Issued: 2:07 PM PST Wednesday, January 28, 2026
by Dennis D'Amico
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis
Dry January is officially over, weather-wise, as a warm frontal system pushes inland this afternoon. Light to moderate rain and snow will continue overnight through Thursday morning, with precipitation tapering off in the afternoon. Snow levels have already risen with this second round, leading to some "hot snow" with temperatures near or above freezing at many trailheads and ski area bases. Snow levels will hover between 4000-5000' through tomorrow morning, (slightly cooler for the East North and Methow Valley), meaning you'll have to travel to mid to upper elevations to see the new snow stack up, and even then it will be on the wetter side.
The West North and West Central, including the Mt Baker and Mt Loop area, respectively, will see the steadiest and heaviest precipitation through Thursday with ~1.5" of water over 24 hrs. Areas further south, and especially along the east slopes of the Cascades and for Mt Hood, will likely see much lower amounts. Winds will be moderate to locally strong, out of the S-SW with this storm. The freezing rain threat for tonight near Snoqualmie Pass and along portions of the east slopes seems unlikely and if does occur, spotty. As heavier precipitation winds down Thursday afternoon, not only will freezing levels rise again, but we could see some drizzle, mist and low clouds linger behind the main storm.
In a familiar refrain, the next round of warm frontal precipitation will return Thursday night, and largely clip the Olympics and northwest Cascades. On Friday, the warm front will lift north in the morning. We'll be mild, mostly cloudy and dry in the morning while we wait for the cold front to move into the area in the afternoon. Snow levels will be in the 5000-6000' by this point.
Weather Forecast
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow, heavy SW slopes. Strong ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light to moderate rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Strong ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Moderate rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Moderate rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Strong ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Moderate rain and snow. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Moderate rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Moderate ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light to moderate rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Strong ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow. Light E winds at Pass level, light to moderate S ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light to moderate rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Moderate SW ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon. Light E winds at Pass level. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow. Light E winds at Pass level, light to moderate S ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light to moderate rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Moderate SW ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon. Light E winds at Pass level. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heavier near the crest. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with a chance of rain or snow in the afternoon. Precipitation heavier near the crest. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heavier near the crest. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with a chance of rain or snow in the afternoon. Precipitation heavier near the crest. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heavier near the crest. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with a chance of rain or snow in the afternoon. Precipitation heavier near the crest. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heavier near the crest. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Light rain and snow in the morning, then cloudy with a chance of rain or snow in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 2:07 PM PST Wednesday, January 28, 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 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.75 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.75 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
Issued: 2:07 PM PST Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Snow Level (ft)
| Wednesday Evening* | Wednesday Night* | Thursday Morning* | Thursday Afternoon* | Thursday Evening* | Thursday Night* | Friday Morning* | Friday Afternoon* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' | 5500' | 5500' |
| West North | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 5500' |
| West Central | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' |
| West South | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' | 7000' | 6000' |
| Stevens Pass | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' |
| East North | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' |
| East Central | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' |
| East South | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5500' | 5500' | 6500' | 7000' | 6000' |
| Mt. Hood | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' | 7000' | 7000' | 8000' | 7000' | 7000' |
| Olympics | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 5000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 5000' |
| Thursday Morning* | 5500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 6000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 6000' |
| Thursday Night* | 6000' |
| Friday Morning* | 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 5500' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 4500' |
| Thursday Morning* | 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 5500' |
| Thursday Night* | 5500' |
| Friday Morning* | 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 5500' |
| West Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 4500' |
| Thursday Morning* | 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 5500' |
| Thursday Night* | 5500' |
| Friday Morning* | 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 6000' |
| West South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 4500' |
| Thursday Morning* | 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5500' |
| Thursday Evening* | 6000' |
| Thursday Night* | 6000' |
| Friday Morning* | 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 6000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 4500' |
| Thursday Morning* | 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 5000' |
| Thursday Night* | 5000' |
| Friday Morning* | 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 5500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 4500' |
| Thursday Morning* | 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5500' |
| Thursday Evening* | 5500' |
| Thursday Night* | 6000' |
| Friday Morning* | 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 6000' |
| East North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 3000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning* | 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 4500' |
| Thursday Evening* | 4000' |
| Thursday Night* | 4000' |
| Friday Morning* | 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 5000' |
| East Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night* | 4000' |
| Thursday Morning* | 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 4500' |
| Thursday Night* | 4500' |
| Friday Morning* | 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 5000' |
| East South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 4500' |
| Thursday Morning* | 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 5500' |
| Thursday Evening* | 5500' |
| Thursday Night* | 6500' |
| Friday Morning* | 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 6000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening* | 5000' |
| Wednesday Night* | 5000' |
| Thursday Morning* | 5000' |
| Thursday Afternoon* | 7000' |
| Thursday Evening* | 7000' |
| Thursday Night* | 8000' |
| Friday Morning* | 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon* | 7000' |
Issued: 2:07 PM PST Wednesday, January 28, 2026
5000' Temperatures (°F)
| Wednesday Night | Thursday | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Max / Min | Max / Min | ||
| Olympics | 33 / 31 | 37 / 32 | |
| West North | 32 / 30 | 35 / 30 | |
| West Central | 32 / 30 | 36 / 30 | |
| West South | 33 / 31 | 36 / 32 | |
| Stevens Pass | 32 / 30 | 35 / 29 | |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 31 / 30 | 35 / 30 | |
| East North | 28 / 27 | 32 / 26 | |
| East Central | 31 / 28 | 34 / 29 | |
| East South | 32 / 30 | 35 / 30 | |
| Mt. Hood | 33 / 32 | 37 / 32 |
| Olympics | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 33 / 31 |
| Thursday | 37 / 32 |
| West North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 32 / 30 |
| Thursday | 35 / 30 |
| West Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 32 / 30 |
| Thursday | 36 / 30 |
| West South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 33 / 31 |
| Thursday | 36 / 32 |
| Stevens Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 32 / 30 |
| Thursday | 35 / 29 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 31 / 30 |
| Thursday | 35 / 30 |
| East North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 28 / 27 |
| Thursday | 32 / 26 |
| East Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 31 / 28 |
| Thursday | 34 / 29 |
| East South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 32 / 30 |
| Thursday | 35 / 30 |
| Mt. Hood | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 33 / 32 |
| Thursday | 37 / 32 |
Issued: 2:07 PM PST Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
| Wednesday Evening | Wednesday Night | Thursday Morning | Thursday Afternoon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | SSW 25-35 | SW 30-40 | SW 25-35 | SW 15-25 |
| West North | S 15-25 | SSW 25-35 | SSW 25-35 | SSW 10-20 |
| West Central | SW 15-25 | SW 20-30 | SW 15-25 | SW 10-20 |
| West South | SW 20-30 | SW 25-35 | SW 25-35 | SW 20-30 |
| Stevens Pass | SW 5-15 | S 5-15 | SW 10-20 | SW 5-15 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | SW 5-15 | S 10-20 | SW 15-25 | SW 10-20 |
| East North | SW 5-15 | SW 10-20 | SW 10-20 | SW 10-20 |
| East Central | SW 10-20 | SW 10-20 | SW 15-25 | WSW 15-25 |
| East South | SW 10-20 | SW 10-20 | SW 15-25 | WSW 10-20 |
| Mt. Hood | SW 15-25 | SW 20-30 | SW 20-30 | WSW 15-25 |
| Olympics | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SSW 25-35 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30-40 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25-35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15-25 |
| West North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | S 15-25 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 25-35 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 25-35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10-20 |
| West Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 15-25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 20-30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15-25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10-20 |
| West South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 20-30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 25-35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25-35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 20-30 |
| Stevens Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 5-15 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10-20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5-15 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 10-20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15-25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10-20 |
| East North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10-20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10-20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10-20 |
| East Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10-20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15-25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 15-25 |
| East South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10-20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15-25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 10-20 |
| Mt. Hood | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 15-25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 20-30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 20-30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 15-25 |
Issued: 2:07 PM PST Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Extended Weather Synopsis
Precipitation should taper off Friday night and we'll be left with mild and likely dry conditions on Saturday with freezing levels between 6000-8000'. An upper level ridge will have amplified over the inland NW, but it's unclear how much cloud cover might slip into the region on Saturday. Areas south of I-90 into Oregon are more likely to see more sun than clouds on Saturday. We'll get a frontal system some time Sunday, but once again snow levels will be warmer than we'd like, with snow levels only coming down into the mid-elevations.
Extended Snow Level (ft)
| Friday Night* | Saturday * | Saturday Night* | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West North | 6500' | 6500' | 7000' | 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 7500' | 7500' | 7500' | 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | 8000' | 8500' | 8500' | 5500' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night* | 6500' |
| Saturday * | 6500' |
| Saturday Night* | 7000' |
| Sunday | 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night* | 7500' |
| Saturday * | 7500' |
| Saturday Night* | 7500' |
| Sunday | 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night* | 8000' |
| Saturday * | 8500' |
| Saturday Night* | 8500' |
| Sunday | 5500' |
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Jan 28, 2026
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