As a fast-moving upper trough shifts east, it leaves aloft NW flow over the region and mostly dry conditions, although expect a few isolated snow flurries in the evening hours under otherwise mostly clearing skies. The eastward shift of an offshore ridge approaches initiates a gradual warming trend that begins late Saturday night and continues into Sunday. That said, expect a chilly start to the day on Sunday; in most cases, the warming trend will merely moderate temperatures, though it will feel more pronounced around Mt Hood. Freezing levels start the day around 500-1500 ft over the Washington Cascades. High clouds arrive in the form of mid-level moisture rounding the top of the aforementioned ridge in the form of a warm front. The warm-frontal snowfall starts around Mt. Hood in the midday hours and brushes the Cascades late in the day. Snow levels reach around 4,000 ft on Mt Hood, but remain below the major passes elsewhere.
The warm front rapidly raises temperatures, with light to moderate rain and snow increasing on Sunday night and reaching the upper elevations by Monday morning. Expect moderate rain and higher-elevation snow over the northern half of the Cascades, with lighter precipitation further south, as SW ridgeline winds bring increasing moisture into the region.
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 clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken in the morning, with light rain and snow spreading into the region during the midday through afternoon hours.
Saturday
Night
Mostly clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken with very light snow developing late in the day.
Saturday
Night
Mostly clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken with very light snow developing late in the day.
Saturday
Night
Mostly clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken with very light snow developing late in the day.
Saturday
Night
Mostly clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight. Decreasing mostly light ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken with very light snow developing late in the day. Light ridgeline winds. Light E winds early in the day shift back W at the Pass.
Saturday
Night
Mostly clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight. Decreasing mostly light ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken with very light snow developing late in the day. Light ridgeline winds. Light E winds early in the day shift back W at the Pass.
Saturday
Night
Isolated snow showers in the evening. Increasing high clouds overnight. Light to moderate ridgeline winds become light.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken with a chance of very light snow late in the day.
Saturday
Night
Mostly clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight. Light to moderate ridgeline winds become light.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken.
Saturday
Night
Mostly clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight. Light to moderate ridgeline winds become light.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken with a chance of very light snow late in the day. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Saturday
Night
Mostly clear in the evening with increasing high clouds overnight. Decrasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday
High clouds lower and thicken with a chance of very light rain or snow late in the day. Warming trend. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Saturday, March 14, 2026
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
Sunday
Sunday Night
Monday
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge
0
0.25
LT 0.25
0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0.75
0.75
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
0
LT 0.10
0.50
0.75
Stevens Pass
0
LT 0.10
0.25 - 0.50
0.50
Snoqualmie Pass
0
LT 0.10
0.50
0.50 - 0.75
Crystal Mt
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Paradise
0
0.25
0.25 - 0.50
0.50
White Pass
0
LT 0.10
0.25
LT 0.25
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
0
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
0
LT 0.10
0.25
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
0
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
Timberline
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0.25
Sunday Night
LT 0.25
Monday
0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0.75
Monday
0.75
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0.50
Monday
0.75
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Monday
0.50
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0.50
Monday
0.50 - 0.75
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
LT 0.25
Monday
LT 0.25
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0.25
Sunday Night
0.25 - 0.50
Monday
0.50
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0.25
Monday
LT 0.25
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
LT 0.10
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
LT 0.25
Monday
LT 0.25
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
0.25
Monday
0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
0
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
LT 0.10
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night
0
Sunday
LT 0.10
Sunday Night
LT 0.10
Monday
0
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Saturday, March 14, 2026
Snow Level (ft)
Saturday
Evening
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Morning*
Sunday
Afternoon
Sunday
Evening*
Sunday
Night
Monday
Morning
Monday
Afternoon
Olympics
2000'
1500'
1500'
2500'
4500'
8000'
10000'
9000'
West North
0
500'
1000'
1000'
2500'
500'
6500'
7000'
West Central
1500'
500'
1000'
1500'
3000'
3500'
7500'
8000'
West South
2000'
500'
1000'
3000'
5000'
6500'
9000'
8500'
Stevens Pass
1500'
500'
1000'
1000'
3000'
4000'
8000'
8000'
Snoqualmie Pass
1500'
500'
1000'
1500'
3000'
5000'
8500'
8500'
East North
0
0
500'
1500'
2500'
3500'
5500'
8000'
East Central
1500'
500'
1000'
3000'
3000'
5000'
9000'
8500'
East South
2000'
1000'
1500'
4000'
5000'
6500'
10000'
9000'
Mt. Hood
3000'
2000'
3500'
4000'
6000'
6500'
11500'
11500'
Olympics
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
1500'
Sunday
Morning*
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
2500'
Sunday
Evening*
4500'
Sunday
Night
8000'
Monday
Morning
10000'
Monday
Afternoon
9000'
West North
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
0'
Saturday
Night
500'
Sunday
Morning*
1000'
Sunday
Afternoon
1000'
Sunday
Evening*
2500'
Sunday
Night
500'
Monday
Morning
6500'
Monday
Afternoon
7000'
West Central
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
1500'
Saturday
Night
500'
Sunday
Morning*
1000'
Sunday
Afternoon
1500'
Sunday
Evening*
3000'
Sunday
Night
3500'
Monday
Morning
7500'
Monday
Afternoon
8000'
West South
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
500'
Sunday
Morning*
1000'
Sunday
Afternoon
3000'
Sunday
Evening*
5000'
Sunday
Night
6500'
Monday
Morning
9000'
Monday
Afternoon
8500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
1500'
Saturday
Night
500'
Sunday
Morning*
1000'
Sunday
Afternoon
1000'
Sunday
Evening*
3000'
Sunday
Night
4000'
Monday
Morning
8000'
Monday
Afternoon
8000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
1500'
Saturday
Night
500'
Sunday
Morning*
1000'
Sunday
Afternoon
1500'
Sunday
Evening*
3000'
Sunday
Night
5000'
Monday
Morning
8500'
Monday
Afternoon
8500'
East North
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
0'
Saturday
Night
0'
Sunday
Morning*
500'
Sunday
Afternoon
1500'
Sunday
Evening*
2500'
Sunday
Night
3500'
Monday
Morning
5500'
Monday
Afternoon
8000'
East Central
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
1500'
Saturday
Night
500'
Sunday
Morning*
1000'
Sunday
Afternoon
3000'
Sunday
Evening*
3000'
Sunday
Night
5000'
Monday
Morning
9000'
Monday
Afternoon
8500'
East South
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
2000'
Saturday
Night
1000'
Sunday
Morning*
1500'
Sunday
Afternoon
4000'
Sunday
Evening*
5000'
Sunday
Night
6500'
Monday
Morning
10000'
Monday
Afternoon
9000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Saturday
Evening
3000'
Saturday
Night
2000'
Sunday
Morning*
3500'
Sunday
Afternoon
4000'
Sunday
Evening*
6000'
Sunday
Night
6500'
Monday
Morning
11500'
Monday
Afternoon
11500'
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Saturday, March 14, 2026
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
24 / 18
32 / 23
West North
22 / 17
31 / 20
West Central
21 / 16
34 / 22
West South
27 / 17
35 / 24
Stevens Pass
23 / 16
35 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass
22 / 15
34 / 22
East North
21 / 13
29 / 14
East Central
22 / 16
34 / 22
East South
27 / 19
37 / 22
Mt. Hood
29 / 24
42 / 28
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
24 / 18
Sunday
32 / 23
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
22 / 17
Sunday
31 / 20
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
21 / 16
Sunday
34 / 22
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
27 / 17
Sunday
35 / 24
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
23 / 16
Sunday
35 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
22 / 15
Sunday
34 / 22
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
21 / 13
Sunday
29 / 14
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
22 / 16
Sunday
34 / 22
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
27 / 19
Sunday
37 / 22
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Saturday
Night
29 / 24
Sunday
42 / 28
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Saturday, March 14, 2026
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
Saturday
Night
Sunday
Morning
Sunday
Afternoon
Olympics
WNW 5-15
W 0-10
SW 5-15
WSW 5-15
West North
W 0-10
W 0-10
S 0-10
S 10-20
West Central
WNW 5-15
WNW 0-10
SE 0-10
SSW 5-15
West South
WNW 5-15
NW 0-10
S 0-10
WSW 5-15
Stevens Pass
WNW 5-15
NW 0-10
SSE 0-10
SW 0-10
Snoqualmie Pass
WNW 10-20
NW 5-15
ESE 0-10
SW 0-10
East North
W 5-15
WNW 0-10
SSW 0-10
SSW 5-15
East Central
WNW 10-20
NW 5-15
SSW 0-10
SW 5-15
East South
WNW 10-20
WNW 0-10
SSW 0-10
WSW 5-15
Mt. Hood
WNW 10-20
NW 5-15
WSW 5-15
WSW 15-25
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Saturday
Night
W
0-10
Sunday
Morning
SW
5-15
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
5-15
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
0-10
Saturday
Night
W
0-10
Sunday
Morning
S
0-10
Sunday
Afternoon
S
10-20
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Saturday
Night
WNW
0-10
Sunday
Morning
SE
0-10
Sunday
Afternoon
SSW
5-15
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Saturday
Night
NW
0-10
Sunday
Morning
S
0-10
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
5-15
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Saturday
Night
NW
0-10
Sunday
Morning
SSE
0-10
Sunday
Afternoon
SW
0-10
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WNW
10-20
Saturday
Night
NW
5-15
Sunday
Morning
ESE
0-10
Sunday
Afternoon
SW
0-10
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
W
5-15
Saturday
Night
WNW
0-10
Sunday
Morning
SSW
0-10
Sunday
Afternoon
SSW
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WNW
10-20
Saturday
Night
NW
5-15
Sunday
Morning
SSW
0-10
Sunday
Afternoon
SW
5-15
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WNW
10-20
Saturday
Night
WNW
0-10
Sunday
Morning
SSW
0-10
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
5-15
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday
Evening
WNW
10-20
Saturday
Night
NW
5-15
Sunday
Morning
WSW
5-15
Sunday
Afternoon
WSW
15-25
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Saturday, March 14, 2026
Extended Weather Synopsis
The high-pressure center drifts eastward into southern California, opening the door for more moisture into the Pacific Northwest. Expect rounds of moderate to locally heavy precipitation to impact the region with no cold component. More significant moisture finally makes it down to Mt Hood by late Tuesday, but the more sustained moisture remains directed toward Washington State and British Columbia. Snow levels stabilize around 6000-6500 ft in the north and 7500-8500 ft in the south.
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).