Issued: 1:58 PM PST Monday, January 12, 2026
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

After several days of warm, wet, and windy weather, the end is in sight. A high pressure ridge builds into the Pacific Northwest Monday night and kicks what's left of the recent atmospheric river north into Canada. Precipitation will taper from south to north, with just a few drippy showers loitering in the far northern Cascades first thing Tuesday morning. Similar to the precipitation ramping down, the strong and gusty winds that raked the mountains most of the weekend will also finally drop overnight. 

If you live by the motto, "if it's not going to snow, it might as well be sunny," then you're in luck. Much of the region could start Tuesday with pesky low clouds in the mountain valleys and passes, but the trend will be for clearing and drying. High, generally thin clouds will probably keep us from going fully 'bluebird' but there should be plenty of filtered sunshine and maybe even some significant sun breaks. Temperatures will also be on the rise. Many sites could see highs peak in the upper 40's or maybe even crest 50 degrees. 

With the high pressure ridge taking up residence over the West Coast, we're in for a prolonged period of warm, dry, and sunny weather. Clear skies Tuesday night could result in weak temperature inversions and maybe some patchy fog. These shouldn't last long on Wednesday. Plenty of sunshine should once again help 5000 ft temperatures stay in the 40s and even 50s. Make sure you have the shades and sunscreen handy, the mountains may feel more like spring than mid-January. 

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 Partly to mostly cloudy with a few isolated showers mainly in the evening. Gusty moderate winds decreasing.
Tuesday Partly to mostly sunny with some high thin clouds.
Monday Night Cloudy with rain showers mainly in the evening. Becoming scattered overnight. Moderate to strong and gusty winds decreasing.
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning with a few isolated showers. Some clearing and sun breaks possible in the afternoon.
Monday Night Cloudy with scattered rain showers in the evening, mainly in the northern portion of the zone. Becoming scattered overnight. Gusty moderate SW winds turning W and decreasing.
Tuesday Mostly cloudy in the morning, then high clouds and filtered sunshine for most of the day.
Monday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. A few sprinkles possible near Mt Rainier. Gusty moderate W winds decreasing.
Tuesday Mostly sunny with some high thin clouds.
Monday Night Cloudy with a few light showers mainly in the evening. Gusty moderate W ridgeline winds decreasing overnight. Light easterly flow developing at Pass level.
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning, then becoming partly to mostly cloudy with high thin clouds and filtered sunshine. Light easterly flow at the Pass level.
Monday Night Cloudy with a few isolated rain showers mainly in the evening. Moderate to strong and gusty W ridgeline winds decreasing. Easterly flow developing at Pass level.
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning, then high, generally thin clouds, and some sunshine. Light easterly flow at Pass level.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with a few showers in the evening, mainly near the crest. Very strong and gusty W winds decreasing overnight.
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning, becoming partly to mostly cloudy with generally high thin clouds and sunshine. Light to moderate W winds decreasing.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with a few isolated showers mainly in the NW corner of the zone. Very strong and gusty W winds decreasing.
Tuesday Cloudy in the morning. Becoming partly to mostly cloudy with generally high thin clouds and sunshine. Light to moderate W winds.
Monday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Moderate to strong and gusty W winds decreasing.
Tuesday Partly to mostly sunny with passing high thin clouds.
Monday Night Partly cloudy to mostly clear with high, generally thin clouds. Moderate but gusty W winds decreasing.
Tuesday Mostly sunny with a few passing high thin clouds.

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Monday, January 12, 2026

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 LT 0.10 0 0 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.25 0 0 0
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 0 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0
Crystal Mt 0 0 0 0
Paradise LT 0.10 0 0 0
White Pass 0 0 0 0
Washington Pass LT 0.25 0 0 0
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0 0 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0 0 0
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0 0 0
Timberline 0 0 0 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Monday Night LT 0.10
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Monday Night 0
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0
Wednesday 0

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Monday, January 12, 2026

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening Monday Night* Tuesday Morning* Tuesday Afternoon* Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics 8000' 8000' 9500' 10500' 11000' 11000' 10500' 10000'
West North 8500' 8500' 9000' 9500' 10500' 11000' 10500' 10000'
West Central 8000' 8000' 9000' 10000' 11000' 11500' 11000' 10500'
West South 9500' 10000' 10500' 11000' 11500' 12000' 11500' 11000'
Stevens Pass 8000' 8000' 9000' 10000' 11000' 11500' 11000' 11000'
Snoqualmie Pass 8000' 8000' 9000' 10500' 11500' 12000' 11000' 11000'
East North 8000' 8000' 8500' 8500' 10000' 11000' 11000' 11000'
East Central 8000' 8000' 9000' 10000' 11500' 12000' 11000' 11000'
East South 9500' 10500' 11000' 11000' 12000' 12500' 11500' 11500'
Mt. Hood 10000' 11000' 11500' 12000' 12500' 12500' 12000' 11500'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening 8000'
Monday Night* 8000'
Tuesday Morning* 9500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 10500'
Tuesday Evening* 11000'
Tuesday Night 11000'
Wednesday Morning 10500'
Wednesday Afternoon 10000'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening 8500'
Monday Night* 8500'
Tuesday Morning* 9000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 9500'
Tuesday Evening* 10500'
Tuesday Night 11000'
Wednesday Morning 10500'
Wednesday Afternoon 10000'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening 8000'
Monday Night* 8000'
Tuesday Morning* 9000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 10000'
Tuesday Evening* 11000'
Tuesday Night 11500'
Wednesday Morning 11000'
Wednesday Afternoon 10500'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening 9500'
Monday Night* 10000'
Tuesday Morning* 10500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 11000'
Tuesday Evening* 11500'
Tuesday Night 12000'
Wednesday Morning 11500'
Wednesday Afternoon 11000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 8000'
Monday Night* 8000'
Tuesday Morning* 9000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 10000'
Tuesday Evening* 11000'
Tuesday Night 11500'
Wednesday Morning 11000'
Wednesday Afternoon 11000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 8000'
Monday Night* 8000'
Tuesday Morning* 9000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 10500'
Tuesday Evening* 11500'
Tuesday Night 12000'
Wednesday Morning 11000'
Wednesday Afternoon 11000'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening 8000'
Monday Night* 8000'
Tuesday Morning* 8500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 8500'
Tuesday Evening* 10000'
Tuesday Night 11000'
Wednesday Morning 11000'
Wednesday Afternoon 11000'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening 8000'
Monday Night* 8000'
Tuesday Morning* 9000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 10000'
Tuesday Evening* 11500'
Tuesday Night 12000'
Wednesday Morning 11000'
Wednesday Afternoon 11000'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening 9500'
Monday Night* 10500'
Tuesday Morning* 11000'
Tuesday Afternoon* 11000'
Tuesday Evening* 12000'
Tuesday Night 12500'
Wednesday Morning 11500'
Wednesday Afternoon 11500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening 10000'
Monday Night* 11000'
Tuesday Morning* 11500'
Tuesday Afternoon* 12000'
Tuesday Evening* 12500'
Tuesday Night 12500'
Wednesday Morning 12000'
Wednesday Afternoon 11500'

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Monday, January 12, 2026

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 42 / 38 47 / 40
West North 41 / 37 43 / 39
West Central 41 / 37 45 / 40
West South 42 / 39 49 / 40
Stevens Pass 42 / 39 48 / 39
Snoqualmie Pass 42 / 39 49 / 40
East North 42 / 35 45 / 38
East Central 42 / 38 48 / 40
East South 42 / 39 50 / 42
Mt. Hood 46 / 39 52 / 45
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 38
Tuesday 47 / 40
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 41 / 37
Tuesday 43 / 39
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 41 / 37
Tuesday 45 / 40
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 39
Tuesday 49 / 40
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 39
Tuesday 48 / 39
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 39
Tuesday 49 / 40
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 35
Tuesday 45 / 38
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 38
Tuesday 48 / 40
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 39
Tuesday 50 / 42
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 46 / 39
Tuesday 52 / 45

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Monday, January 12, 2026

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics WSW 15-25 W 10-20 SW 5-15 SW 5-15
West North SW 20-30 WSW 10-20 SW 5-15 SW 5-15
West Central SW 15-25 W 10-20 SW 5-15 SW 5-15
West South W 15-25 W 5-15 SW 5-15 SW 5-15
Stevens Pass W 15-25 W 10-20 WSW 5-15 W 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass W 20-30 W 10-20 W 5-15 W 5-15
East North W 30-40 W 20-30 W 10-20 W 5-15
East Central W 30-40 W 20-30 W 10-20 W 10-20
East South W 20-30 W 10-20 W 10-20 W 5-15
Mt. Hood W 15-25 W 10-20 W 5-15 W 5-15
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 15-25
Monday Night W 10-20
Tuesday Morning SW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon SW 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening SW 20-30
Monday Night WSW 10-20
Tuesday Morning SW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon SW 5-15
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening SW 15-25
Monday Night W 10-20
Tuesday Morning SW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon SW 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 15-25
Monday Night W 5-15
Tuesday Morning SW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon SW 5-15
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 15-25
Monday Night W 10-20
Tuesday Morning WSW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon W 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 20-30
Monday Night W 10-20
Tuesday Morning W 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon W 5-15
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 30-40
Monday Night W 20-30
Tuesday Morning W 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon W 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 30-40
Monday Night W 20-30
Tuesday Morning W 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon W 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 20-30
Monday Night W 10-20
Tuesday Morning W 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon W 5-15
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening W 15-25
Monday Night W 10-20
Tuesday Morning W 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon W 5-15

Issued: 1:58 PM PST Monday, January 12, 2026

Extended Weather Synopsis

Might as well settle in and enjoy the sunshine because this warm, dry pattern isn't going anywhere anytime soon. There may be subtle nuances day to day in terms of passing clouds, afternoon highs, temperature inversions, or patchy fog, but overall, not much will change. The only real detail to point to in the extended forecast occurs Wednesday night into Thursday as a poorly defined front dissipates as it runs into the ridge. This could result in some passing clouds and slightly cooler temperatures in the Olympics and North Cascades. How long will this ridge last? That's too deep into the Crystal Ball at this point. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night* Thursday * Thursday Night* Friday *
West North 8500' 9000' 9000' 9500'
Snoqualmie Pass 10000' 10000' 10000' 11000'
Mt. Hood 12000' 11500' 12000' 12500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night* 8500'
Thursday * 9000'
Thursday Night* 9000'
Friday * 9500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night* 10000'
Thursday * 10000'
Thursday Night* 10000'
Friday * 11000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night* 12000'
Thursday * 11500'
Thursday Night* 12000'
Friday * 12500'

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

Previous forecast from Jan 12, 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.

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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