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Backcountry Access Road Closure

Due to recent storm damage, the access road to the northern trailhead is closed until further notice. Please use alternate routes.

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Mountain Weather

Issued
Thursday, October 15, 2026 - 2:30PM
Author
Rachel Fryan

Weather Synopsis

THIS IS NOT A REAL FORECAST. THIS IS USED FOR TESTING PURPOSES ONLY! NWAC NOR RACHEL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU NOT READING THIS FIRST LINE AND THINKING THIS IS REAL.

The much-needed snow accumulation pattern continues across the Pacific Northwest as a cool upper-level trough combines with moist WSW winds and an unstable atmosphere. As that moist, unstable air hits the mountains, it triggers moderate to locally heavy snow showers on the windward slopes, with enough wind to push some moisture over the Cascade Crest. More sustained, intense precipitation is possible at times, especially in convergence zones targeting Mt. Baker, the Mountain Loop, and Stevens Pass. These bands of convergence are more likely associated with more organized "comma clouds." The first is passing late Friday and is likely to trigger an uptick in snow showers Friday evening.

As the weekend progresses, a trough amplifies offshore, and winds turn more southwesterly. This nudges the precipitation focus slightly northward. As a result, snowfall decreases on Mt. Hood but increases in the Olympics and at Mt. Baker. A more organized system approaching late Sunday should bring some more sustained snowfall to the region during the mid-day and afternoon hours.

Through the weekend, expect 1-3 feet of low-density snow in areas near and west of the Cascade Crest, with lighter totals of 4-8 inches at Blewett Pass and Mission Ridge. Snow levels should be in the 1000-2500 ft range through Saturday morning, then rise 500 ft or so from Saturday morning onward in areas west of the Cascade Crest. The east slopes and passes should stay cooler as light E pass-level winds develop Saturday night.

Weather Summary by Zone

Tonight · Thu Oct 15

Light to moderate snow showers (moderate to heavy intensity during squalls). Light to moderate ridgeline winds.

Tomorrow · Fri Oct 16

Moderate snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.

Precipitation and Snow (in)

Precipitation (liquid, in) and new snow by station; Total covers the whole forecast. Precip is the liquid equivalent of all precipitation (rain, snow, ice pellets), to the hundredth of an inch. To estimate snow, start at 10:1 (1" of precip ≈ 10" of snow); near freezing gives less (heavy, wet snow), very cold more (light, dry snow).

StationNight
PrecipSnow
Olympics
Hurricane Ridge0.4"3–5"
West North
Mt Baker Ski Area0.58"5–7"
West Central
Mt Loop — Barlow Pass0.5"4–6"
West South
Crystal Mountain0.19"1–3"
Paradise0.75"6–10"
White Pass0.55"5–7"
Mt St Helens0.55"5–7"
Stevens Pass
Stevens Pass0.46"4–6"
Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass0.5"4–6"
East North
Washington Pass0.4"3–5"
East Central
Mission Ridge0.09"0.5–2"
Salmon la Sac — Gallagher Head0.42"3–5"
East South
Tieton River — Darland Mt0.28"2–4"
Mt Hood
Mt Hood Meadows0.28"2–4"
Timberline0.3"2–4"

SnowT–2", 1–7", 5–16", 12"+

Snow and Freezing Level (ft)

The general snow level over each 6 hours; a freezing level instead when no precipitation is expected.

ZoneEveningNight
Olympics1,500' snow level1,500' snow level
West North1,500' snow level1,500' snow level
West Central1,500' snow level1,500' snow level
West South2,000' snow level2,000' snow level
Stevens Pass1,500' snow level1,500' snow level
Snoqualmie Pass1,500' snow level2,000' snow level
East North500' snow level500' snow level
East Central1,500' snow level1,000' snow level
East South1,500' snow level1,500' snow level
Mt Hood2,500' snow level2,500' snow level

Snow level; none, freezing level<2,000', 2,000', 3,000', 4,000', 5,000', 6,000', 7,000', 8,000', 9,000', 10,000'+

5000' Temperatures (°F)

The high and low at 5000’ within each 12 hours, not a trend. The snow level, synopsis and weather summary say more about how temperatures change.

ZoneThu Oct 15Fri Oct 16
NightDay
Olympics23 / 2127 / 22
West North23 / 2026 / 21
West Central24 / 2326 / 23
West South24 / 2028 / 24
Stevens Pass24 / 2128 / 24
Snoqualmie Pass24 / 2328 / 24
East North19 / 1322 / 14
East Central23 / 2128 / 23
East South23 / 2129 / 24
Mt Hood27 / 2331 / 26

44 / 35 is the high / low

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

The average speed and direction over each 6 hours, from the 16-point compass direction the wind comes from. Ridgeline winds cover a range of elevations, differing by zone, that overlaps the near and above treeline bands of the avalanche forecast.

ZoneEveningNight
OlympicsWSW10–20Light to ModerateWSW10–20Light to Moderate
West NorthWSW10–20Light to ModerateSW15–25Moderate
West CentralWSW15–25ModerateSW15–25Moderate
West SouthW15–25ModerateWSW15–25Moderate
Stevens PassWSW15–25ModerateWSW10–20Light to Moderate
Snoqualmie PassW15–25ModerateWSW15–25Moderate
East NorthWSW20–30Moderate to StrongSW15–25Moderate
East CentralW20–30Moderate to StrongWSW20–30Moderate to Strong
East SouthW15–25ModerateWSW15–25Moderate
Mt HoodWSW20–30Moderate to StrongWSW20–30Moderate to Strong

Points the way the wind blowsVAR: variableWindLight, Light to Moderate, Moderate, Moderate to Strong, Strong, Strong to Extreme, Extreme

Extended

Outlook

A cool, snowy pattern continues. Sunday evening's frontal passage will maintain moderate to heavy snowfall, with light to moderate snow showers in its wake. Another organized front likely brings an uptick in snow showers Monday evening. A low-pressure center developing off the coast of California could bring a relative break in the snowfall and a significant decrease in ridgeline winds, but temperatures should remain cool.

Snow Levels (ft)

The general snow level over each 6 hours; a freezing level instead when no precipitation is expected.

ZoneNight
West North2,000' snow level
Snoqualmie Pass2,500' snow level
Mt Hood3,500' snow level

Snow level; none, freezing level<2,000', 2,000', 3,000', 4,000', 5,000', 6,000', 7,000', 8,000', 9,000', 10,000'+

This information is provided by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions. It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.