Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Monday, March 17, 2025
by Josh Lipkowitz

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

Weather Synopsis

After a relatively quiet day in the high country, bands of light snow showers are being pushed into the mountains on the coattails of increasing westerly winds. Accumulations will be generally light in most locations, but a modest Puget Sound Convergence Zone should lead to a bit more snow locally between Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass in the early evening hours. Near Mt Hood and the southern Volcanoes, more significant snow accumulation is expected overnight and early on Tuesday behind the departing surface low to the south. Most mountain locations dry out overnight as a quick ridge builds over Washington, and Mt Hood starts to clear out by Tuesday afternoon. There may be a passing snow shower here and there on Tuesday, but these should be light and short-lived. Expect low clouds in the morning, which linger for much of the day on the West Slopes, thinning and allowing for filtered sunshine in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Meanwhile, mid and upper-elevation slopes on both sides of the crest, and all elevations on the east side should see significant sunshine, seasonal temperatures, and moderate winds on Tuesday, making for a lovely day in the mountains.

The dry weather won’t last long as the next system arrives on Wednesday. Timing isn’t completely certain yet, but light precipitation should begin sometime in the afternoon hours with the heaviest snow arriving after dark and overnight Wednesday into Thursday. This system should bring snow to mountain trailheads and above, though Snoqualmie Pass may wind up on the edge of the rain/snow line, as it has for most of this season.

 

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
Monday Night A chance of light snow showers with moderate westerly winds, decreasing to light.
Tuesday Sunshine at the mid and upper elevations, and mostly cloudy skies partially thinning in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Light westerly winds increasing in the afternoon.
Monday Night A chance of light snow showers. Moderate westerly winds decrease a bit.
Tuesday A chance of a passing light snow shower, with sunshine at the mid and upper elevations. Mostly cloudy skies partially thinning in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Light westerly winds veer to the south and increase in the afternoon.
Monday Night Snow showers, especially in the evening, with moderate westerly winds. Locally heavier accumulations are possible.
Tuesday A chance of a passing light snow shower, with sunshine at the mid and upper elevations. Mostly cloudy skies partially thinning in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Moderate westerly winds.
Monday Night A chance of light snow showers. Moderate westerly winds decrease a bit.
Tuesday A chance of a passing light snow shower, with sunshine at the mid and upper elevations. Mostly cloudy skies partially thinning in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Moderate westerly winds.
Monday Night Snow showers, especially in the evening. Locally heavier accumulations are possible. Moderate westerly winds.
Tuesday A chance of a passing light snow shower, with sunshine at the mid and upper elevations. Mostly cloudy skies partially thinning in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Moderate westerly winds.
Monday Night Snow showers, and perhaps heavier snow for a few hours in the evening. Locally heavier accumulations are possible. Moderate westerly winds.
Tuesday A chance of a passing light snow shower, with sunshine at the mid and upper elevations. Mostly cloudy skies partially thinning in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Moderate westerly winds.
Monday Night A chance of light snow showers with moderate westerly winds.
Tuesday Sunshine at the mid and upper elevations, with partly cloudy skies partially thinning in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Moderate westerly winds.
Monday Night A chance of light snow showers with moderate to strong westerly winds.
Tuesday Sunshine at the mid and upper elevations, with partly cloudy skies partially thinning in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Moderate westerly winds decrease a bit in the afternoon.
Monday Night A chance of light snow showers with moderate to strong westerly winds.
Tuesday Sunshine at the mid and upper elevations, with partly cloudy skies partially thinning in the afternoon at the lower elevations. Moderate westerly winds decrease a bit in the afternoon.
Monday Night Snow, heavy at times. Moderate to strong westerly winds.
Tuesday Lingering snow showers in the morning with moderate to strong westerly winds. Clearing skies with sun breaks, especially at the mid and upper elevations in the afternoon.

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Monday, March 17, 2025

Precipitation (in)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Paradise LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
White Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Washington Pass LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Timberline 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Monday, March 17, 2025

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon*
Olympics 1500' 500' 500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000'
West North 1000' 500' 500' 2500' 2500' 1000' 2000' 3000'
West Central 1500' 1000' 1000' 2500' 2500' 1500' 2500' 3000'
West South 2000' 500' 500' 3000' 3500' 2500' 3000' 3000'
Stevens Pass 1500' 1000' 500' 3000' 2500' 1500' 2500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 1000' 1000' 3000' 3000' 2500' 2500' 3000'
East North 1000' 500' 500' 3000' 2500' 1000' 1500' 2500'
East Central 2000' 500' 500' 3500' 3500' 2000' 3000' 3000'
East South 2000' 1000' 1000' 3500' 3500' 2500' 3000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 2000' 1500' 1500' 2500' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening 1500'
Monday Night 500'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
Tuesday Evening 3000'
Tuesday Night 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening 1000'
Monday Night 500'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening 2500'
Tuesday Night 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening 1500'
Monday Night 1000'
Tuesday Morning 1000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening 2500'
Tuesday Night 1500'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 500'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 1500'
Monday Night 1000'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
Tuesday Evening 2500'
Tuesday Night 1500'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 1000'
Tuesday Morning 1000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
Tuesday Evening 3000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning* 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening 1000'
Monday Night 500'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
Tuesday Evening 2500'
Tuesday Night 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2500'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 500'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 2000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 1000'
Tuesday Morning 1000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening 2000'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 3000'
Wednesday Morning* 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3500'

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Monday, March 17, 2025

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 28 / 18 32 / 20
West North 28 / 18 32 / 20
West Central 28 / 18 32 / 20
West South 27 / 18 31 / 20
Stevens Pass 25 / 22 29 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 26 / 21 30 / 23
East North 25 / 14 29 / 16
East Central 27 / 15 31 / 17
East South 28 / 18 32 / 20
Mt. Hood 27 / 21 30 / 23
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 28 / 18
Tuesday 32 / 20
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 28 / 18
Tuesday 32 / 20
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 28 / 18
Tuesday 32 / 20
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 27 / 18
Tuesday 31 / 20
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 25 / 22
Tuesday 29 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 26 / 21
Tuesday 30 / 23
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 25 / 14
Tuesday 29 / 16
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 27 / 15
Tuesday 31 / 17
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 28 / 18
Tuesday 32 / 20
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 27 / 21
Tuesday 30 / 23

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Monday, March 17, 2025

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics W 10-20 W 5-15 WSW 0-10 SW 5-15
West North W 10-20 W 5-15 W 5-15 SSW 10-20
West Central NW 10-20 NW 10-20 W 5-15 W 5-15
West South W 15-25 WNW 10-20 W 10-20 W 10-20
Stevens Pass WNW 10-20 WNW 15-25 W 10-20 W 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass WNW 15-25 NW 15-25 WNW 10-20 WNW 15-25
East North WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20 W 10-20
East Central WNW 15-25 NW 20-30 WNW 20-30 WNW 10-20
East South WNW 15-25 WNW 15-25 WNW 15-25 WNW 10-20
Mt. Hood WNW 20-30 W 20-30 W 15-25 W 15-25
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 10-20
Monday Night W 5-15
Tuesday Morning WSW 0-10
Tuesday Afternoon SW 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 10-20
Monday Night W 5-15
Tuesday Morning W 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 10-20
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening NW 10-20
Monday Night NW 10-20
Tuesday Morning W 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon W 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 15-25
Monday Night WNW 10-20
Tuesday Morning W 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon W 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 10-20
Monday Night WNW 15-25
Tuesday Morning W 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon W 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 15-25
Monday Night NW 15-25
Tuesday Morning WNW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 15-25
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 10-20
Monday Night WNW 10-20
Tuesday Morning WNW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon W 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 15-25
Monday Night NW 20-30
Tuesday Morning WNW 20-30
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 15-25
Monday Night WNW 15-25
Tuesday Morning WNW 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 20-30
Monday Night W 20-30
Tuesday Morning W 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon W 15-25

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Monday, March 17, 2025

Extended Weather Synopsis

The storm train keeps going. Any break in the action after the first system will be brief, as a stronger storm arrives Thursday night into Friday, bringing significant precipitation and wind to the forecast area through Saturday. This one could be a bit warmer, putting the passes on the edge of liquid precipitation, though mid-elevations and above appear well-suited for significant snow accumulation. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night Thursday Thursday Night Friday
West North 3000' 2500' 2500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 2500' 3000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 3000' 2500' 3500' 3500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday 2500'
Thursday Night 2500'
Friday 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday 2500'
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night 3000'
Thursday 2500'
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday 3500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 17, 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’.