Issued: 2:59 PM PDT Friday, March 21, 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 weekend's first half features the tail end of our cold and snowy pattern. It won’t last as our region transitions to warm and wet weather. The frontal wave over southern portions of the forecast region shifts eastward early Friday evening. In its wake, a comma cloud moves onshore, reaching the Cascades for heavier and more sustained precipitation in the late evening hours. It arrives with a strong push of W winds, gradual cooling, and snow levels lowering from 3500 to 2000 ft by Saturday morning. While most areas experience decreasing light to moderate snow showers overnight, convergence maintains a narrow band of heavier snowfall in the vicinity of Stevens Pass, potentially bringing overnight totals there to 8-14". Most other areas west of the Cascade Crest can expect 3-10" while areas east of the Cascade Crest can expect 2-6". A weak ridge on Saturday brings decreasing light to moderate W winds and a tapering of light snow showers along the west slopes of the Cascades. Expect partial sunshine in the mid-day hours before mid-level clouds increase and thicken late in the day.

A weak atmospheric river initially brings light rain and snow on Saturday night with models trending towards this arriving a few hours earlier than originally forecast. Widespread moderate to heavy precipitation peaks on Sunday as snow levels rise to 4500-7000 ft by the afternoon. Strong S winds initially focus on Mt Baker early Sunday, then shift WSW getting most areas into the stormy conditions.

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
Friday Night Decreasing light rain and snow showers.
Saturday Partly cloudy with isolated snow showers or flurries.
Friday Night Moderate rain and snow in the evening becomes light and showery overnight.
Saturday Scattered light rain and snow showers and dissipating convergence early. Partial clearing in the mid-day hours.
Friday Night Decreasing moderate rain and snow becomes showery overnight, but may be locally heavy in strong convergence band). Decreasing moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Scattered light rain and snow showers and dissipating convergence early. Partial clearing in the mid-day hours.
Friday Night Decreasing light to moderate rain and snow showers. Decreasing moderate winds may be strong at times near the Cascade Crest.
Saturday Isolated light rain and snow showers early. Partial clearing in the mid-day hours.
Friday Night Decreasing moderate rain and snow becomes showery overnight, but may be locally heavy in strong convergence band). Moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers early, then partly cloudy in the mid-day hours. Clouds increase late in the day. Light ridgeline and W winds at the Pass.
Friday Night Decreasing moderate rain and snow becomes showery overnight, but may be locally heavy in strong convergence band). Moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers early, then partly cloudy in the mid-day hours. Clouds increase late in the day. Light to moderate ridgeline winds become light. Light W winds at the Pass.
Friday Night Decreasing light rain and snow showers.
Saturday A few rain and snow showers in the western part early, then becoming partly cloudy. Light to moderate ridgeline winds become light.
Friday Night Decreasing light to moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday A few rain and snow showers in the western part early, then becoming partly cloudy. Light to moderate ridgeline winds become light.
Friday Night Decreasing light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Partly cloudy. Light to moderate ridgeline winds become light.
Friday Night Decreasing moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Saturday Isolated light snow showers with partial clearing in the mid-day hours.

Issued: 2:59 PM PDT Friday, March 21, 2025

Precipitation (in)

Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.25 0 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0.25 1.00 - 1.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.75 -1.00 LT 0.25 0.25 1.50
Stevens Pass 0.75 -1.00 LT 0.25 0.25 1.00 - 1.50
Snoqualmie Pass 0.75 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50
Crystal Mt 0.25 0 LT 0.10 0.50
Paradise 0.50 LT 0.10 0.50 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0 0.25 0.50 - 0.75
Washington Pass 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.50 - 0.75
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.25 - 0.50 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline 0.50 LT 0.10 0.25 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 1.00 - 1.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.75 -1.00
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 1.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.75 -1.00
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 1.00 - 1.50
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.75
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday 1.00 - 1.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25
Saturday 0
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.50
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night 0.50
Sunday 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.50 - 0.75
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.50 - 0.75
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0.75
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0.50
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.50

Issued: 2:59 PM PDT Friday, March 21, 2025

Snow Level (ft)

Friday Evening Friday Night Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics 2500' 2000' 2000' 3500' 2500' 3500' 5500' 7000'
West North 2000' 2000' 1500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 3000' 4500'
West Central 2500' 2000' 1500' 2000' 2500' 2500' 4000' 5000'
West South 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 3000' 4000' 5000' 6000'
Stevens Pass 3000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 4000' 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2500' 3000' 4500' 7000'
East North 2500' 1500' 1500' 4000' 2500' 2000' 3000' 5000'
East Central 3000' 2000' 2000' 4000' 2500' 3000' 4000' 5500'
East South 3500' 2000' 2500' 4000' 3000' 4000' 5000' 6000'
Mt. Hood 4000' 3000' 2500' 3000' 4500' 5500' 6000' 7000'
Olympics Elevation
Friday Evening 2500'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 2000'
Saturday Afternoon 3500'
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 3500'
Sunday Morning 5500'
Sunday Afternoon 7000'
West North Elevation
Friday Evening 2000'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 1500'
Saturday Afternoon 2000'
Saturday Evening 2000'
Saturday Night 2000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
West Central Elevation
Friday Evening 2500'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 1500'
Saturday Afternoon 2000'
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 2500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 5000'
West South Elevation
Friday Evening 3000'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 2000'
Saturday Afternoon 2500'
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 5000'
Sunday Afternoon 6000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening 3000'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 2000'
Saturday Afternoon 2000'
Saturday Evening 2000'
Saturday Night 2500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening 3000'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 2000'
Saturday Afternoon 2500'
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 3000'
Sunday Morning 4500'
Sunday Afternoon 7000'
East North Elevation
Friday Evening 2500'
Friday Night 1500'
Saturday Morning 1500'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 2000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 5000'
East Central Elevation
Friday Evening 3000'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 2000'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 3000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 5500'
East South Elevation
Friday Evening 3500'
Friday Night 2000'
Saturday Morning 2500'
Saturday Afternoon 4000'
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 5000'
Sunday Afternoon 6000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening 4000'
Friday Night 3000'
Saturday Morning 2500'
Saturday Afternoon 3000'
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 5500'
Sunday Morning 6000'
Sunday Afternoon 7000'

Issued: 2:59 PM PDT Friday, March 21, 2025

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Friday Night Saturday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 28 / 21 31 / 19
West North 27 / 22 29 / 22
West Central 30 / 23 28 / 23
West South 30 / 22 32 / 20
Stevens Pass 31 / 24 30 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 29 / 23 29 / 23
East North 28 / 19 29 / 19
East Central 30 / 22 31 / 22
East South 32 / 22 33 / 21
Mt. Hood 32 / 25 36 / 25
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 28 / 21
Saturday 31 / 19
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 27 / 22
Saturday 29 / 22
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 30 / 23
Saturday 28 / 23
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 30 / 22
Saturday 32 / 20
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 31 / 24
Saturday 30 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 29 / 23
Saturday 29 / 23
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 28 / 19
Saturday 29 / 19
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 30 / 22
Saturday 31 / 22
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 32 / 22
Saturday 33 / 21
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 32 / 25
Saturday 36 / 25

Issued: 2:59 PM PDT Friday, March 21, 2025

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:59 PM PDT Friday, March 21, 2025

Extended Weather Synopsis

Precipitation gradually decreases as the trailing front stalls over the area Sunday night through Monday. Tuesday will genuinely feel like Spring with unseasonably warm, sunny weather and 9000-11,000 ft freezing levels.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
West North 5500' 5500' 6000' 7000'
Snoqualmie Pass 7000' 6500' 7000' 9500'
Mt. Hood 7500' 7500' 9500' 11000'
West North Elevation
Sunday Night 5500'
Monday 5500'
Monday Night 6000'
Tuesday 7000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night 7000'
Monday 6500'
Monday Night 7000'
Tuesday 9500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night 7500'
Monday 7500'
Monday Night 9500'
Tuesday 11000'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 21, 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’.