Issued: 6:56 AM PST Monday, December 8, 2025
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

Buckle up! We're in for a very wild and extremely wet few days! A pair of atmospheric rivers will take aim at the Pacific Northwest, bringing eye-popping amounts of precipitation, generally warm temperatures, and very strong and gusty winds. We'll be measuring the water in multiple inches range. Yikes!

The first tidal wave of moisture is arriving as I type (6am). Look for very heavy rain and high elevation snow to develop in the mountains by mid-morning. Once it starts, it won't let up for about 18 hours. Areas near and west of the Cascade Crest could see numerous hours of 1/4 to 1/3 inch of water per hour. Warm air will cause snow levels to climb during the day, peaking in the late afternoon/evening around 6500-7500 feet. Very strong winds should help precipitation pour across the crest throughout much of the storm. So, while east-side zones won't see quite as much rain and snow as their western neighbors, this will still be a major event. 

The atmospheric river shifts south into Oregon in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. This keeps the firehose going for Mt Saint Helens, Mt Adams, and Mt Hood. Right now, it's hard to say if places like Mt Rainier, Crystal, and White Pass stay in the bullseye or see a break from the storm. Further north, a cold front will drift down from Canada, helping temperatures to cool. Sadly, as snow levels drop, the moisture tap turns off. As a result, places near I-90 and north should see a break in the storm on Tuesday with just a few light showers and maybe even a few moments of sunshine. 

The rollercoaster ride isn't over, though. The second onslaught of precipitation arrives Tuesday evening, bringing another round of very heavy rain/snow, rising snow levels, and very strong and gusty winds. 

 

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 Heavy rain and strong and gusty winds.
Monday Night Heavy rain in the evening, then tapering. Moderate and gusty winds decreasing.
Monday Very heavy rain and high elevation snow developing mid morning. Very strong and gusty winds.
Monday Night Very heavy rain and high elevation snow tapering after midnight. Strong and gusty winds decreasing slightly.
Monday Very heavy rain and high elevation snow developing mid-morning. Strong and gusty winds increasing.
Monday Night Very heavy rain and high elevation snow tapering in the early morning hours. Strong and gusty winds decreasing.
Monday Very heavy rain and high elevation snow developing mid-morning. Strong and gusty winds increasing.
Monday Night Very heavy rain and high elevation snow, most intense on the volcanoes. Strong and gusty winds decreasing slightly.
Monday Heavy rain and high elevation snow developing mid-morning. Moderate and gusty winds increasing.
Monday Night Very heavy rain and high elevation snow. Moderate to strong and gusty winds decreasing slightly.
Monday Very heavy rain eventually reaching to ridge crest. Moderate winds becoming storng and gusty.
Monday Night Very heavy rain. Strong and gusty winds decreasing slightly.
Monday Heavy rain and snow developing late-morning. Warming. Moderate to strong and gusty winds increasing.
Monday Night Heavy rain and snow, tapering after midnight. Very strong and gusty winds decreasing.
Monday Heavy rain and snow developing late morning. Warming. Very strong and gusty winds becoming extreme in some locations.
Monday Night Heavy rain and snow, tapering some well after midnight. Extreme and gusty winds.
Monday Heavy rain and high elevation snow developing late morning. Warming. Strong and gusty winds increasing.
Monday Night Heavy rain and high elevation snow. Very strong to extreme and gusty winds increasing.
Monday Very heavy rain and high elevation snow developing mid-morning. Warming. Extreme and gusty winds.
Monday Night Very heavy rain and high elevation snow. Extreme and gusty winds.

Issued: 6:56 AM PST Monday, December 8, 2025

Precipitation (in)

Monday Monday Night Tuesday
4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 1.00 0.75 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 1.50 1.50 LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 1.50 - 2.00 2.50 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass 1.50 - 2.00 2.50 - 3.50 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 2.00 - 2.50 3.00 - 4.00 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0.75 1.00 - 1.50 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise 2.50 3.00 - 4.00 0.75
White Pass 1.00 - 1.50 2.00 - 2.50 0.50
Washington Pass 1.00 1.50 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0.50 - 0.75 1.00 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 1.50 2.00 - 2.50 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0.75 -1.00 1.00 - 1.50 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 1.50 2.00 - 2.50 2.00 - 2.50
Timberline 1.50 2.00 - 2.50 2.00 - 2.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday 1.00
Monday Night 0.75
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Monday 1.50
Monday Night 1.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday 1.50 - 2.00
Monday Night 2.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday 1.50 - 2.00
Monday Night 2.50 - 3.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday 2.00 - 2.50
Monday Night 3.00 - 4.00
Tuesday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Monday 0.75
Monday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Monday 2.50
Monday Night 3.00 - 4.00
Tuesday 0.75
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday 1.00 - 1.50
Monday Night 2.00 - 2.50
Tuesday 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday 1.00
Monday Night 1.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Monday Night 1.00
Tuesday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Monday 1.50
Monday Night 2.00 - 2.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Monday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Tuesday 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Monday 1.50
Monday Night 2.00 - 2.50
Tuesday 2.00 - 2.50
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Monday 1.50
Monday Night 2.00 - 2.50
Tuesday 2.00 - 2.50

Issued: 6:56 AM PST Monday, December 8, 2025

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Morning Monday Afternoon Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics 5000' 7000' 7500' 5500' 4000' 3500'
West North 4500' 6500' 6500' 4000' 3500' 3500'
West Central 5000' 6500' 7000' 5000' 4000' 3500'
West South 5000' 7000' 7500' 6500' 4500' 4000'
Stevens Pass 5000' 6500' 7000' 5000' 4000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' 7000' 7500' 5500' 4000' 3500'
East North 3500' 5000' 6000' 4500' 3000' 3000'
East Central 5000' 6500' 7500' 6000' 4000' 3500'
East South 6000' 7500' 8000' 6500' 4500' 4500'
Mt. Hood 6500' 8000' 8000' 7500' 7000' 7500'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 7000'
Monday Evening 7500'
Monday Night 5500'
Tuesday Morning 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
West North Elevation
Monday Morning 4500'
Monday Afternoon 6500'
Monday Evening 6500'
Monday Night 4000'
Tuesday Morning 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
West Central Elevation
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 6500'
Monday Evening 7000'
Monday Night 5000'
Tuesday Morning 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
West South Elevation
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 7000'
Monday Evening 7500'
Monday Night 6500'
Tuesday Morning 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 6500'
Monday Evening 7000'
Monday Night 5000'
Tuesday Morning 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 7000'
Monday Evening 7500'
Monday Night 5500'
Tuesday Morning 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
East North Elevation
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
Monday Evening 6000'
Monday Night 4500'
Tuesday Morning 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
East Central Elevation
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 6500'
Monday Evening 7500'
Monday Night 6000'
Tuesday Morning 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
East South Elevation
Monday Morning 6000'
Monday Afternoon 7500'
Monday Evening 8000'
Monday Night 6500'
Tuesday Morning 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Morning 6500'
Monday Afternoon 8000'
Monday Evening 8000'
Monday Night 7500'
Tuesday Morning 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon 7500'

Issued: 6:56 AM PST Monday, December 8, 2025

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Monday Night
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 39 / 32 39 / 28
West North 37 / 31 38 / 27
West Central 39 / 32 39 / 29
West South 40 / 32 40 / 33
Stevens Pass 39 / 32 39 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass 40 / 32 39 / 28
East North 36 / 29 37 / 27
East Central 39 / 32 39 / 28
East South 41 / 33 40 / 34
Mt. Hood 42 / 37 41 / 39
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 39 / 32
Monday Night 39 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 37 / 31
Monday Night 38 / 27
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 39 / 32
Monday Night 39 / 29
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 40 / 32
Monday Night 40 / 33
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 39 / 32
Monday Night 39 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 40 / 32
Monday Night 39 / 28
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 36 / 29
Monday Night 37 / 27
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 39 / 32
Monday Night 39 / 28
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 41 / 33
Monday Night 40 / 34
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday 42 / 37
Monday Night 41 / 39

Issued: 6:56 AM PST Monday, December 8, 2025

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Monday Morning Monday Afternoon Monday Evening Monday Night
Olympics SW 20-30 SW 25-35 W 15-25 W 10-20
West North SSW 25-35 SSW 25-35 WSW 20-30 W 15-25
West Central SW 20-30 SW 25-35 WSW 25-35 W 15-25
West South SW 20-30 SW 25-35 SW 25-35 WSW 20-30
Stevens Pass WSW 15-25 WSW 20-30 WSW 20-30 W 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass WSW 15-25 WSW 25-35 WSW 25-35 W 20-30
East North WSW 20-30 SW 25-35 WSW 30-40 W 30-40
East Central WSW 25-35 WSW 35-50 WSW 35-50 W 35-50
East South WSW 25-35 WSW 30-40 WSW 30-40 W 35-50
Mt. Hood WSW 40-55 WSW 40-55 WSW 40-55 WSW 40-55
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning SW 20-30
Monday Afternoon SW 25-35
Monday Evening W 15-25
Monday Night W 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning SSW 25-35
Monday Afternoon SSW 25-35
Monday Evening WSW 20-30
Monday Night W 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning SW 20-30
Monday Afternoon SW 25-35
Monday Evening WSW 25-35
Monday Night W 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning SW 20-30
Monday Afternoon SW 25-35
Monday Evening SW 25-35
Monday Night WSW 20-30
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning WSW 15-25
Monday Afternoon WSW 20-30
Monday Evening WSW 20-30
Monday Night W 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning WSW 15-25
Monday Afternoon WSW 25-35
Monday Evening WSW 25-35
Monday Night W 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning WSW 20-30
Monday Afternoon SW 25-35
Monday Evening WSW 30-40
Monday Night W 30-40
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning WSW 25-35
Monday Afternoon WSW 35-50
Monday Evening WSW 35-50
Monday Night W 35-50
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning WSW 25-35
Monday Afternoon WSW 30-40
Monday Evening WSW 30-40
Monday Night W 35-50
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Morning WSW 40-55
Monday Afternoon WSW 40-55
Monday Evening WSW 40-55
Monday Night WSW 40-55

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

Previous forecast from Dec 7, 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’.