Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis
The cold, snowy pattern continues through Wednesday, then shifts toward milder, less stormy conditions as we approach the weekend.
The advertised narrow band of precipitation associated with a comma-shaped frontal system is moving through the Cascades early Wednesday afternoon. The brief shift to SSW winds was less favorable for mountain enhancement and reduced snowfall rates in many areas. However, another slew of vigorous showers can be seen on radar and satellite imagery that will move into the Cascades during the late afternoon hours as winds shift more westerly. These winds will be strongest on Wednesday night and peak on Thursday as a trough moves over the region, a ridge builds offshore, and atmospheric pressure gradients tighten. The cooler air aloft, moderate to strong W ridgeline winds, and instability showers will produce low-density snowfall throughout the region. With a lot of low-density snow already on the ground, expect significant snow transport in exposed terrain through Thursday. Temperatures should reach their minimum for the week on Thursday morning, before beginning a gradual moderating trend.
Some convergence off Vancouver Island is also expected to increase snowfall in the southern Mountain Loop and Stevens Pass areas late Wednesday night into Thursday, but it is likely to be a diffuse, weak enhancement.
NW flow aloft continues as the ridge of high pressure progresses toward the Pacific Northwest Thursday night and Friday. Snow showers gradually taper and then end from S to N on Friday. While we expect the end of the snowfall to bring snow levels down to 3000-3500 ft, freezing levels will climb to 5500-6000 ft with increasing sunshine near Mt Hood. In short, by Friday afternoon, the cold, snowy pattern enters the rearview mirror.
Weather Forecast
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate low-density snow showers. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Decreasing mostly light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Moderate low-density snow showers. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Decreasing mostly light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Moderate snow showers, locally heavy in diffuse convergence banding, favoring the southern part. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Moderate, but locally intense snow showers with diffuse convergence enhancement in the southern mountain loop. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong at times near the Cascade Crest. |
| Wednesday Night | Moderate to locally heavy low-density snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Moderate, but locally intense snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong at times near the Cascade Crest. |
| Wednesday Night | Moderate snow showers, locally heavy in potential diffuse convergence banding. Moderate ridgeline winds. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline and W winds at the Pass. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Moderate, but locally intense snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts. Decreasing light to moderate W wind at the Pass. |
| Wednesday Night | Increasing moderate to occasionally heavy snow showers. Increasing moderate ridgeline and light to moderate ridgeline winds at the Pass. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Moderate, but locally intense snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts. Decreasing light to moderate W wind at the Pass. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly light low-density snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light snow showers. Moderate and at times strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate low-density snow showers. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Mostly light snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate low-density snow showers. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Mostly light snow showers. Moderate and at times strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Decreasing moderate to locally heavy snow showers. Increasing moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Moderate, but locally intense snow showers. Strong ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Precipitation (in)
| Wednesday Night | Thursday | Thursday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | 0 |
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Snow Level (ft)
| Wednesday Evening | Wednesday Night | Thursday Morning | Thursday Afternoon | Thursday Evening | Thursday Night | Friday Morning | Friday Afternoon* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 2000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' |
| West North | 1000' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 3000' |
| West Central | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3500' |
| West South | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 4500' |
| Stevens Pass | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1500' | 1500' | 1000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' |
| East North | 1000' | 0 | 0 | 1000' | 1000' | 500' | 500' | 2500' |
| East Central | 1000' | 500' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 1000' | 1500' | 3000' |
| East South | 1000' | 1500' | 1000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2000' | 2500' | 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | 2000' | 1500' | 1000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 6000' |
| Olympics | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 1000' |
| Wednesday Night | 1000' |
| Thursday Morning | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2000' |
| Thursday Evening | 3000' |
| Thursday Night | 3000' |
| Friday Morning | 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 4000' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 1000' |
| Wednesday Night | 500' |
| Thursday Morning | 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 500' |
| Thursday Evening | 1000' |
| Thursday Night | 1500' |
| Friday Morning | 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 3000' |
| West Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 1000' |
| Wednesday Night | 1000' |
| Thursday Morning | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 1500' |
| Thursday Evening | 1500' |
| Thursday Night | 2000' |
| Friday Morning | 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 3500' |
| West South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 1500' |
| Wednesday Night | 1000' |
| Thursday Morning | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2000' |
| Thursday Evening | 2000' |
| Thursday Night | 2500' |
| Friday Morning | 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 4500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 1000' |
| Wednesday Night | 1000' |
| Thursday Morning | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 1500' |
| Thursday Evening | 2000' |
| Thursday Night | 2000' |
| Friday Morning | 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 1500' |
| Wednesday Night | 1500' |
| Thursday Morning | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2000' |
| Thursday Evening | 2000' |
| Thursday Night | 2000' |
| Friday Morning | 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 3000' |
| East North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 1000' |
| Wednesday Night | 0' |
| Thursday Morning | 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 1000' |
| Thursday Evening | 1000' |
| Thursday Night | 500' |
| Friday Morning | 500' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 2500' |
| East Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 1000' |
| Wednesday Night | 500' |
| Thursday Morning | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 1500' |
| Thursday Evening | 2000' |
| Thursday Night | 1000' |
| Friday Morning | 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 3000' |
| East South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 1000' |
| Wednesday Night | 1500' |
| Thursday Morning | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2000' |
| Thursday Evening | 2500' |
| Thursday Night | 2000' |
| Friday Morning | 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | 2000' |
| Wednesday Night | 1500' |
| Thursday Morning | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2000' |
| Thursday Evening | 2500' |
| Thursday Night | 3000' |
| Friday Morning | 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 6000' |
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 7, 2026
5000' Temperatures (°F)
| Wednesday Night | Thursday | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Max / Min | Max / Min | ||
| Olympics | 23 / 17 | 27 / 19 | |
| West North | 22 / 19 | 22 / 17 | |
| West Central | 22 / 21 | 24 / 19 | |
| West South | 23 / 19 | 27 / 18 | |
| Stevens Pass | 22 / 21 | 25 / 19 | |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 23 / 21 | 25 / 19 | |
| East North | 18 / 15 | 21 / 13 | |
| East Central | 22 / 20 | 25 / 17 | |
| East South | 22 / 20 | 27 / 18 | |
| Mt. Hood | 23 / 20 | 28 / 20 |
| Olympics | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 23 / 17 |
| Thursday | 27 / 19 |
| West North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 22 / 19 |
| Thursday | 22 / 17 |
| West Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 22 / 21 |
| Thursday | 24 / 19 |
| West South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 23 / 19 |
| Thursday | 27 / 18 |
| Stevens Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 22 / 21 |
| Thursday | 25 / 19 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 23 / 21 |
| Thursday | 25 / 19 |
| East North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 18 / 15 |
| Thursday | 21 / 13 |
| East Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 22 / 20 |
| Thursday | 25 / 17 |
| East South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 22 / 20 |
| Thursday | 27 / 18 |
| Mt. Hood | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 23 / 20 |
| Thursday | 28 / 20 |
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
| Wednesday Evening | Wednesday Night | Thursday Morning | Thursday Afternoon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | W 10-20 | W 15-25 | W 15-25 | W 10-20 |
| West North | SW 10-20 | WSW 5-15 | W 10-20 | W 10-20 |
| West Central | SW 5-15 | W 15-25 | W 15-25 | W 15-25 |
| West South | WSW 15-25 | W 15-25 | W 20-30 | WNW 20-30 |
| Stevens Pass | WSW 5-15 | W 10-20 | W 20-30 | W 15-25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | WSW 10-20 | W 15-25 | WNW 20-30 | W 25-35 |
| East North | SW 5-15 | W 15-25 | W 20-30 | W 20-30 |
| East Central | WSW 15-25 | W 20-30 | W 25-35 | W 30-40 |
| East South | W 15-25 | W 20-30 | W 20-30 | W 20-30 |
| Mt. Hood | W 20-30 | W 25-35 | W 25-35 | W 25-35 |
| Olympics | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15-25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15-25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 10-20 |
| West North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5-15 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10-20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 10-20 |
| West Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15-25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15-25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15-25 |
| West South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 15-25 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15-25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 20-30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 20-30 |
| Stevens Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Night | W 10-20 |
| Thursday Morning | W 20-30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15-25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15-25 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 20-30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 25-35 |
| East North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15-25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 20-30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 20-30 |
| East Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 15-25 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20-30 |
| Thursday Morning | W 25-35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 30-40 |
| East South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 15-25 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20-30 |
| Thursday Morning | W 20-30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 20-30 |
| Mt. Hood | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20-30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 25-35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 25-35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 25-35 |
Issued: 2:03 PM PST Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Extended Weather Synopsis
Friday night and Saturday, the ridge of high pressure centers on the Pacific Northwest. The strong W winds from earlier in the week didn't leave much of a cold pool, but expect somewhat cooler temperatures nonetheless east of the Cascade Crest, while freezing levels climb to 7000-9000 ft. There's a fair amount of uncertainty regarding the timing of precipitation later in the weekend, but a warmer, wetter system is likely to arrive by Sunday or Monday with SW winds.
Extended Snow Level (ft)
| Friday Night | Saturday | Saturday Night | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West North | 3000' | 5500' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3500' | 5500' | 3500' | 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | 5500' | 7500' | 8500' | 7000' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 3000' |
| Saturday | 5500' |
| Saturday Night | 3500' |
| Sunday | 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 3500' |
| Saturday | 5500' |
| Saturday Night | 3500' |
| Sunday | 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 5500' |
| Saturday | 7500' |
| Saturday Night | 8500' |
| Sunday | 7000' |
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Jan 7, 2026
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.