Issued: 2:23 PM PDT Sunday, March 9, 2025
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

Overall today was much sunnier than expected. Our storm system pulled further north into Canada and has been slow to begin its journey inland. It's finally on the move this afternoon bringing rain and snow to the Olympics, North Cascades, and Mt Loop Hwy areas. An associated cold front will cross the region overnight with a short but rather intense period of rain/snow and gusty winds. Precipitation will spread from NW to SE reaching the I-90 corridor in the evening and the Mt Hood and Mission Ridge areas a little before midnight. Generally moderate to strong and gusty winds accompanying the front will make it feel quite stormy. Cooling temperatures should bring a change from rain to snow at pass elevations with enough moisture left over to ring out several inches of snow at road level by Monday morning. 

A Puget Sound Convergence Zone forms in the wake of the exiting front bringing locally heavier precipitation to areas between Hwy 2 and I-90. Elsewhere, low level moisture and onshore flow should form a few showers in areas near and west of the crest. Showers may continue into the morning hours, but overall a dry pocket of air will shift over the region. You could see partly to mostly sunny skies in many locations during the morning. Eventually, overcast skies should return sometime in the afternoon. 

Generally zonal (W to E) flow aloft, will prevent the region from fully drying out. As a result, we can't rule out an isolated shower here or there Monday night into Tuesday morning. With a broad open trough developing offshore, the best chance for precipitation will be in the northern half of the forecast region. As the low pressure trough grows, our next storm system will push inland. Overall it looks like the bulk of the snow holds off until Tuesday night, but it could arrive a bit early bringing showers to the western zones before sunset. 

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
Sunday Night Rain and snow heaviest in the evening, then becoming. showery. Light to moderate W winds decreasing.
Monday Mostly sunny in the morning with increasing clouds during the day. A few isolated showers possible.
Sunday Night Rain and snow, heaviest in the evening with cooling. Light to moderate W winds.
Monday Partly to mostly cloudy in the morning with increasing clouds during the day. A few isolated showers possible.
Sunday Night Rain and snow, heaviest in the evening with a cooling trend. Light to moderate WNW winds becoming stronger overnight. A short-lived Puget Sound Convergence Zone could affect the Hwy 2 to I-90 area.
Monday A few showers mainly in the early morning. Sun breaks possible, then increasing clouds in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Rain and snow heaviest in the evening, then becoming showery. Moderate and gusty W winds decreasing.
Monday Partly to mostly sunny in the morning with increasing high clouds late in the day. A few isolated showers possible.
Sunday Night Rain and snow heaviest in the evening. Becoming showery with a Puget Sound Convergence Zone affecting the Hwy 2 to I-90 area. Light to moderate W winds.
Monday Cloudy with a few showers in the morning, then sun breaks possible before high clouds increase in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Rain and snow, heaviest in the evening. Becoming showery with a Puget Sound Convergence Zone possibly impacting the Pass. Moderate and gusty W winds.
Monday A few showers mainly in the morning. Then a chance for sun breaks before high clouds increase in the afternoon.
Sunday Night Rain and snow mainly in the evening. Quickly becoming showery overnight. Moderate and gusty W winds.
Monday Partly to mostly sunny in the morning, then clouds increasing and lowering.
Sunday Night Rain and snow heaviest near the crest in the evening. Then becoming showery. Moderate to strong and gusty WSW winds turning WNW.
Monday A few showers possible near the crest primarily in the morning. Partly to mostly sunny, then increasing clouds during the day. Light to moderate WNW winds decreasing.
Sunday Night Rain and snow heaviest near the crest in the evening. Then becoming showery. Moderate to strong and gusty WSW winds turning WNW and decreasing slightly.
Monday A few showers possible near the crest primarily in the morning. Partly to mostly sunny, then increasing clouds during the day.
Sunday Night Rain and snow developing overnight with cooling temperatures. Very strong and gusty WSW winds turning W and decreasing slightly.
Monday A few showers mainly in the morning. Partly to mostly cloudy. Light to moderate WSW winds.

Issued: 2:23 PM PDT Sunday, March 9, 2025

Precipitation (in)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.75 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Paradise 0.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
White Pass 0.50 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.25 0 0 0
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Timberline 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.75
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.50
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10

Issued: 2:23 PM PDT Sunday, March 9, 2025

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon*
Olympics 3000' 2000' 2000' 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 3500'
West North 3000' 2000' 1500' 2500' 1500' 1500' 2000' 3000'
West Central 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 3500'
West South 4500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 4000'
Stevens Pass 4000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 4500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 3500'
East North 4000' 1500' 1500' 2000' 1500' 1000' 1500' 3000'
East Central 4500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2000' 1500' 1500' 3000'
East South 4500' 2500' 2000' 2500' 2500' 1500' 2000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 5000' 3000' 2500' 3500' 3000' 2500' 2500' 4500'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday Morning 1500'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Monday Evening 1500'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 4000'
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3500'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening 4000'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 1500'
Monday Afternoon 2000'
Monday Evening 1500'
Monday Night 1000'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 2000'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 2500'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Monday Evening 2500'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening 5000'
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 4500'

Issued: 2:23 PM PDT Sunday, March 9, 2025

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 29 / 23 30 / 23
West North 32 / 27 31 / 26
West Central 32 / 27 31 / 27
West South 33 / 23 31 / 22
Stevens Pass 33 / 26 29 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 34 / 27 29 / 24
East North 29 / 19 27 / 19
East Central 36 / 22 32 / 22
East South 34 / 21 31 / 20
Mt. Hood 35 / 26 33 / 26
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 23
Monday 30 / 23
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 27
Monday 31 / 26
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 27
Monday 31 / 27
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 33 / 23
Monday 31 / 22
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 33 / 26
Monday 29 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 34 / 27
Monday 29 / 24
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 29 / 19
Monday 27 / 19
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 36 / 22
Monday 32 / 22
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 34 / 21
Monday 31 / 20
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 35 / 26
Monday 33 / 26

Issued: 2:23 PM PDT Sunday, March 9, 2025

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:23 PM PDT Sunday, March 9, 2025

Extended Weather Synopsis

A broad open trough continues to grow off the coast providing plenty of cool air, moisture, and an unstable atmosphere. All of these variables are good if you like fresh snow. The first storm seems to arrive Tuesday evening. Precipitation washes over the Olympics and Cascades bringing a decent shot of snow to most trailheads. While showers could continue Wednesday, right now this looks like a relative break in the action. A second wave of moisture rolls in overnight and into Thursday. There are still plenty of details to work out with both the Tuesday and Thursday (and possibly Fri/Sat) storms, but it's pretty clear we're in for an active weather pattern this week 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night* Wednesday * Wednesday Night Thursday
West North 2500' 3000' 2000' 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 3500' 2500' 2000'
Mt. Hood 3500' 4000' 3000' 2500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2500'
Wednesday * 3000'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night* 3000'
Wednesday * 3500'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday 2000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night* 3500'
Wednesday * 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday 2500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 9, 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’.