Issued: 2:17 PM PST Saturday, February 22, 2025
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

The Pacific Northwest remains in a very moist and strong SW flow as an atmospheric river bears down on the region through Sunday evening.

The most significant frontal wave of the atmospheric river reaches NW Washington and moves through the Cascades during the evening hours, spreading very heavy rain and higher-elevation snow throughout the region. The frontal wave is associated with a surface low tracking toward Heida Gwaii. The heaviest of the precipitation is likely to shift towards the central and southern Cascades as the night progresses, with the strongest SSW and SW ridgeline winds likely to be during the evening hours in the 20-30 mph range as snow levels peak in the 6000-9000 ft range.

Very heavy precipitation continues between frontal waves Sunday morning for the southern half of the Cascades with snow levels in the 5500-8500 ft range. Light to moderate precipitation can be expected further north and in the Olympics. In these areas, snow levels lower to 4500-5500 ft in the morning, rising to 5500-7000 ft in the afternoon. The final wave shifts SW flow more SSW in the afternoon and lifts heavy moisture back into the central and possibly northern Cascades. Moderate to heavy rain and snow continue Sunday evening and become light to moderate overnight as the final wave of moisture lifts NE of the area. Snow levels gradually lower throughout the night. 

A deep low pressure off the Oregon coast approaches the region with a warm front Monday morning, spreading light rain and snow into the southern Cascades and Olympics. That precipitation intensifies throughout the afternoon and spreads north to the Canadian border with E flow, enabling significant spillover to the east slopes of the Cascades.

 

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
Saturday Night Decreasing moderate to rain and higher elevation snow (heavy in the southern part).
Sunday Light rain and higher elevation snow in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon as ridgeline winds increase into the moderate range.
Saturday Night Very heavy rain and higher elevation snow in the evening becoming moderate overnight. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Light rain and higher-elevation snow in the morning becomes moderate to heavy in the afternoon as winds increase into the moderate range.
Saturday Night Very heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Increasing heavy rain and higher elevations snow.
Saturday Night Very heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Increasing heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Light ridgeline winds become moderate.
Saturday Night Very heavy rain and snow at higher elevations. Moderate ridgeline winds. Light E wind at the Pass switches W overnight.
Sunday Increasing heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Light ridgeline winds become moderate at the Pass. Light W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Night Very heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate ridgeline winds. Light E wind at the Pass switches W overnight.
Sunday Increasing heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Light ridgeline winds become moderate at the Pass. Light W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Night Very heavy rain and snow. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Increasing moderate rain and snow. Mostly light ridgeline winds.
Saturday Night Very heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Increasing moderate to heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Night Heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Increasing moderate to heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Night Very heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds peak during the evening hours.
Sunday Very heavy rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate ridgeline winds become strong.

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Saturday, February 22, 2025

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 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 1.00 - 1.50 0.50 1.00 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 2.00 0.75 0.75 0.25
Stevens Pass 1.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 2.00 1.00 0.75 0.25
Crystal Mt 1.00 - 1.50 0.75 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise 2.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.50
White Pass 1.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass 1.00 - 1.50 0.50 0.75 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 1.50 0.75 0.50 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.75 0.75 -1.00 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 1.50 - 2.00 2.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.50
Timberline 1.50 - 2.00 2.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Sunday 0.50
Sunday Night 1.00
Monday 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 2.00
Sunday 0.75
Sunday Night 0.75
Monday 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 1.50
Sunday 0.50 - 0.75
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 2.00
Sunday 1.00
Sunday Night 0.75
Monday 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Sunday 0.75
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 2.50
Sunday 1.00 - 1.50
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday 0.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 1.50
Sunday 1.00 - 1.50
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Sunday 0.50
Sunday Night 0.75
Monday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 1.50
Sunday 0.75
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.75
Sunday 0.75 -1.00
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 1.50 - 2.00
Sunday 2.50
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday 0.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 1.50 - 2.00
Sunday 2.50
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday 0.50

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Saturday, February 22, 2025

Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Evening* Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon* Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning* Monday Afternoon*
Olympics 7000' 5500' 5500' 6000' 4500' 3500' 3500' 4000'
West North 6500' 5500' 4500' 5500' 5000' 4000' 3500' 3500'
West Central 7000' 6000' 5500' 6500' 5500' 4000' 3500' 4000'
West South 7500' 7000' 7000' 7000' 5500' 4000' 3500' 5000'
Stevens Pass 7000' 6000' 5500' 6500' 5500' 4000' 3500' 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass 7500' 6500' 6000' 7000' 5500' 4000' 3500' 4000'
East North 6000' 5500' 5000' 5500' 5500' 4000' 3000' 3500'
East Central 7000' 6500' 6000' 7000' 5500' 4000' 3500' 4000'
East South 8000' 7500' 7500' 7000' 6000' 4000' 4000' 5000'
Mt. Hood 8500' 8500' 8500' 8000' 6500' 5000' 5000' 5500'
Olympics Elevation
Saturday Evening* 7000'
Saturday Night 5500'
Sunday Morning 5500'
Sunday Afternoon* 6000'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 3500'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
West North Elevation
Saturday Evening* 6500'
Saturday Night 5500'
Sunday Morning 4500'
Sunday Afternoon* 5500'
Sunday Evening 5000'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon* 3500'
West Central Elevation
Saturday Evening* 7000'
Saturday Night 6000'
Sunday Morning 5500'
Sunday Afternoon* 6500'
Sunday Evening 5500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
West South Elevation
Saturday Evening* 7500'
Saturday Night 7000'
Sunday Morning 7000'
Sunday Afternoon* 7000'
Sunday Evening 5500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon* 5000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening* 7000'
Saturday Night 6000'
Sunday Morning 5500'
Sunday Afternoon* 6500'
Sunday Evening 5500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening* 7500'
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday Morning 6000'
Sunday Afternoon* 7000'
Sunday Evening 5500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
East North Elevation
Saturday Evening* 6000'
Saturday Night 5500'
Sunday Morning 5000'
Sunday Afternoon* 5500'
Sunday Evening 5500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon* 3500'
East Central Elevation
Saturday Evening* 7000'
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday Morning 6000'
Sunday Afternoon* 7000'
Sunday Evening 5500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon* 4000'
East South Elevation
Saturday Evening* 8000'
Saturday Night 7500'
Sunday Morning 7500'
Sunday Afternoon* 7000'
Sunday Evening 6000'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning* 4000'
Monday Afternoon* 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening* 8500'
Saturday Night 8500'
Sunday Morning 8500'
Sunday Afternoon* 8000'
Sunday Evening 6500'
Sunday Night 5000'
Monday Morning* 5000'
Monday Afternoon* 5500'

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Saturday, February 22, 2025

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Saturday Night Sunday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 35 / 31 36 / 30
West North 36 / 32 35 / 29
West Central 36 / 32 37 / 31
West South 36 / 32 38 / 31
Stevens Pass 35 / 32 39 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 36 / 31 36 / 31
East North 33 / 30 38 / 31
East Central 35 / 32 37 / 31
East South 38 / 34 39 / 32
Mt. Hood 40 / 39 41 / 38
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 35 / 31
Sunday 36 / 30
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 36 / 32
Sunday 35 / 29
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 36 / 32
Sunday 37 / 31
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 36 / 32
Sunday 38 / 31
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 35 / 32
Sunday 39 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 36 / 31
Sunday 36 / 31
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 33 / 30
Sunday 38 / 31
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 35 / 32
Sunday 37 / 31
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 38 / 34
Sunday 39 / 32
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 40 / 39
Sunday 41 / 38

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Saturday, February 22, 2025

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics SW 10-20 SW 10-20 SSW 5-15 SSW 15-25
West North SSW 15-25 SW 10-20 SW 5-15 S 15-25
West Central SW 20-30 WSW 10-20 SW 5-15 S 10-20
West South SW 20-30 WSW 5-15 WSW 0-10 SW 15-25
Stevens Pass SW 10-20 WSW 10-20 WSW 5-15 SSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass SW 15-25 W 10-20 WSW 5-15 S 15-25
East North SSW 15-25 SW 10-20 WSW 10-20 SSW 5-15
East Central SW 20-30 W 15-25 W 10-20 SW 10-20
East South SW 20-30 WSW 15-25 W 10-20 SW 10-20
Mt. Hood SW 25-35 SW 20-30 SW 20-30 SW 30-40
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 10-20
Saturday Night SW 10-20
Sunday Morning SSW 5-15
Sunday Afternoon SSW 15-25
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SSW 15-25
Saturday Night SW 10-20
Sunday Morning SW 5-15
Sunday Afternoon S 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 20-30
Saturday Night WSW 10-20
Sunday Morning SW 5-15
Sunday Afternoon S 10-20
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 20-30
Saturday Night WSW 5-15
Sunday Morning WSW 0-10
Sunday Afternoon SW 15-25
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 10-20
Saturday Night WSW 10-20
Sunday Morning WSW 5-15
Sunday Afternoon SSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 15-25
Saturday Night W 10-20
Sunday Morning WSW 5-15
Sunday Afternoon S 15-25
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SSW 15-25
Saturday Night SW 10-20
Sunday Morning WSW 10-20
Sunday Afternoon SSW 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 20-30
Saturday Night W 15-25
Sunday Morning W 10-20
Sunday Afternoon SW 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 20-30
Saturday Night WSW 15-25
Sunday Morning W 10-20
Sunday Afternoon SW 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 25-35
Saturday Night SW 20-30
Sunday Morning SW 20-30
Sunday Afternoon SW 30-40

Issued: 2:17 PM PST Saturday, February 22, 2025

Extended Weather Synopsis

Moderate to heavy rain and snow continue Monday night and Tuesday as the low moves onshore. Expect decreasing moderate rain and snow on Tuesday as the low moves inland into British Columbia. Expect a return to snow at Stevens Pass and Mt Baker ski area bases with this event. A ridge develops Tuesday night and expands Wednesday bringing much milder conditions and moderate to strong E flow.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Monday Night* Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday *
West North 4000' 3500' 3500' 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass 4000' 3500' 4000' 5000'
Mt. Hood 4000' 4000' 4000' 8000'
West North Elevation
Monday Night* 4000'
Tuesday 3500'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday * 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night* 4000'
Tuesday 3500'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday * 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night* 4000'
Tuesday 4000'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday * 8000'

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

Previous forecast from Feb 22, 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’.

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