Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Sunday, March 8, 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

An active week of weather kicked off today as a fast-moving front that brought heavy precipitation this morning (mainly in the form of low/mid-elevation rain) along the west slopes of the Cascades along with widespread strong to even extreme mountain winds. Showers have become more scattered along the west slopes of the Cascades this afternoon, except for a broad area of convergence from I-90 and north into Skagit County.  Behind the front, those initially high snow levels have fallen to mid-elevations in the afternoon, and will continue falling Sunday night into the 500-1000' range as colder air trickles in from the NW.  Scattered snow showers will continue, with a focus on a convergence zone that waffles Hwy2/and the Mountain Loop Highway with locally higher snow totals in these area.  Strong west winds will continue overnight, highest along the eastern slopes of the Cascades and Mt Hood. 

We'll see the convergence zone wax and wane in the vicinity of Stevens Pass and the Mt Loop on Monday and Monday night.  An upper-level disturbance will help ramp up shower activity for all areas on Monday afternoon.  Winds will finally begin to ease on Monday afternoon and further decrease on Monday night. This will be a period of very low snow levels, and although the precipitation forecasts aren't huge, we'll squeeze light low density snow with the cold temperatures and low snow-levels through Tuesday.  Look for several inches of new snow for all areas through Monday afternoon, with areas around the convergence zone pushing into the 10-16" range. 

Tuesday will initially start out on the quieter side as a new frontal system approaches. It's unclear how much precipitation will push inland during the daylight hours. The NW Cascades and Olympics are the most likely areas to see steadier precipitation develop during the day.    

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
Sunday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Light to moderate snow showers, occasionally heavy near the convergence zone. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Light to moderate snow showers, occasionally heavy near the convergence zone. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Light to moderate snow showers, occasionally heavy near the convergence zone. Moderate W Pass level winds, strong at ridgeline.
Monday Light to occasionally moderate snow showers, heaviest during periods of convergence zone bands. Moderate W Pass level winds, moderate to strong at ridgeline.
Sunday Night Light to moderate snow showers. Moderate W Pass level winds, strong at ridgeline.
Monday Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate W Pass level winds, moderate to strong at ridgeline.
Sunday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers, occasionally moderate near the crest. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Monday Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers, occasionally moderate showers near the crest. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers, except moderate near the Cascade crest and downwind of a convergence zone. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Monday Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers, except occasionally moderate showers downwind of a convergence zone. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers mainly near the Cascade crest. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Monday Partly to mostly cloudy in the morning with a chance of light snow showers, then mostly cloudy in the afternoon with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Cloudier near the crest. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night Cloudy west-side, mostly cloudy east-side with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Strong to extreme ridgeline winds.
Monday Partly to mostly cloudy in the morning with a chance of light snow showers, then mostly cloudy in the afternoon with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Cloudier west-side. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Sunday, March 8, 2026

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Sunday, March 8, 2026

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics 2000' 500' 500' 500' 0 0 500' 1500'
West North 2000' 500' 500' 500' 0 0 500' 1500'
West Central 2000' 1000' 500' 1000' 500' 0 500' 2000'
West South 2500' 1000' 500' 1500' 500' 0 500' 2000'
Stevens Pass 2500' 1000' 500' 1000' 500' 0 500' 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 1000' 500' 1500' 500' 0 500' 2000'
East North 2500' 500' 1000' 1500' 0 0 500' 2000'
East Central 2500' 1000' 1000' 1500' 500' 0 500' 2000'
East South 3500' 1500' 1500' 1500' 500' 0 500' 2000'
Mt. Hood 4500' 2500' 2000' 2000' 500' 0 500' 2000'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 0'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 1500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 500'
Monday Evening 0'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 1500'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 2000'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 1000'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 1500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 1000'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 500'
Monday Afternoon 1500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 500'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 1500'
Monday Evening 0'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 2500'
Sunday Night 1000'
Monday Morning 1000'
Monday Afternoon 1500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening 3500'
Sunday Night 1500'
Monday Morning 1500'
Monday Afternoon 1500'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 2500'
Monday Morning 2000'
Monday Afternoon 2000'
Monday Evening 500'
Monday Night 0'
Tuesday Morning 500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2000'

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Sunday, March 8, 2026

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 23 / 15 20 / 16
West North 23 / 15 20 / 16
West Central 22 / 17 20 / 16
West South 30 / 18 23 / 18
Stevens Pass 24 / 16 22 / 16
Snoqualmie Pass 23 / 17 20 / 18
East North 24 / 13 21 / 14
East Central 25 / 16 22 / 17
East South 30 / 19 24 / 18
Mt. Hood 34 / 23 25 / 22
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 15
Monday 20 / 16
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 15
Monday 20 / 16
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 22 / 17
Monday 20 / 16
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 30 / 18
Monday 23 / 18
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 16
Monday 22 / 16
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 23 / 17
Monday 20 / 18
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 24 / 13
Monday 21 / 14
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 25 / 16
Monday 22 / 17
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 30 / 19
Monday 24 / 18
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 34 / 23
Monday 25 / 22

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Sunday, March 8, 2026

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics WSW 20-30 W 20-30 W 15-25 WSW 15-25
West North WSW 15-25 WSW 15-25 WSW 10-20 SW 15-25
West Central W 20-30 W 20-30 W 15-25 WSW 15-25
West South W 20-30 W 25-35 W 20-30 W 15-25
Stevens Pass W 20-30 W 20-30 W 15-25 W 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass W 30-40 W 30-40 W 20-30 WSW 20-30
East North W 20-30 W 20-30 W 20-30 W 15-25
East Central W 35-50 W 30-40 W 25-35 W 20-30
East South W 25-35 W 25-35 W 20-30 W 15-25
Mt. Hood W 35-50 W 35-50 W 25-35 W 15-25
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 20-30
Sunday Night W 20-30
Monday Morning W 15-25
Monday Afternoon WSW 15-25
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 15-25
Sunday Night WSW 15-25
Monday Morning WSW 10-20
Monday Afternoon SW 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 20-30
Sunday Night W 20-30
Monday Morning W 15-25
Monday Afternoon WSW 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 20-30
Sunday Night W 25-35
Monday Morning W 20-30
Monday Afternoon W 15-25
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 20-30
Sunday Night W 20-30
Monday Morning W 15-25
Monday Afternoon W 15-25
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 30-40
Sunday Night W 30-40
Monday Morning W 20-30
Monday Afternoon WSW 20-30
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 20-30
Sunday Night W 20-30
Monday Morning W 20-30
Monday Afternoon W 15-25
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 35-50
Sunday Night W 30-40
Monday Morning W 25-35
Monday Afternoon W 20-30
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 25-35
Sunday Night W 25-35
Monday Morning W 20-30
Monday Afternoon W 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 35-50
Sunday Night W 35-50
Monday Morning W 25-35
Monday Afternoon W 15-25

Issued: 2:36 PM PDT Sunday, March 8, 2026

Extended Weather Synopsis

A strong storm will impact the area Tuesday night into Thursday.  Unfortunately, the jet stream will drift northward on Wednesday, and snow levels will follow.  That means we may see rain push upward and mix into the 4000-4500' range in the central Cascades at some point, slightly cooler to the north and slightly warmer to the south, before snow levels fall once again on Thursday.  We'll also have to monitor the chances of freezing rain near the Passes and along the east slopes on Wednesday, though it seems unlikely right now.  It's going to be a stormy period with strong winds and heavy precipitation, get ready! 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night* Wednesday * Wednesday Night Thursday
West North 1000' 2500' 1500' 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass 1500' 3000' 2500' 2500'
Mt. Hood 2000' 5000' 4500' 4000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday * 2500'
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night* 1500'
Wednesday * 3000'
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night* 2000'
Wednesday * 5000'
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday 4000'

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

Previous forecast from Mar 8, 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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