valleys, even while it's much warmer higher up the mountainside. This pattern should carry us well into the work week. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Night* Sunday * Sunday Night* Monday *
West North 2500' 3500' 6000' 8000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 3500' 6000' 8000'
Mt. Hood 1500' 4500' 6500' 8500'
West North Elevation
Saturday Night* 2500'
Sunday * 3500'
Sunday Night* 6000'
Monday * 8000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Night* 2000'
Sunday * 3500'
Sunday Night* 6000'
Monday * 8000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Night* 1500'
Sunday * 4500'
Sunday Night* 6500'
Monday * 8500'

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather

Previous forecast from Jan 23, 2025

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).

The label LT, is shorthand for ‘less than’.