Issued: 2:58 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2026
by Sam Clairmont
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis
UPDATE 2:58 pm: Adjusted sensible weather.
A warm frontal system is pushing inland off the coast, with a southwest to northeast flow direction. Strong gusts have been recorded all along the west side of the Cascades. Mt Baker's weather station has picked up significantly more precipitation than the rest of the NWAC stations, with 1" of water since this morning, and gusts into the 40s MPH. Snow levels continue to hover around 5,000 feet.
Rain and mountain snow will increase along the Cascade Crest through Tuesday evening as moisture continues pressing inland. With this storm track, less precipitation is expected to spill over to the east side. Snow levels will gradually lower overnight into Wednesday, dropping to near 3,000 feet by Wednesday night.
By Wednesday, the flow direction shifts from SW to WNW and eventually NW. This transition favors increased precipitation along the passes and western Cascades, along with better potential for spillover east of the crest. A Puget Sound Convergence Zone may set up between Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass on Wednesday afternoon, bringing locally heavier precipitation. Its exact positioning is still uncertain, and movement north or south will likely influence precipitation intensity between the passes. This shift in flow will also bring a change in wind direction and increasing wind speeds across the passes, the Mount Hood zone, and into the East Central zone.
Cooling continues into Thursday, with snow levels reaching below Snoqualmie Pass, but less moisture to work with for snow production.
Weather Forecast
| Tuesday Night | Rain and mountain snow. Moderate ridgeline wind. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and mountain snow. Low clouds in the late afternoon. |
| Tuesday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow. Moderate ridgeline wind. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and mountain snow. Low clouds in the late afternoon. |
| Tuesday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow. Moderate ridgeline wind. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and mountain snow. Low clouds in the late afternoon. |
| Tuesday Night | Rain and mountain snow. Light to moderate ridgeline wind. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and mountain snow. Heavier near the crest. Low clouds in the afternoon. |
| Tuesday Night | Rain and snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline wind, and light W wind at the pass. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline wind, and light W wind at the pass. |
| Tuesday Night | Rain and snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline wind, and light W wind at the pass. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline wind, and light W wind at the pass. |
| Tuesday Night | Rain and mountain snow. Light to moderate ridgeline wind. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Rain and mountain snow, heavier near the crest. Cloudy, turning mostly cloudy farther from the crest. Chance of partial clearing in the afternoon. |
| Tuesday Night | Rain and mountain snow. Light to moderate ridgeline wind. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Rain and mountain snow, heavier near the crest. Cloudy, turning mostly cloudy farther from the crest. Chance of clearing in the afternoon. |
| Tuesday Night | Light rain and mountain snow. Light to moderate ridgeline wind. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Light rain and mountain snow, heavier near the crest. Cloudy, turning mostly cloudy farther from the crest. Chance of clearing in the afternoon. |
| Tuesday Night | Rain and mountain snow. Strong ridgeline wind. |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Rain and mountain snow. Moderate to strong ridgeline wind. Low clouds, with a chance of upper clouds clearing in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:58 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Precipitation (in)
| Tuesday Night | Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
Issued: 2:58 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Snow Level (ft)
| Tuesday Evening | Tuesday Night | Wednesday Morning | Wednesday Afternoon | Wednesday Evening | Wednesday Night | Thursday Morning | Thursday Afternoon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' |
| West North | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| West Central | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| West South | 5500' | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Stevens Pass | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 5000' | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| East North | 5000' | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| East Central | 5500' | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' |
| East South | 5500' | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | 6000' | 5500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 3500' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Olympics | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 5000' |
| Tuesday Night | 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 3000' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 5000' |
| Tuesday Night | 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2500' |
| West Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 5000' |
| Tuesday Night | 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2500' |
| West South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 5500' |
| Tuesday Night | 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 5000' |
| Tuesday Night | 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 5000' |
| Tuesday Night | 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2500' |
| East North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 5000' |
| Tuesday Night | 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2500' |
| East Central | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 5500' |
| Tuesday Night | 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 3000' |
| East South | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 5500' |
| Tuesday Night | 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | 6000' |
| Tuesday Night | 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning | 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night | 3500' |
| Thursday Morning | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | 2500' |
Issued: 2:58 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2026
5000' Temperatures (°F)
| Tuesday Night | Wednesday | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Max / Min | Max / Min | ||
| Olympics | 31 / 27 | 32 / 27 | |
| West North | 31 / 29 | 32 / 27 | |
| West Central | 31 / 30 | 31 / 26 | |
| West South | 34 / 29 | 34 / 28 | |
| Stevens Pass | 32 / 28 | 33 / 27 | |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 32 / 28 | 32 / 26 | |
| East North | 32 / 27 | 32 / 22 | |
| East Central | 32 / 29 | 33 / 26 | |
| East South | 32 / 29 | 33 / 26 | |
| Mt. Hood | 35 / 31 | 34 / 28 |
| Olympics | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 31 / 27 |
| Wednesday | 32 / 27 |
| West North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 31 / 29 |
| Wednesday | 32 / 27 |
| West Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 31 / 30 |
| Wednesday | 31 / 26 |
| West South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 34 / 29 |
| Wednesday | 34 / 28 |
| Stevens Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 32 / 28 |
| Wednesday | 33 / 27 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 32 / 28 |
| Wednesday | 32 / 26 |
| East North | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 32 / 27 |
| Wednesday | 32 / 22 |
| East Central | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 32 / 29 |
| Wednesday | 33 / 26 |
| East South | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 32 / 29 |
| Wednesday | 33 / 26 |
| Mt. Hood | 5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 35 / 31 |
| Wednesday | 34 / 28 |
Issued: 2:58 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
| Tuesday Evening | Tuesday Night | Wednesday Morning | Wednesday Afternoon | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | SW 10-20 | SW 10-20 | WSW 5-15 | W 10-20 |
| West North | SSW 15-25 | SSW 10-20 | SW 5-15 | WNW 10-20 |
| West Central | SW 10-20 | SSW 10-20 | SW 10-20 | WNW 15-25 |
| West South | SW 5-15 | SW 5-15 | SW 5-15 | W 10-20 |
| Stevens Pass | WSW 5-15 | SW 5-15 | SW 5-15 | W 15-25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | WSW 5-15 | SW 5-15 | SW 10-20 | W 15-25 |
| East North | SW 10-20 | SW 5-15 | SW 5-15 | W 10-20 |
| East Central | WSW 15-25 | WSW 10-20 | WSW 15-25 | WNW 15-25 |
| East South | WSW 10-20 | WSW 10-20 | W 10-20 | W 10-20 |
| Mt. Hood | SW 20-30 | SW 20-30 | WSW 25-35 | W 30-40 |
| Olympics | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 10-20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10-20 |
| West North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SSW 15-25 |
| Tuesday Night | SSW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 10-20 |
| West Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 10-20 |
| Tuesday Night | SSW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 15-25 |
| West South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 5-15 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10-20 |
| Stevens Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 5-15 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15-25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 5-15 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15-25 |
| East North | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 10-20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5-15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10-20 |
| East Central | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15-25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15-25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 15-25 |
| East South | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10-20 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 10-20 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10-20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10-20 |
| Mt. Hood | Ridgeline Winds (mph) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 20-30 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 20-30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 25-35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 30-40 |
Issued: 2:58 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Extended Weather Synopsis
Active weather will continue Thursday night into the weekend, with additional rounds of moisture and wind on tap. A relative lull may occur Thursday night into Friday, but precipitation is unlikely to shut off completely before the next, warmer system arrives. Snow levels are expected to rise more noticeably Friday night into Saturday, bringing a transition back toward higher elevation snow and lower elevation rain.
Extended Snow Level (ft)
| Thursday Night | Friday | Friday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West North | 3000' | 3500' | 5000' | 6000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3500' | 4000' | 5500' | 6500' |
| Mt. Hood | 3500' | 4500' | 6000' | 7000' |
| West North | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 3000' |
| Friday | 3500' |
| Friday Night | 5000' |
| Saturday | 6000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 3500' |
| Friday | 4000' |
| Friday Night | 5500' |
| Saturday | 6500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 3500' |
| Friday | 4500' |
| Friday Night | 6000' |
| Saturday | 7000' |
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Mar 3, 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.