Mountain Weather
- Issued
- Sunday, October 11, 2026 - 2:30PM
- Author
- Rachel Fryan
- Issued
- Sunday, October 11, 2026 - 7:00AM
- Author
- Rachel Fryan
Weather Synopsis
With mountain temperatures in the 40s to 60s this afternoon, you might wonder what season it is. Late Spring-like temperatures are warmer along the west slopes of the Cascades and the Olympics, but the unseasonable warmth has spread across the region. We'll see more of the same tonight, with mild mid/upper mountain temperatures and below the inversions, areas of valley fog, and stratus along the eastern slopes. There will be periods of high clouds overnight as well.
On Friday, strong upper level ridging centered over the Great Basin will begin to break down as a weather system approaches, and winds will become more westerly. While 5000' temperatures will be a few degrees cooler on Friday vs today, low-level inversions should mix during the day and lower elevation slopes that had been relatively cooler should pop up. This should also clear out any low clouds/fog that form (or in Snoqualmie's case, they never really left) overnight. Expect partly to mostly sunny skies on Friday, with another round of high clouds over the region.
Change is in the air as the Pacific frontal system approaches Friday night with a slow increase in cloud cover. The timing of the precipitation is still a bit of a moving target; heavy precipitation may move into the WA Cascades during the day, or it may be confined mostly to the northwest Cascades and Olympics. Either way, this frontal system will start warmer than we'd like, with 5000-5500' snow levels in the north, gradually warming as you travel south to Mt Hood into the 6500-7000' range.
Weather Summary by Zone
Tonight · Sun Oct 11
Mostly clear with a few high clouds. Areas of valley fog. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tomorrow · Mon Oct 12
Partly to mostly sunny with periods of high clouds and filtered sunshine. Moderate ridgeline winds.
View the avalanche forecast for this zone (Olympics).
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).
| Station | Sun Oct 11 | Mon Oct 12 | Tue Oct 13 | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night | Day | Night | Day | |||||||
| Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | |
| Olympics | ||||||||||
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.42" | 3–5" | 0.42" | 3–5" |
| West North | ||||||||||
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.85" | 7–11" | 0.85" | 7–11" |
| West Central | ||||||||||
| Mt Loop — Barlow Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.74" | 5–9" | 0.74" | 5–9" |
| West South | ||||||||||
| Crystal Mountain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.21" | 1–3" | 0.21" | 1–3" |
| White Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.15" | 1–3" | 0.15" | 1–3" |
| Mt St Helens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.43" | 3–5" | 0.43" | 3–5" |
| Tieton River — Darland Mt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.04" | T–1" | 0.04" | T–1" |
| Stevens Pass | ||||||||||
| Stevens Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.35" | 3–5" | 0.35" | 3–5" |
| Snoqualmie Pass | ||||||||||
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.35" | 3–5" | 0.35" | 3–5" |
| East North | ||||||||||
| Washington Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.25" | 2–4" | 0.25" | 2–4" |
| East Central | ||||||||||
| Paradise | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.43" | 3–5" | 0.43" | 3–5" |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.05" | T–1" | 0.05" | T–1" |
| Salmon la Sac — Gallagher Head | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.16" | 1–3" | 0.16" | 1–3" |
| East South | ||||||||||
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.02" | T–1" | 0.02" | T–1" |
| Mt Hood | ||||||||||
| Timberline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.02" | T–1" | 0.02" | T–1" |
SnowT–2", 1–7", 5–16", 12"+
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).
| Station | Sun Oct 11 – Mon Oct 12 | Mon Oct 12 – Tue Oct 13 | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night + Day | Night + Day | |||||
| Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | |
| Olympics | ||||||
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0.42" | 3–5" | 0.42" | 3–5" |
| West North | ||||||
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | 0 | 0.85" | 7–11" | 0.85" | 7–11" |
| West Central | ||||||
| Mt Loop — Barlow Pass | 0 | 0 | 0.74" | 5–9" | 0.74" | 5–9" |
| West South | ||||||
| Crystal Mountain | 0 | 0 | 0.21" | 1–3" | 0.21" | 1–3" |
| White Pass | 0 | 0 | 0.15" | 1–3" | 0.15" | 1–3" |
| Mt St Helens | 0 | 0 | 0.43" | 3–5" | 0.43" | 3–5" |
| Tieton River — Darland Mt | 0 | 0 | 0.04" | T–1" | 0.04" | T–1" |
| Stevens Pass | ||||||
| Stevens Pass | 0 | 0 | 0.35" | 3–5" | 0.35" | 3–5" |
| Snoqualmie Pass | ||||||
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 | 0 | 0.35" | 3–5" | 0.35" | 3–5" |
| East North | ||||||
| Washington Pass | 0 | 0 | 0.25" | 2–4" | 0.25" | 2–4" |
| East Central | ||||||
| Paradise | 0 | 0 | 0.43" | 3–5" | 0.43" | 3–5" |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0.05" | T–1" | 0.05" | T–1" |
| Salmon la Sac — Gallagher Head | 0 | 0 | 0.16" | 1–3" | 0.16" | 1–3" |
| East South | ||||||
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | 0 | 0.02" | T–1" | 0.02" | T–1" |
| Mt Hood | ||||||
| Timberline | 0 | 0 | 0.02" | T–1" | 0.02" | T–1" |
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.
| Zone | Sun Oct 11Night | Mon Oct 12Day | Mon Oct 12Night | Tue Oct 13Day | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening | Night | Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Night | Morning | Afternoon | |
| Olympics | 11,000' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 8,500' snow level | 8,000' snow level | 7,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level |
| West North | 11,000' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 9,000' snow level | 8,000' snow level | 7,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 5,000' snow level |
| West Central | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 9,000' snow level | 8,000' snow level | 7,500' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 5,500' snow level |
| West South | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 8,500' snow level | 7,500' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level |
| Stevens Pass | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 9,000' snow level | 8,000' snow level | 7,500' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 5,500' snow level |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 9,000' snow level | 8,000' snow level | 7,500' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level |
| East North | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 8,500' snow level | 7,000' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 5,000' snow level |
| East Central | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 8,500' snow level | 7,500' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level |
| East South | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 8,500' snow level | 7,500' snow level | 7,000' snow level | 6,500' snow level |
| Mt Hood | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 9,000' snow level | 8,000' snow level | 7,000' snow level | 7,000' 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.
| Zone | Sun Oct 11 | Mon Oct 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Night | Day | |
| Olympics | 48 / 41 | 47 / 39 |
| West North | 48 / 39 | 46 / 38 |
| West Central | 45 / 39 | 46 / 39 |
| West South | 45 / 40 | 50 / 41 |
| Stevens Pass | 42 / 37 | 48 / 39 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 43 / 38 | 47 / 40 |
| East North | 39 / 32 | 47 / 35 |
| East Central | 41 / 39 | 48 / 40 |
| East South | 42 / 39 | 52 / 40 |
| Mt Hood | 46 / 42 | 53 / 45 |
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.
| Zone | Sun Oct 11Night | Mon Oct 12Day | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evening | Night | Morning | Afternoon | |
| Olympics | S10–20Light to Moderate | SW10–20Light to Moderate | SW10–20Light to Moderate | SSW15–25Moderate |
| West North | S10–20Light to Moderate | S10–20Light to Moderate | S10–20Light to Moderate | SSW10–20Light to Moderate |
| West Central | SSE10–20Light to Moderate | SW5–10Light | SW5–10Light | SW10–20Light to Moderate |
| West South | S10–20Light to Moderate | SW5–10Light | SW5–10Light | SW10–20Light to Moderate |
| Stevens Pass | SE10–20Light to Moderate | SSW5–10Light | WSW5–10Light | SW5–10Light |
| Snoqualmie Pass | SE15–25Moderate | SSW5–10Light | WSW5–10Light | WSW10–20Light to Moderate |
| East North | SSE5–10Light | SSW5–10Light | SW5–10Light | WSW10–20Light to Moderate |
| East Central | SSE15–25Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | WSW10–20Light to Moderate | WSW15–25Moderate |
| East South | SSE10–20Light to Moderate | WSW5–10Light | WSW5–10Light | WSW10–20Light to Moderate |
| Mt Hood | SW5–10Light | WSW5–10Light | W5–10Light | WSW5–10Light |
Points the way the wind blowsVAR: variable
Extended
Outlook
Heavier precipitation and stormy conditions are likely Saturday night as the frontal system slowly sags south, with snow levels falling into the 4500-5500' range. Post-frontal showers over the WA Cascades may peter out quickly on Sunday, but a new frontal wave developing along the jet stream pointed into northern Oregon will begin to spread new precipitation inland. It's unclear if this system will mainly impact the Mt Hood area and the southern WA Cascades, or if precipitation will spread further northward. The track of the storm will have an impact on snow levels.
On Monday, we're likely to see some light showers in weak westerly flow aloft along with slightly cooler snow levels.
Snow Levels (ft)
The general snow level over each 6 hours; a freezing level instead when no precipitation is expected.
| Zone | Tue Oct 13 | Wed Oct 14 | Thu Oct 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Night | Day | Night | Day | |
| West North | 4,500' snow level | 3,500' snow level | 2,500' snow level | 2,500' snow level |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 5,000' snow level | 4,000' snow level | 3,000' snow level | 3,000' snow level |
| Mt Hood | 6,000' snow level | 5,000' snow level | 3,500' snow level | 3,500' 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'+
Weather Synopsis
High pressure is firmly in control over the western U.S, with dry, clear and warm conditions over the region. Mid and upper mountain temperatures are well above freezing, with some sites over 50F(!) this morning for the second day in a row. Valley fog on the west slide and fog/stratus along the eastern slopes will continue today with stronger inversions, less mixing for the lower elevations along the east slopes. Low clouds and fog will nip at the Cascade Passes all day as well. We'll see some high clouds this afternon make for passing periods of filtered sun. SE-S winds will be breezy in the Passes, Mt Hood and areas near and east of the Cascade crest.
Even though the low clouds persist in these areas, it's an even thinner layer of moisture. It feels strange to highlight relative humidity (RH), but it's very dry above the low-level inversions, with some stations reporting RHs in the 10-20% range - keep the chapstick handy!
More of the same tonight with high freezing levels, mostly clear skies, temperature inversions, and low clouds and valley fog. The upper level ridge will begin to break down on Friday. Temperatures will still be quite mild, but freezing levels will lower very slowly during the day, with some scattered high clouds starting to roll in during Friday afternoon. Offshore flow will weaken and day-time inversions should be weaker along the east slopes of the Cascades, and low clouds may actually clear out of the Passes.
Weather Summary by Zone
Today / Tonight · Sun Oct 11
Mostly sunny, with a few high clouds and periods of filtered sunshine in the afternoon. Light to occasionally moderate ridgeline winds. Night: Mostly clear with a few high clouds. Areas of valley fog. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tomorrow · Mon Oct 12
Mostly clear with a few high clouds. Areas of valley fog. Moderate ridgeline winds.
View the avalanche forecast for this zone (Olympics).
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).
| Station | Sun Oct 11 | Mon Oct 12 | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | Night | Day | ||||||
| Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | |
| Olympics | ||||||||
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West North | ||||||||
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Central | ||||||||
| Mt Loop — Barlow Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West South | ||||||||
| Crystal Mountain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt St Helens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tieton River — Darland Mt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | ||||||||
| Stevens Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | ||||||||
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| East North | ||||||||
| Washington Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| East Central | ||||||||
| Paradise | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac — Gallagher Head | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| East South | ||||||||
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood | ||||||||
| Timberline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SnowT–2", 1–7", 5–16", 12"+
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).
| Station | Sun Oct 11 | Sun Oct 11 – Mon Oct 12 | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day only | Night + Day | |||||
| Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | Precip | Snow | |
| Olympics | ||||||
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West North | ||||||
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Central | ||||||
| Mt Loop — Barlow Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West South | ||||||
| Crystal Mountain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt St Helens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tieton River — Darland Mt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | ||||||
| Stevens Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | ||||||
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| East North | ||||||
| Washington Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| East Central | ||||||
| Paradise | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac — Gallagher Head | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| East South | ||||||
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood | ||||||
| Timberline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
| Zone | Sun Oct 11Day | Sun Oct 11Night | Mon Oct 12Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Night | Morning | Afternoon | |
| Olympics | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,000' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 8,500' snow level |
| West North | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,000' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 9,000' snow level |
| West Central | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 9,000' snow level |
| West South | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level |
| Stevens Pass | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 9,000' snow level |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 9,500' snow level | 9,000' snow level |
| East North | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level |
| East Central | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level |
| East South | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' snow level |
| Mt Hood | 12,500' snow level | 12,500' snow level | 11,500' snow level | 10,500' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 9,500' 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.
| Zone | Sun Oct 11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Day | Night | |
| Olympics | 59 / 49 | 49 / 41 |
| West North | 59 / 49 | 48 / 39 |
| West Central | 58 / 46 | 45 / 40 |
| West South | 60 / 45 | 47 / 41 |
| Stevens Pass | 52 / 38 | 42 / 38 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 53 / 40 | 43 / 40 |
| East North | 48 / 34 | 39 / 36 |
| East Central | 51 / 37 | 41 / 40 |
| East South | 53 / 40 | 43 / 40 |
| Mt Hood | 55 / 48 | 44 / 43 |
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.
| Zone | Sun Oct 11Day | Sun Oct 11Night | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Night | |
| Olympics | S5–10Light | S5–10Light | S10–20Light to Moderate | SW10–20Light to Moderate |
| West North | S5–10Light | SSE5–10Light | S10–20Light to Moderate | S10–20Light to Moderate |
| West Central | S5–10Light | SE5–10Light | SSE10–20Light to Moderate | SW5–10Light |
| West South | SE15–25Moderate | SE15–25Moderate | S10–20Light to Moderate | SW5–10Light |
| Stevens Pass | SE10–20Light to Moderate | SE10–20Light to Moderate | SE5–10Light | SSW5–10Light |
| Snoqualmie Pass | SE15–25Moderate | SE15–25Moderate | SE10–20Light to Moderate | SSW5–10Light |
| East North | S5–10Light | S10–20Light to Moderate | SSE5–10Light | SSW5–10Light |
| East Central | S10–20Light to Moderate | S10–20Light to Moderate | SSE10–20Light to Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate |
| East South | S10–20Light to Moderate | SSE10–20Light to Moderate | SSE10–20Light to Moderate | WSW5–10Light |
| Mt Hood | SE15–25Moderate | SE10–20Light to Moderate | SW5–10Light | WSW5–10Light |
Points the way the wind blowsVAR: variable
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.