Issued: 1:53 PM PST Friday, January 31, 2025
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

The second round of Friday's storm system is ramping up this afternoon across the region. Moderate to locally heavy rain and snow will develop and continue through the early evening hours.  Until a 7pm-ish frontal passage through the Cascades, snow levels will stay on the mild side, in the 3500-4500' range, even in the Cascade Passes. Strong W-SW winds will continue Friday night for most areas and slowly decrease during the day on Saturday.  

As we get later into Friday evening, the bottom will fall out for the snow levels as they come crashing towards sea-level by Saturday morning. Significant post-frontal showers will continue overnight, piling up additional snowfall, especially along the West slopes of the Cascades and Mt Hood. A Puget Sound Convergence zone will likely produce locally heavy amounts of snow overnight in the Mtn Loop to Hwy20 West area.  A cold upper level low hanging offshore of central British Columbia's coast will direct showers into our region all day Saturday in cool westerly flow aloft.  These snow showers won't be quite as moisture-laden as Friday's storm, but we'll squeeze 1.5x to almost double the snow out of what you'd expect with a similar precipitation forecast under normal Cascadian winter temperatures. Storm totals from tonight through Saturday should total 6-18", with the highest amounts along the west slopes/near the Puget Sound Convergence zone and the lower end along the east slopes of the Cascades, especially further east of the Cascade crest due to downsloping/drying in westerly flow.  

We'll ramp down the winds and the snow showers a notch Saturday night and Sunday, but expect a few additional low-density inches during each 12-hr period. Mid-mountain temperatures will fall into the teens by Saturday morning with single digits common at upper elevations. Pack the right layers this weekend between the temperatures, new snow and the wind chill.  

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
Friday Night Light to moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate scattered snow showers, potentially heavier in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Moderate to occasionally heavy snow showers becoming lighter after midnight. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate scattered snow showers, potentially heavier in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Moderate to occasionally heavy snow showers becoming lighter after midnight. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate scattered snow showers, potentially heavier in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Light to moderate snow showers (heavier Paradise area, lighter Crystal area) becoming lighter after midnight. Strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate scattered snow showers, potentially heavier in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon.
Friday Night Moderate snow showers becoming lighter after midnight. Moderate to strong WSW ridgeline and Pass level winds.
Saturday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate scattered snow showers, potentially heavier in the afternoon. Moderate to strong W ridgeline and Pass level winds.
Friday Night Moderate snow showers becoming lighter after midnight. Moderate to strong WSW ridgeline and Pass level winds.
Saturday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate scattered snow showers, potentially heavier in the afternoon. Moderate to strong W ridgeline and Pass level winds.
Friday Night Light to moderate snow showers, heaviest near the Cascade crest, becoming lighter after midnight. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with light scattered snow showers in the morning, then light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon, heaviest near the Cascade crest. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Light to moderate snow showers, heaviest near the Cascade crest, becoming lighter after midnight. Strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with light scattered snow showers in the morning, then light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon, heaviest near the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Light to moderate snow showers, heaviest near the Cascade crest, becoming lighter after midnight. Strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with light scattered snow showers in the morning, then light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon, heaviest near the Cascade crest. Strong ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow showers, becoming lighter late. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with light scattered snow showers in the morning, then light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Strong ridgeline winds.

Precipitation (in)

Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.75 -1.00 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 1.00 0.50 0.25 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass 0.75 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Paradise 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 LT 0.25
White Pass 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Washington Pass 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0.75 -1.00 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Timberline 1.00 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.75 -1.00
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 1.00
Saturday 0.50
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.75
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.75
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.75
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.25
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.75 -1.00
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 1.00
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25

Snow Level (ft)

Friday Evening Friday Night Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics 3000' 1000' 0 0 0 0 0 0
West North 2500' 1000' 0 0 0 0 0 0
West Central 3000' 1500' 0 0 0 0 0 0
West South 4000' 2000' 0 500' 0 0 0 500'
Stevens Pass 3500' 1500' 0 0 0 0 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 1500' 0 0 0 0 0 0
East North 3000' 1000' 0 0 0 0 0 0
East Central 3500' 1500' 0 0 0 0 0 0
East South 4500' 2000' 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mt. Hood 4500' 2500' 1000' 1000' 0 0 0 1000'
Olympics Elevation
Friday Evening 3000'
Friday Night 1000'
Saturday Morning 0'
Saturday Afternoon 0'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 0'
West North Elevation
Friday Evening 2500'
Friday Night 1000'
Saturday Morning 0'
Saturday Afternoon 0'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 0'
West Central Elevation
Friday Evening 3000'
Friday Night 1500'
Saturday Morning 0'
Saturday Afternoon 0'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 0'
West South Elevation
Friday Evening 4000'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 0'
Saturday Afternoon 500'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening 3500'
Friday Night 1500'
Saturday Morning 0'
Saturday Afternoon 0'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 0'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening 3500'
Friday Night 1500'
Saturday Morning 0'
Saturday Afternoon 0'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 0'
East North Elevation
Friday Evening 3000'
Friday Night 1000'
Saturday Morning 0'
Saturday Afternoon 0'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 0'
East Central Elevation
Friday Evening 3500'
Friday Night 1500'
Saturday Morning 0'
Saturday Afternoon 0'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 0'
East South Elevation
Friday Evening 4500'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 0'
Saturday Afternoon 0'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 0'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening 4500'
Friday Night 2500'
Saturday Morning 1000'
Saturday Afternoon 1000'
Saturday Evening 0'
Saturday Night 0'
Sunday Morning 0'
Sunday Afternoon 1000'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Friday Night Saturday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 30 / 16 18 / 13
West North 29 / 15 17 / 13
West Central 31 / 18 18 / 15
West South 31 / 18 18 / 15
Stevens Pass 31 / 19 18 / 15
Snoqualmie Pass 30 / 19 18 / 15
East North 28 / 18 18 / 11
East Central 30 / 18 18 / 14
East South 31 / 19 19 / 14
Mt. Hood 33 / 24 22 / 17
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 30 / 16
Saturday 18 / 13
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 29 / 15
Saturday 17 / 13
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 31 / 18
Saturday 18 / 15
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 31 / 18
Saturday 18 / 15
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 31 / 19
Saturday 18 / 15
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 30 / 19
Saturday 18 / 15
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 28 / 18
Saturday 18 / 11
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 30 / 18
Saturday 18 / 14
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 31 / 19
Saturday 19 / 14
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 33 / 24
Saturday 22 / 17

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Friday Evening Friday Night Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon
Olympics SW 20-30 SW 15-25 WSW 15-25 WSW 5-15
West North SW 15-25 WSW 15-25 WSW 10-20 SW 10-20
West Central SW 20-30 WSW 15-25 W 15-25 WSW 15-25
West South SW 30-40 WSW 25-35 WSW 20-30 WSW 15-25
Stevens Pass WSW 20-30 WSW 20-30 WSW 20-30 WSW 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass SW 25-35 WSW 25-35 WSW 25-35 WSW 20-30
East North SW 15-25 W 20-30 W 15-25 WSW 15-25
East Central WSW 20-30 WSW 30-40 W 25-35 W 20-30
East South WSW 30-40 WSW 30-40 W 25-35 W 20-30
Mt. Hood WSW 40-55 W 30-40 W 25-35 W 25-35
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SW 20-30
Friday Night SW 15-25
Saturday Morning WSW 15-25
Saturday Afternoon WSW 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SW 15-25
Friday Night WSW 15-25
Saturday Morning WSW 10-20
Saturday Afternoon SW 10-20
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SW 20-30
Friday Night WSW 15-25
Saturday Morning W 15-25
Saturday Afternoon WSW 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SW 30-40
Friday Night WSW 25-35
Saturday Morning WSW 20-30
Saturday Afternoon WSW 15-25
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening WSW 20-30
Friday Night WSW 20-30
Saturday Morning WSW 20-30
Saturday Afternoon WSW 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SW 25-35
Friday Night WSW 25-35
Saturday Morning WSW 25-35
Saturday Afternoon WSW 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SW 15-25
Friday Night W 20-30
Saturday Morning W 15-25
Saturday Afternoon WSW 15-25
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening WSW 20-30
Friday Night WSW 30-40
Saturday Morning W 25-35
Saturday Afternoon W 20-30
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening WSW 30-40
Friday Night WSW 30-40
Saturday Morning W 25-35
Saturday Afternoon W 20-30
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening WSW 40-55
Friday Night W 30-40
Saturday Morning W 25-35
Saturday Afternoon W 25-35

Extended Weather Synopsis

The same upper low will drift south towards our area Sunday night and Monday.  Light and scattered snow showers will continue into early next week with this pattern. If Fraser outflow starts to spill cold NE winds through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we could see a period of upslope snow along the north slopes of the Olympics on Monday. Models diverge on how next week will play out.  For now, prepare for the coldest temperatures of the winter and an ongoing chance of light snow showers. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
West North 0 0 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0 0 0
Mt. Hood 0 500' 0 0
West North Elevation
Sunday Night 0'
Monday 0'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday 0'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night 0'
Monday 0'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday 0'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night 0'
Monday 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday 0'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 31, 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’.