Issued: 6:59 AM PDT Wednesday, March 12, 2025
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

SSW flow continues to bring moisture into the Pacific Northwest ahead of a cold front slowly approaching the coastline. An initial N-S oriented rain band should exit the Cascades by 7 or 8 AM. Some areas will experience a relative break embedded in the frontal boundary, bringing steadier precipitation from SSW to NNE from the mid-morning through afternoon hours. Most areas will receive light rain and snow, but the volcanoes and other areas favored by the flow direction should expect moderate amounts. Snow levels should rise within the 3000-4000 ft range, peaking in the early afternoon and may be slightly lower E of the Cascade Crest with light upslope E flow.

A more substantial frontal wave currently off the California coast tracks toward the region overnight, bringing another period of moderate precipitation into the region. This feature tracks east of the Cascades, maintaining SE flow ahead of it, but flow switches W in its wake during the early morning hours as snow levels drop below Snoqualmie Pass. In the Mt Hood area, ridgeline winds will be strong through mid-morning Wednesday, tapering slightly in the afternoon. On Thursday, light to moderate and increasingly convective shower activity continues with drastically lower snow levels (1000-2000 ft). Thunderstorms remain possible in the afternoon, particularly in southern portions of the forecast region. Locally heavy precipitation is likely in convergence bands focusing on the Mountain Loop or Mt Baker areas.

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 Periods of light rain and snow in the northern Olympics (moderate in southern and eastern Olympics).
Wednesday Night Light rain and snow showers.
Wednesday Moderate rain and snow. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Moderate rain and snow.
Wednesday Light to moderate rain and snow.
Wednesday Night Moderate rain and snow.
Wednesday Moderate rain and snow at Paradise and Crystal; mostly light at White Pass.
Wednesday Night Light to moderate rain and snow. Ridgeline winds increase into the moderate range in the early morning hours.
Wednesday Periods of light rain and snow. Light ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Wednesday Night Moderate rain and snow. Mostly light ridgeline and E wind switches W at the Pass overnight.
Wednesday Periods of light rain and snow (moderate intensity at times). Light to occasionally moderate ridgeline and E wind at the Pass.
Wednesday Night Moderate rain and snow. Mostly light ridgeline and E wind switches W at the Pass overnight.
Wednesday Periods of light rain and snow.
Wednesday Night Light to moderate rain and snow increases overnight.
Wednesday Periods of light rain and snow.
Wednesday Night Light to moderate rain and snow increases overnight.
Wednesday Periods of light rain and snow.
Wednesday Night Light rain and snow.
Wednesday Periods of light to occasionally moderate rain and snow become steadier in the afternoon. Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Light to moderate rain and snow. Light and variable ridgeline winds increase into the moderate to strong range in the early morning hours.

Precipitation (in)

Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 0.50 0.50
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 0.50 0.50
Crystal Mt 0.25 0.50 LT 0.10
Paradise 0.50 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Washington Pass LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Timberline 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Thursday 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday 0.25

Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon* Wednesday Evening* Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics 3500' 3500' 3000' 2000' 1500' 1500'
West North 3000' 3500' 3500' 2500' 2000' 1500'
West Central 3500' 4000' 4000' 3000' 2000' 1500'
West South 3500' 4000' 40000' 3000' 2000' 1500'
Stevens Pass 3500' 4000' 4000' 3000' 2000' 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 4000' 4000' 3000' 2000' 1500'
East North 3000' 4000' 4000' 3000' 2000' 1500'
East Central 3500' 4000' 4000' 3000' 2000' 1500'
East South 4000' 4500' 4000' 3000' 2000' 1500'
Mt. Hood 4500' 4500' 4000' 3000' 2000' 1500'
Olympics Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
Wednesday Evening* 3000'
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday Morning 1500'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'
Wednesday Evening* 3500'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'
West Central Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Wednesday Evening* 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'
West South Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Wednesday Evening* 40000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Wednesday Evening* 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Wednesday Evening* 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'
East North Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Wednesday Evening* 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'
East Central Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4000'
Wednesday Evening* 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'
East South Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
Wednesday Evening* 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning* 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 4500'
Wednesday Evening* 4000'
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday Morning 2000'
Thursday Afternoon 1500'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Wednesday Wednesday Night
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 30 / 27 28 / 20
West North 31 / 25 30 / 24
West Central 33 / 25 30 / 23
West South 34 / 27 32 / 22
Stevens Pass 33 / 24 31 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 32 / 26 31 / 22
East North 31 / 21 30 / 26
East Central 33 / 25 31 / 23
East South 35 / 26 33 / 23
Mt. Hood 36 / 29 32 / 23
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 30 / 27
Wednesday Night 28 / 20
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 31 / 25
Wednesday Night 30 / 24
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 33 / 25
Wednesday Night 30 / 23
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 34 / 27
Wednesday Night 32 / 22
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 33 / 24
Wednesday Night 31 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 32 / 26
Wednesday Night 31 / 22
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 31 / 21
Wednesday Night 30 / 26
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 33 / 25
Wednesday Night 31 / 23
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 35 / 26
Wednesday Night 33 / 23
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday 36 / 29
Wednesday Night 32 / 23

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night
Olympics SSW 10-20 SSW 5-15 SSW 0-10 W 0-10
West North S 20-30 SSE 15-25 SSW 5-15 W 0-10
West Central SSE 5-15 SE 10-20 SE 5-15 W 5-15
West South SSW 5-15 SSW 5-15 SW 5-15 W 10-20
Stevens Pass S 0-10 SE 5-15 ESE 5-15 W 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass SE 5-15 SE 10-20 SE 5-15 W 10-20
East North S 5-15 SE 5-15 SE 5-15 WNW 5-15
East Central SSW 5-15 S 5-15 ESE 5-15 W 10-20
East South SSW 5-15 S 5-15 ESE 0-10 W 10-20
Mt. Hood SW 15-25 SW 10-20 W 0-10 W 20-30
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning SSW 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 5-15
Wednesday Evening SSW 0-10
Wednesday Night W 0-10
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning S 20-30
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 15-25
Wednesday Evening SSW 5-15
Wednesday Night W 0-10
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning SSE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SE 10-20
Wednesday Evening SE 5-15
Wednesday Night W 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning SSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 5-15
Wednesday Evening SW 5-15
Wednesday Night W 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning S 0-10
Wednesday Afternoon SE 5-15
Wednesday Evening ESE 5-15
Wednesday Night W 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning SE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SE 10-20
Wednesday Evening SE 5-15
Wednesday Night W 10-20
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning S 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon SE 5-15
Wednesday Evening SE 5-15
Wednesday Night WNW 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning SSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon S 5-15
Wednesday Evening ESE 5-15
Wednesday Night W 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning SSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon S 5-15
Wednesday Evening ESE 0-10
Wednesday Night W 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Morning SW 15-25
Wednesday Afternoon SW 10-20
Wednesday Evening W 0-10
Wednesday Night W 20-30

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

Previous forecast from Mar 11, 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’.