Issued: 2:06 PM PST Monday, December 15, 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

Moderate to heavy showers will continue to pepper the mountains this afternoon and evening before becoming lighter overnight.  Snow levels will fall to 3500-4000' over the north and central Cascades 5000-6000' for the south Cascades and Mt Hood.  There will be a convergence area that adds a few additional inches to the Cascades in Whatcom and Skagit counties tonight as well.  While snow at elevations that are currently bare will be welcome, the main story will be the ongoing extreme W-SW winds.  With saturated soils and many fallen trees over the past week, these high winds will batter all ridgelines and the east slopes of the Cascades in general for the better part of Monday night.  Refer to our friends at the NWS for statements on flooding and landslides. 

We'll barely catch our brief Tuesday morning before the next pulse of warm frontal precipitation in a long drawn out atmospheric river event moves over the area.  The heavist precipitation will likely center on the central and northern WA Cascades during the day.  Winter will be short-lived as this pulse of moisture brings milder air with it, pushing snow levels back up above ski area bases and the major Passes during the day.  

A strong front will smash through the area Tuesday night, with another round of extreme winds and heavy precipitation. Snow levels will start high and cool significantly late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning following the frontal passage. We'll be in cool WNW flow on Wednesday with some of the lowest snow levels we've seen in some time, and consistent moderate snow showers to help build our snowpack. 

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 Light to moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest in the evening. Strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Light to moderate rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Light to moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest in the evening. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate to heavy rain and snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate to heavy rain and snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest in the evening. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow, heaviest Paradise area. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Light to moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest in the evening. Strong WSW Pass level and ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Moderate to strong W Pass level and ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest in the evening. Strong WSW Pass level and strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Moderate to strong W Pass level and ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest near the crest and in the evening. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate heavy rain and snow, heaviest near the crest. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest near the crest and in the evening. Extreme ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate heavy rain and snow, heaviest near the crest. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest near the crest and in the evening. Extreme ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Light to moderate heavy rain and snow, heaviest near the crest. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Extreme ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Moderate heavy rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Monday, December 15, 2025

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Monday, December 15, 2025

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics 4000' 3500' 5000' 6000' 6500' 3500' 2500' 2500'
West North 3500' 3000' 3500' 5000' 6000' 3500' 2500' 2500'
West Central 4500' 4500' 4500' 5500' 6000' 4000' 2500' 2500'
West South 5000' 4500' 4500' 6000' 6500' 4000' 2500' 2500'
Stevens Pass 4500' 3500' 4000' 6000' 6000' 4000' 2500' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 4500' 3500' 4000' 6500' 6500' 4000' 2500' 2500'
East North 4500' 3500' 3000' 4500' 4500' 5000' 2500' 2500'
East Central 5500' 4000' 3500' 5500' 6000' 5000' 2500' 2500'
East South 6500' 5000' 4500' 6500' 6500' 5000' 2500' 2500'
Mt. Hood 7000' 6000' 7000' 7000' 7000' 5000' 2500' 3000'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening 4000'
Monday Night 3500'
Tuesday Morning 5000'
Tuesday Afternoon 6000'
Tuesday Evening 6500'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday Morning 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon 5000'
Tuesday Evening 6000'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening 4500'
Monday Night 4500'
Tuesday Morning 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 5500'
Tuesday Evening 6000'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening 5000'
Monday Night 4500'
Tuesday Morning 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 6000'
Tuesday Evening 6500'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 4500'
Monday Night 3500'
Tuesday Morning 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 6000'
Tuesday Evening 6000'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 4500'
Monday Night 3500'
Tuesday Morning 4000'
Tuesday Afternoon 6500'
Tuesday Evening 6500'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening 4500'
Monday Night 3500'
Tuesday Morning 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Tuesday Evening 4500'
Tuesday Night 5000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening 5500'
Monday Night 4000'
Tuesday Morning 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon 5500'
Tuesday Evening 6000'
Tuesday Night 5000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening 6500'
Monday Night 5000'
Tuesday Morning 4500'
Tuesday Afternoon 6500'
Tuesday Evening 6500'
Tuesday Night 5000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening 7000'
Monday Night 6000'
Tuesday Morning 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon 7000'
Tuesday Evening 7000'
Tuesday Night 5000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 3000'

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Monday, December 15, 2025

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 29 / 24 35 / 30
West North 32 / 25 34 / 26
West Central 34 / 27 35 / 29
West South 36 / 30 35 / 31
Stevens Pass 34 / 27 35 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass 34 / 27 35 / 29
East North 35 / 24 32 / 25
East Central 35 / 28 35 / 30
East South 38 / 31 36 / 31
Mt. Hood 40 / 37 40 / 37
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 29 / 24
Tuesday 35 / 30
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 32 / 25
Tuesday 34 / 26
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 34 / 27
Tuesday 35 / 29
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 36 / 30
Tuesday 35 / 31
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 34 / 27
Tuesday 35 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 34 / 27
Tuesday 35 / 29
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 35 / 24
Tuesday 32 / 25
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 35 / 28
Tuesday 35 / 30
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 38 / 31
Tuesday 36 / 31
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 40 / 37
Tuesday 40 / 37

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Monday, December 15, 2025

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics SW 20-30 SW 20-30 SW 25-35 SW 25-35
West North WSW 25-35 WSW 15-25 SSW 10-20 SSW 30-40
West Central WSW 15-25 WSW 20-30 SW 15-25 SW 25-35
West South WSW 30-40 WSW 20-30 SW 20-30 SW 30-40
Stevens Pass WSW 25-35 WSW 15-25 SSW 10-20 SW 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass WSW 35-50 WSW 25-35 SSW 15-25 SW 30-40
East North W 35-50 WSW 15-25 SW 15-25 SW 20-30
East Central WSW 45-65 WSW 35-50 SW 20-30 WSW 30-40
East South WSW 40-55 WSW 30-40 SW 20-30 WSW 30-40
Mt. Hood WSW 40-55 WSW 25-35 SW 35-50 SW 30-40
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening SW 20-30
Monday Night SW 20-30
Tuesday Morning SW 25-35
Tuesday Afternoon SW 25-35
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 25-35
Monday Night WSW 15-25
Tuesday Morning SSW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 30-40
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 15-25
Monday Night WSW 20-30
Tuesday Morning SW 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon SW 25-35
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 30-40
Monday Night WSW 20-30
Tuesday Morning SW 20-30
Tuesday Afternoon SW 30-40
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 25-35
Monday Night WSW 15-25
Tuesday Morning SSW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 20-30
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 35-50
Monday Night WSW 25-35
Tuesday Morning SSW 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon SW 30-40
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 35-50
Monday Night WSW 15-25
Tuesday Morning SW 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon SW 20-30
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 45-65
Monday Night WSW 35-50
Tuesday Morning SW 20-30
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 30-40
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 40-55
Monday Night WSW 30-40
Tuesday Morning SW 20-30
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 30-40
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 40-55
Monday Night WSW 25-35
Tuesday Morning SW 35-50
Tuesday Afternoon SW 30-40

Issued: 2:06 PM PST Monday, December 15, 2025

Extended Weather Synopsis

The jet stream temporarily drops south on Wednesday and Thursday, delivering heavy precipitation into Oregon and the Mt Hood area.  A weather system on Thursday may bring a brief warm-up to portions of the south and even central WA Cascades during the day on Thursday.  It looks like we'll be back into good snow production pattern Thursday night through Friday with a cool trough set up offshore and WNW flow aloft.  The west slopes of the Cascades and Passes would be the primary snow beneficiary during this pattern of snow base building. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night Thursday Thursday Night Friday
West North 2500' 3000' 2500' 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 4000' 3000' 2000'
Mt. Hood 2500' 7500' 3500' 2500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday 3000'
Thursday Night 2500'
Friday 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday 4000'
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 2000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday 7500'
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday 2500'

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

Previous forecast from Dec 15, 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’.

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