Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Wednesday, March 26, 2025
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis

Scattered showers added some additional cloud cover today, but spring-like temperatures are in full force with afternoon mountain readings in the upper 40s to low 60s. The main shower and thunderstorm focus is still slotted for this evening as a frontal system approaches the coast. The front will take advantage of favorable convective atmospheric conditions, like a relatively humid and unstable air mass, to produce a widespread area of showers and potentially severe thunderstorms late this afternoon through the evening. Once the showers and T-storms get rolling, they should spread from south to north over the area this evening, and then drift further east later tonight. All areas are likely to be impacted, but areas west of the Cascade crest have the best chances for severe thunderstorms, with heavy downpours, large hail, and strong gusty winds. Make sure you're not caught out in these storms later today and tonight. 

Showers will become less intense later tonight as the front pushes through and snow levels will finally begin to drop a bit, especially after midnight. A stacked upper low offshore will drift closer on Thursday, keeping showers in the forecast with high uncertainty regarding timing. The Olympics and the Mt Hood area have the best chance of seeing more moderate showers on Thursday. There will be a chance of afternoon thunderstorms on Thursday, but if they do develop, they'll be less intense than the storms we're talking about for Wednesday evening. 

Unsettled weather shows no signs of relenting to end the work week. The same low-pressure system will rotate another round of showers Thursday night and again on Friday.  Snow levels will cool to levels not seen since last week, falling to 4000-4500' overnight Thursday and only rising slightly on Friday. 

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 Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Mostly cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms developing in the evening, then lighter showers late tonight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Moderate to locally heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light WSW ridgeline winds in the morning, becoming light to moderate SE winds in the afternoon. Light east winds at Pass level.
Wednesday Night Moderate to locally heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light WSW ridgeline winds in the morning, becoming light to moderate SE winds in the afternoon. Light east winds at Pass level.
Wednesday Night Moderate showers or thunderstorms developing later in the evening, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then lighter showers late tonight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Moderate showers or thunderstorms developing in the evening, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then lighter showers late tonight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Moderate showers or thunderstorms in the evening, heaviest near the Cascade crest, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday Night Moderate to heavy showers or thunderstorms in the evening, then lighter showers after midnight. Thunderstorms may produce hail and strong gusty winds.
Thursday Partly sunny to mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon. Slight chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon Thursday Evening Thursday Night Friday Morning Friday Afternoon
Olympics 8000' 6000' 5000' 6000' 5500' 4500' 4500' 4500'
West North 8500' 6500' 5000' 6500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 4500'
West Central 8500' 6500' 5000' 6500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 4500'
West South 8500' 6500' 5000' 6500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 5000'
Stevens Pass 8500' 6500' 5000' 6500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass 8500' 6500' 5000' 6500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 5000'
East North 8500' 7000' 5500' 6500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 5500'
East Central 8500' 7000' 5500' 6500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 5500'
East South 8500' 7000' 5500' 6500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 5500'
Mt. Hood 9000' 7000' 6000' 6500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 5500'
Olympics Elevation
Wednesday Evening 8000'
Wednesday Night 6000'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 6000'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Evening 8500'
Wednesday Night 6500'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
West Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening 8500'
Wednesday Night 6500'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
West South Elevation
Wednesday Evening 8500'
Wednesday Night 6500'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening 8500'
Wednesday Night 6500'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening 8500'
Wednesday Night 6500'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
East North Elevation
Wednesday Evening 8500'
Wednesday Night 7000'
Thursday Morning 5500'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5500'
East Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening 8500'
Wednesday Night 7000'
Thursday Morning 5500'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5500'
East South Elevation
Wednesday Evening 8500'
Wednesday Night 7000'
Thursday Morning 5500'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening 9000'
Wednesday Night 7000'
Thursday Morning 6000'
Thursday Afternoon 6500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5500'

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Wednesday, March 26, 2025

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Wednesday Night Thursday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 47 / 29 35 / 26
West North 47 / 33 37 / 31
West Central 45 / 33 37 / 31
West South 46 / 32 36 / 29
Stevens Pass 48 / 34 41 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 45 / 33 38 / 30
East North 46 / 35 40 / 32
East Central 46 / 34 39 / 31
East South 51 / 33 38 / 29
Mt. Hood 50 / 34 39 / 31
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 47 / 29
Thursday 35 / 26
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 47 / 33
Thursday 37 / 31
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 45 / 33
Thursday 37 / 31
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 46 / 32
Thursday 36 / 29
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 48 / 34
Thursday 41 / 31
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 45 / 33
Thursday 38 / 30
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 46 / 35
Thursday 40 / 32
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 46 / 34
Thursday 39 / 31
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 51 / 33
Thursday 38 / 29
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 50 / 34
Thursday 39 / 31

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:31 PM PDT Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Extended Weather Synopsis

The upper low becomes an open upper level trough late Friday into Saturday, lifting northeast across the area. Expect cool conditions and generally lighter showers, although they look more persistent along the west slopes of the Cascades from Hwy2 to the Canadian border.  We may have a break day on Sunday with some sunshine, or not, before unsettled weather returns.  

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
West North 3000' 4000' 3500' 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 4500' 4000' 6000'
Mt. Hood 3500' 5000' 4500' 5500'
West North Elevation
Friday Night 3000'
Saturday 4000'
Saturday Night 3500'
Sunday 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Night 3500'
Saturday 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday 6000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Night 3500'
Saturday 5000'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday 5500'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 26, 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’.