Issued: 2:15 PM PST Saturday, March 7, 2026
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

Through the remainder of the forecast season, afternoon mountain weather forecasts will be published at 2:30 PM.

After a warm and damp Saturday, the flattening offshore ridge opens the door for the arrival of a strong cold front from the NW. Light rain and snow gradually increase Saturday evening in the northern Cascades, becoming moderate to heavy overnight for Mt Baker and the Mountain Loop. Peak precipitation should occur from 4 AM to 10 AM on Sunday for the central Washington Cascades to Mt Rainier with 0.5-1" of water equivalent in a short 6-hour window. The cold front weakens as it moves into the southern Cascades during the afternoon, bringing mostly lighter precipitation as post-frontal snow showers develop over the central Washington Cascades. The timing of the rain/snow transition should occur around 4 AM for Mt Baker, 7 AM for Stevens Pass, and 1 PM for Snoqualmie at pass level, but mid-morning at middle elevations.

Moderate to locally strong W winds will continue to buffet our region, with a particular focus on areas near/east of the Cascade Crest. Expect winds to have more momentum than typical lows in the terrain through the mountain gaps. Moderate snow showers continue on low snow ratios Sunday night through Monday. Areas near and west of the Cascade Crest can expect 6-18" of snow, with 2-5" amounts likely further east. Higher snowfall rates are likely in convergence bands between Snoqualmie Pass and the Skagit.

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
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with increasing light rain and snow, primarily overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Isolated light snow showers taper or end by the afternoon. Much lower snow levels. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Night Light rain and snow become moderate to heavy overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Mostly light snow transitions to snow showers early in the day. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday Night Light rain and snow become moderate overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Moderate rain and snow in the morning, with light snow showers and convergence banding lingering through the afternoon.
Saturday Night Increasing light rain and higher elevation snow. Crystal is mostly rainshadowed. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Moderate to heavy rain and snow at Paradise, light to moderate at Crystal and White Pass. Lowering snow levels in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts.
Saturday Night Increasing light to moderate rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Moderate to heavy rain and snow transition to all snow between 7 and 10 AM, with light showers and convergence enhancement in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts. Increasing light to modeate W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Night Light to moderate rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass.
Sunday Heavy rain and higher elevation snow in the morning, with light showers and convergence enhancement in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts. Moderate W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Night Increasing light rain and higher elevation snow. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday
Saturday Night Increasing light rain and higher elevation snow may become moderate in the early morning hours. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Moderate rain and snow become light and showery. Lowering snow levels. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy with occasional light sprinkles near the Cascade Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts.
Sunday Periods of light rain and snow. Moderate ridgeline winds, strong gusts.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy skies to the west of the volcano, with more clear skies than clouds further east. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds, particularly on the S and E sides of the mountain.
Sunday Increasing light to moderate rain and snow. Strong ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:15 PM PST Saturday, March 7, 2026

Precipitation (in)

Saturday Night Sunday Sunday Night Monday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.50 0.25 0.25 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.50 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 -1.00 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 0.75 -1.00 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Paradise LT 0.25 0.75 -1.00 LT 0.25 0.25
White Pass LT 0.10 0.50 LT 0.10 0.25
Washington Pass 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.25 0.50 LT 0.25 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Timberline 0 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.50
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.50
Sunday 0.50
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday 0.75 -1.00
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.75 -1.00
Sunday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0.75 -1.00
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.50
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0.50
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25

Issued: 2:15 PM PST Saturday, March 7, 2026

Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics 7000' 6500' 4000' 2000' 1000' 500' 500' 400'
West North 6500' 5500' 3500' 2000' 1000' 500' 0 500'
West Central 6500' 6500' 4000' 2500' 1500' 1000' 0 500'
West South 7000' 6500' 6000' 4500' 2000' 1000' 500' 500'
Stevens Pass 6500' 6500' 4500' 3000' 1500' 500' 0 500'
Snoqualmie Pass 6500' 6500' 5500' 3500' 2000' 1000' 500' 500'
East North 6500' 6000' 4500' 2500' 1000' 0 0 0
East Central 6500' 6500' 5500' 4000' 2500' 1000' 500' 500'
East South 11000' 11000' 6000' 5500' 3000' 1000' 500' 500'
Mt. Hood 12500' 12000' 6500' 6500' 5000' 2500' 1000' 1500'
Olympics Elevation
Saturday Evening 7000'
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 2000'
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 400'
West North Elevation
Saturday Evening 6500'
Saturday Night 5500'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 2000'
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
West Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 6500'
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 1500'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
West South Elevation
Saturday Evening 7000'
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday Morning 6000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 6500'
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday Morning 4500'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 1500'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 6500'
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday Morning 5500'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 500'
East North Elevation
Saturday Evening 6500'
Saturday Night 6000'
Sunday Morning 4500'
Sunday Afternoon 2500'
Sunday Evening 1000'
Sunday Night 0'
Monday Morning 0'
Monday Afternoon 0'
East Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 6500'
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday Morning 5500'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 500'
East South Elevation
Saturday Evening 11000'
Saturday Night 11000'
Sunday Morning 6000'
Sunday Afternoon 5500'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening 12500'
Saturday Night 12000'
Sunday Morning 6500'
Sunday Afternoon 6500'
Sunday Evening 5000'
Sunday Night 2500'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 1500'

Issued: 2:15 PM PST Saturday, March 7, 2026

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Saturday Night Sunday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 38 / 33 33 / 26
West North 37 / 31 31 / 24
West Central 36 / 33 33 / 25
West South 38 / 36 36 / 31
Stevens Pass 37 / 35 35 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 37 / 35 35 / 25
East North 37 / 33 33 / 26
East Central 37 / 36 36 / 27
East South 39 / 35 37 / 32
Mt. Hood 44 / 37 39 / 36
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 38 / 33
Sunday 33 / 26
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 37 / 31
Sunday 31 / 24
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 36 / 33
Sunday 33 / 25
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 38 / 36
Sunday 36 / 31
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 37 / 35
Sunday 35 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 37 / 35
Sunday 35 / 25
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 37 / 33
Sunday 33 / 26
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 37 / 36
Sunday 36 / 27
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 39 / 35
Sunday 37 / 32
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 44 / 37
Sunday 39 / 36

Issued: 2:15 PM PST Saturday, March 7, 2026

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics WSW 10-20 WSW 15-25 W 10-20 W 10-20
West North WSW 10-20 SW 20-30 WSW 15-25 WSW 15-25
West Central WSW 10-20 WSW 15-25 W 10-20 WNW 10-20
West South W 15-25 W 15-25 WNW 20-30 W 15-25
Stevens Pass WSW 15-25 WSW 15-25 W 10-20 WSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass W 20-30 W 20-30 WSW 15-25 W 15-25
East North WSW 20-30 WSW 20-30 WSW 15-25 WSW 15-25
East Central W 20-30 W 25-35 W 20-30 W 20-30
East South W 20-30 W 20-30 W 20-30 W 20-30
Mt. Hood W 20-30 W 20-30 W 25-35 W 20-30
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WSW 10-20
Saturday Night WSW 15-25
Sunday Morning W 10-20
Sunday Afternoon W 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WSW 10-20
Saturday Night SW 20-30
Sunday Morning WSW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon WSW 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WSW 10-20
Saturday Night WSW 15-25
Sunday Morning W 10-20
Sunday Afternoon WNW 10-20
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 15-25
Saturday Night W 15-25
Sunday Morning WNW 20-30
Sunday Afternoon W 15-25
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WSW 15-25
Saturday Night WSW 15-25
Sunday Morning W 10-20
Sunday Afternoon WSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 20-30
Saturday Night W 20-30
Sunday Morning WSW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon W 15-25
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WSW 20-30
Saturday Night WSW 20-30
Sunday Morning WSW 15-25
Sunday Afternoon WSW 15-25
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 20-30
Saturday Night W 25-35
Sunday Morning W 20-30
Sunday Afternoon W 20-30
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 20-30
Saturday Night W 20-30
Sunday Morning W 20-30
Sunday Afternoon W 20-30
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 20-30
Saturday Night W 20-30
Sunday Morning W 25-35
Sunday Afternoon W 20-30

Issued: 2:15 PM PST Saturday, March 7, 2026

Extended Weather Synopsis

Snow continues to stack up as a subtle trough keeps the air mass cool, moist, and unstable W flow. Moderate snow showers remain focused on areas near and west of the Cascade Crest, potentially becoming heavy at times Tuesday afternoon and overnight. A stronger system arrives with a warm front on Wednesday. Expect gradually rising snow levels, heavy snow (transitioning to rain at the lowest elevations), and strong winds. Expect 1-3 ft of snowfall in areas near and west of the Cascade Crest during the extended forecast.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
West North 0 500' 500' 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass 500' 500' 1000' 2500'
Mt. Hood 1000' 1000' 2000' 3000'
West North Elevation
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday 500'
Tuesday Night 500'
Wednesday 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night 500'
Tuesday 500'
Tuesday Night 1000'
Wednesday 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night 1000'
Tuesday 1000'
Tuesday Night 2000'
Wednesday 3000'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 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.

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’.

📱 Download Avy App today ( iOS | Android )