Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 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

We're in for another cold night with overnight lows in the mountains in the single digits and some below zero readings along the east slopes of the Cascades.  A slow-moving weather system off the Oregon coast will cut under an upper-level ridge tonight.  This will result in an increase in high cloud tonight but, more importantly, will crank up the E-SE winds over all areas due to the synoptic pattern (counter-clockwise around the low pressure) and increasing offshore gradients.  

Winds will be strongest over the central and southern WA Cascades and Mt Hood with E-SE winds peaking Thursday morning through mid-day. Combine the wind with the ongoing cold temperatures, and we have a combination for dangerous wind chill values, make sure to layer up appropriately. 

The low-pressure system will spin up an occluded front during the day on Thursday, with light snow spreading from Mt Hood in the morning and its northward progress stalling around the Hwy2 corridor in the afternoon. This system should bring anywhere from an inch of snow to 2-5" for the southern WA Cascades and Mt Hood.  

Showers will continue Thursday night and taper down on Friday. E-SE winds will back off Thursday night and become westerly on Friday. With the switch to westerly (onshore) flow, temperatures and snow levels will bump up and moderate a bit on Friday. 

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
Wednesday Night Clear in the evening with increasing patchy to broken high clouds overnight. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday Mostly cloudy in the morning, then periods of light snow in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Clear in the evening with increasing patchy to broken high clouds overnight. Light to occasionally moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday Partly sunny in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Clear in the evening with increasing patchy to broken high clouds overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday Partly sunny in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon with light snow developing mid-day. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Clear in the evening with increasing patchy to broken high clouds overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds in the evening becoming moderate to strong after midnight.
Thursday Mostly cloudy in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon with light to occasionally moderate snow developing late morning. Strong ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Clear in the evening with increasing patchy to broken high clouds overnight. Moderate SE ridgeline and E Pass level winds.
Thursday Mostly cloudy in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon with light snow developing late morning. Moderate to strong SE ridgeline and E Pass level winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Clear in the evening with increasing patchy to broken high clouds overnight. Moderate to occasionally strong SE ridgeline and E Pass level winds.
Thursday Mostly cloudy in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon with light snow developing late morning or mid-day. Strong SE ridgeline and E Pass level winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Clear in the evening with increasing patchy to broken high clouds overnight. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday Partly sunny in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon with a chance of light snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Clear in the evening with increasing patchy to broken high clouds overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday Partly sunny in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon with light snow developing late morning. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. Clear in the evening with increasing patchy to broken high clouds overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Thursday Mostly cloudy in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon with light to occasionally moderate snow developing late morning. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Cold. A few high clouds in the evening, then cloudy with high overcast late. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds.
Thursday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow developing in the morning. Strong ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Precipitation (in)

Wednesday Night Thursday Thursday Night Friday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Paradise 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25
White Pass 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Timberline 0 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Friday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday 0.25 - 0.50

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Evening* Wednesday Night* Thursday Morning* Thursday Afternoon* Thursday Evening* Thursday Night* Friday Morning Friday Afternoon
Olympics 1000' 0 500' 2000' 500' 500' 500' 1500'
West North 0 0 0 1500' 500' 0 0 1500'
West Central 0 0 0 500' 500' 0 0 1500'
West South 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1500'
Stevens Pass 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1500'
East North 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1500'
East Central 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1500'
East South 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1500'
Mt. Hood 0 0 0 0 0 0 500' 1500'
Olympics Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 1000'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 500'
Thursday Afternoon* 2000'
Thursday Evening* 500'
Thursday Night* 500'
Friday Morning 500'
Friday Afternoon 1500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 1500'
Thursday Evening* 500'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning 0'
Friday Afternoon 1500'
West Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 500'
Thursday Evening* 500'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning 0'
Friday Afternoon 1500'
West South Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning 0'
Friday Afternoon 1500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning 0'
Friday Afternoon 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning 0'
Friday Afternoon 1500'
East North Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning 0'
Friday Afternoon 1500'
East Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning 0'
Friday Afternoon 1500'
East South Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning 0'
Friday Afternoon 1500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening* 0'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning* 0'
Thursday Afternoon* 0'
Thursday Evening* 0'
Thursday Night* 0'
Friday Morning 500'
Friday Afternoon 1500'

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2025

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Wednesday Night Thursday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 23 / 18 28 / 20
West North 18 / 13 27 / 17
West Central 14 / 9 23 / 10
West South 14 / 8 20 / 9
Stevens Pass 8 / 5 16 / 7
Snoqualmie Pass 10 / 6 17 / 8
East North 4 / -1 17 / 1
East Central 7 / 2 15 / 4
East South 8 / 3 15 / 5
Mt. Hood 14 / 8 21 / 10
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 23 / 18
Thursday 28 / 20
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 18 / 13
Thursday 27 / 17
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 14 / 9
Thursday 23 / 10
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 14 / 8
Thursday 20 / 9
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 8 / 5
Thursday 16 / 7
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 10 / 6
Thursday 17 / 8
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 4 / -1
Thursday 17 / 1
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 7 / 2
Thursday 15 / 4
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 8 / 3
Thursday 15 / 5
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 14 / 8
Thursday 21 / 10

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics SE 5-15 ESE 10-20 ESE 10-20 SE 15-25
West North SE 5-15 ESE 5-15 ESE 10-20 ESE 10-20
West Central SE 10-20 SE 15-25 ESE 15-25 ESE 15-25
West South ESE 15-25 SE 20-30 ESE 30-40 SE 20-30
Stevens Pass ESE 10-20 ESE 15-25 SE 25-35 SE 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30 SE 30-40 SE 20-30
East North SSE 5-15 SE 10-20 SSE 10-20 SSE 15-25
East Central SE 10-20 ESE 15-25 ESE 20-30 ESE 15-25
East South SE 10-20 ESE 15-25 ESE 15-25 ESE 15-25
Mt. Hood SE 15-25 SE 25-35 SE 25-35 SSE 10-20
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening SE 5-15
Wednesday Night ESE 10-20
Thursday Morning ESE 10-20
Thursday Afternoon SE 15-25
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening SE 5-15
Wednesday Night ESE 5-15
Thursday Morning ESE 10-20
Thursday Afternoon ESE 10-20
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening SE 10-20
Wednesday Night SE 15-25
Thursday Morning ESE 15-25
Thursday Afternoon ESE 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening ESE 15-25
Wednesday Night SE 20-30
Thursday Morning ESE 30-40
Thursday Afternoon SE 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening ESE 10-20
Wednesday Night ESE 15-25
Thursday Morning SE 25-35
Thursday Afternoon SE 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening ESE 15-25
Wednesday Night ESE 20-30
Thursday Morning SE 30-40
Thursday Afternoon SE 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening SSE 5-15
Wednesday Night SE 10-20
Thursday Morning SSE 10-20
Thursday Afternoon SSE 15-25
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening SE 10-20
Wednesday Night ESE 15-25
Thursday Morning ESE 20-30
Thursday Afternoon ESE 15-25
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening SE 10-20
Wednesday Night ESE 15-25
Thursday Morning ESE 15-25
Thursday Afternoon ESE 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening SE 15-25
Wednesday Night SE 25-35
Thursday Morning SE 25-35
Thursday Afternoon SSE 10-20

Issued: 2:10 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Extended Weather Synopsis

There should be a few leftover showers Friday night along the west slopes of the Cascades before a more significant storm system arrives on Saturday. Warm frontal moisture should push into the Cascades Saturday afternoon or evening with increasing storm conditions and a cold front passing through early Sunday morning.  A secondary impulse associated with the same low pressure system will arrive on Sunday.  The highest storm totals will likely favor the west slopes of the Cascades from Hwy 2 and south to Mt Hood. While snow levels will start low on Saturday, we'll see a slow but steady warming trend for all areas over the weekend, along a change to rain at low elevation trailheads. Unsettled weather will extend into early next week. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Friday Night Saturday * Saturday Night* Sunday *
West North 0 1500' 1500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 500' 2000' 1500' 3000'
Mt. Hood 1500' 2500' 4000' 4500'
West North Elevation
Friday Night 0'
Saturday * 1500'
Saturday Night* 1500'
Sunday * 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Night 500'
Saturday * 2000'
Saturday Night* 1500'
Sunday * 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Night 1500'
Saturday * 2500'
Saturday Night* 4000'
Sunday * 4500'

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

Previous forecast from Feb 12, 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’.