Mountain Weather
- Issued
- Sunday, November 15, 2026 - 7:10AM
- Author
- Rachel Fryan
Weather Synopsis
Good morning - this is out first Production test forecast
Operations Update: This is the last Mountain Weather Forecast of the 2025-26 season. NWAC will continue to monitor snow and weather conditions. Large storms and/or widespread avalanche cycles may cause us to issue special avalanche bulletins, avalanche warnings, or other spring statements. Mountain Weather Forecasts typically begin in mid-November for the winter season.
If you like sunshine and warm temperatures, you're in luck! We're wrapping up our weather forecasting season with a long stretch of warm and dry weather. A high pressure ridge has taken up residency over the Pacific Northwest and doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon. In general, each day should be fairly similar to the last, with only a few subtle changes.
Mostly clear skies Sunday night should allow snow surfaces to freeze in open areas, even as temperatures stay well above freezing. On Monday, 5000 ft temperatures easily climb into the low to mid 60s. Passing bands of high thin clouds won't do much to provide relief from the strong May sun. While the chance of showers and thunderstorms is less on Monday, there's still a slight possibility for convective precipitation to develop mainly in the southern forecast zones and near Mt Hood. While most locations won't see precipitation, keep your eyes on the sky. If dark, ominous clouds start to form, a thunderstorm could be heading your way.
Onshore flow Monday night may help draw slightly cooler air and a marine layer (clouds) into the lower elevations in the Olympics and west slopes of the Cascades. It's hard to say how far into the mountains any clouds will push. Higher in the terrain (5000 ft), diurnal temperature swings will once again allow nighttime lows to fall near 50 F. Temperatures quickly rebound on Tuesday, and any low clouds in the mountains retreat back to the coast. A passing disturbance to our east could spread a few more high and mid-level clouds over the area, primarily in the East North and East Central zones. But overall, it should be yet another warm, mostly sunny day in the mountains.
Enjoy the spring and summer! Mountain Weather Forecasts typically begin in mid-November for the winter season.
~NWAC's Weather Forecasting Team
Weather Summary by Zone
Today / Tonight · Sun Nov 15
Moderate to in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon.
Tomorrow · Mon Nov 16
Moderate to strong ridgeline winds in the evening becoming moderate overnight.
View the avalanche forecast for this zone (Olympics).
Precipitation and Snow (in)
Precipitation: Water Equivalent (WE) is the liquid water equivalent of all precipitation types; rain, snow, ice pellets, etc. and forecast to the hundredth of an inch at specific locations. Snow: Forecast at the same locations as precipitation but at 5,000’ in elevation. Snow forecasts are to the nearest whole inch and presented in a range.
| Zone | Station | Sun Nov 15 | Mon Nov 16 | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | Night | Day | 36 hrs | ||||||
| Precip | Snow@ 5000' | Precip | Snow@ 5000' | Precip | Snow@ 5000' | Precip | Snow@ 5000' | ||
| Olympics | Hurricane Ridge | 0.31" | 0.5–2" | 0.12" | 0.5–2" | 0 | 0 | 0.43" | 1–3" |
| West Slopes North | Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.34" | 0.5–2" | 0.14" | 0.5–2" | 0.08" | T–1" | 0.56" | 2–4" |
| West Slopes Central | Mt Loop — Barlow Pass | 0.22" | 0 | 0.16" | T–1" | 0.01" | 0 | 0.39" | T–1" |
| West Slopes South | Crystal Mountain | 0.34" | 1–3" | 0.02" | T–1" | 0.05" | 0 | 0.41" | 1–3" |
| Paradise | 0.4" | 2–4" | 0.1" | 0.5–2" | 0.1" | 1–3" | 0.6" | 5–7" | |
| White Pass | 0.13" | T–1" | 0.03" | T–1" | 0.03" | 0 | 0.19" | 0.5–2" | |
| Mt St Helens | 0.29" | 0.5–2" | 0.01" | T–1" | 0.17" | 0.5–2" | 0.47" | 1–3" | |
| Stevens Pass | Stevens Pass | 0.11" | T–1" | 0.13" | 0.5–2" | 0.01" | 0 | 0.25" | 0.5–2" |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | 0.21" | T–1" | 0 | 0 | 0.01" | 0 | 0.22" | T–1" |
| East Slopes North | Washington Pass | 0.05" | T–1" | 0.08" | 0.5–2" | 0.01" | 0 | 0.14" | 0.5–2" |
| East Slopes Central | Mission Ridge | 0.02" | T–1" | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.02" | T–1" |
| Salmon la Sac — Gallagher Head | 0.17" | T–1" | 0.01" | T–1" | 0 | 0 | 0.18" | T–1" | |
| East Slopes South | Tieton River — Darland Mt | 0.15" | 0.5–2" | 0.02" | T–1" | 0 | 0 | 0.17" | 0.5–2" |
| Mt Hood | Mt Hood Meadows | 0.24" | 0.5–2" | 0.07" | 0.5–2" | 0.08" | T–1" | 0.39" | 2–4" |
| Timberline | 0.23" | 0.5–2" | 0.06" | T–1" | 0.08" | T–1" | 0.37" | 1–3" | |
| Station | Day | Night | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precip | Snow@ 5000' | Precip | Snow@ 5000' | |
| Olympics | ||||
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.31" | 0.5–2" | 0.12" | 0.5–2" |
| West Slopes North | ||||
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.34" | 0.5–2" | 0.14" | 0.5–2" |
| West Slopes Central | ||||
| Mt Loop — Barlow Pass | 0.22" | 0 | 0.16" | T–1" |
| West Slopes South | ||||
| Crystal Mountain | 0.34" | 1–3" | 0.02" | T–1" |
| Paradise | 0.4" | 2–4" | 0.1" | 0.5–2" |
| White Pass | 0.13" | T–1" | 0.03" | T–1" |
| Mt St Helens | 0.29" | 0.5–2" | 0.01" | T–1" |
| Stevens Pass | ||||
| Stevens Pass | 0.11" | T–1" | 0.13" | 0.5–2" |
| Snoqualmie Pass | ||||
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.21" | T–1" | 0 | 0 |
| East Slopes North | ||||
| Washington Pass | 0.05" | T–1" | 0.08" | 0.5–2" |
| East Slopes Central | ||||
| Mission Ridge | 0.02" | T–1" | 0 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac — Gallagher Head | 0.17" | T–1" | 0.01" | T–1" |
| East Slopes South | ||||
| Tieton River — Darland Mt | 0.15" | 0.5–2" | 0.02" | T–1" |
| Mt Hood | ||||
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.24" | 0.5–2" | 0.07" | 0.5–2" |
| Timberline | 0.23" | 0.5–2" | 0.06" | T–1" |
Day 4 am–4 pm PSTNight 4 pm–4 am PSTSnowT–2", 1–7", 5–16", 12"+
Precipitation and Snow (in)
Precipitation: Water Equivalent (WE) is the liquid water equivalent of all precipitation types; rain, snow, ice pellets, etc. and forecast to the hundredth of an inch at specific locations. Snow: Forecast at the same locations as precipitation but at 5,000’ in elevation. Snow forecasts are to the nearest whole inch and presented in a range.
| Zone | Station | Sun Nov 15 | Sun Nov 15 – Mon Nov 16 | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day only | Night + Day | 36 hrs | |||||
| Precip | Snow@ 5000' | Precip | Snow@ 5000' | Precip | Snow@ 5000' | ||
| Olympics | Hurricane Ridge | 0.31" | 0.5–2" | 0.12" | 0.5–2" | 0.43" | 1–3" |
| West Slopes North | Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.34" | 0.5–2" | 0.22" | 1–3" | 0.56" | 2–4" |
| West Slopes Central | Mt Loop — Barlow Pass | 0.22" | 0 | 0.17" | T–1" | 0.39" | T–1" |
| West Slopes South | Crystal Mountain | 0.34" | 1–3" | 0.07" | T–1" | 0.41" | 1–3" |
| Paradise | 0.4" | 2–4" | 0.2" | 2–4" | 0.6" | 5–7" | |
| White Pass | 0.13" | T–1" | 0.06" | T–1" | 0.19" | 0.5–2" | |
| Mt St Helens | 0.29" | 0.5–2" | 0.18" | 0.5–2" | 0.47" | 1–3" | |
| Stevens Pass | Stevens Pass | 0.11" | T–1" | 0.14" | 0.5–2" | 0.25" | 0.5–2" |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | 0.21" | T–1" | 0.01" | 0 | 0.22" | T–1" |
| East Slopes North | Washington Pass | 0.05" | T–1" | 0.09" | 0.5–2" | 0.14" | 0.5–2" |
| East Slopes Central | Mission Ridge | 0.02" | T–1" | 0 | 0 | 0.02" | T–1" |
| Salmon la Sac — Gallagher Head | 0.17" | T–1" | 0.01" | T–1" | 0.18" | T–1" | |
| East Slopes South | Tieton River — Darland Mt | 0.15" | 0.5–2" | 0.02" | T–1" | 0.17" | 0.5–2" |
| Mt Hood | Mt Hood Meadows | 0.24" | 0.5–2" | 0.15" | 1–3" | 0.39" | 2–4" |
| Timberline | 0.23" | 0.5–2" | 0.14" | 0.5–2" | 0.37" | 1–3" | |
| Station | Day only | |
|---|---|---|
| Precip | Snow@ 5000' | |
| Olympics | ||
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.31" | 0.5–2" |
| West Slopes North | ||
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.34" | 0.5–2" |
| West Slopes Central | ||
| Mt Loop — Barlow Pass | 0.22" | 0 |
| West Slopes South | ||
| Crystal Mountain | 0.34" | 1–3" |
| Paradise | 0.4" | 2–4" |
| White Pass | 0.13" | T–1" |
| Mt St Helens | 0.29" | 0.5–2" |
| Stevens Pass | ||
| Stevens Pass | 0.11" | T–1" |
| Snoqualmie Pass | ||
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.21" | T–1" |
| East Slopes North | ||
| Washington Pass | 0.05" | T–1" |
| East Slopes Central | ||
| Mission Ridge | 0.02" | T–1" |
| Salmon la Sac — Gallagher Head | 0.17" | T–1" |
| East Slopes South | ||
| Tieton River — Darland Mt | 0.15" | 0.5–2" |
| Mt Hood | ||
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.24" | 0.5–2" |
| Timberline | 0.23" | 0.5–2" |
Day 4 am–4 pm PSTNight 4 pm–4 am PSTSnowT–2", 1–7", 5–16", 12"+
Snow and Freezing Level (ft)
The snow level forecast represents the general snow level over a 6 hr time period. Snow level is defined as the elevation that snow begins to accumulate on natural surfaces. Snow may accumulate even when the surface temperature is slightly above freezing. Freezing levels are forecast when precipitation is not expected. Freezing levels often drop rapidly with the onset of precipitation. During periods with temperature inversions, there may be multiple freezing levels. We forecast the freezing level that most users will experience in the mountains.
| Zone | Sun Nov 15Day | Sun Nov 15Night | Mon Nov 16Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Night | Morning | Afternoon | |
| Olympics | 5,000' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 4,000' freezing level | 8,000' freezing level |
| West Slopes North | 5,000' snow level | 5,500' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 4,000' snow level | 7,000' snow level |
| West Slopes Central | 4,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 5,500' snow level | 5,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level |
| West Slopes South | 8,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 10,000' snow level | 5,500' snow level |
| Stevens Pass | 4,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 1,000' snow level | 6,500' snow level |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 5,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 6,000' freezing level | 5,500' freezing level | 3,000' snow level | 4,500' snow level |
| East Slopes North | 6,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 5,500' snow level | 5,000' snow level | 4,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level |
| East Slopes Central | 5,500' snow level | 5,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 5,000' snow level | 4,000' freezing level | 5,000' freezing level |
| East Slopes South | 6,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 5,000' snow level | 4,000' freezing level | 6,000' freezing level |
| Mt Hood | 5,500' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 5,000' snow level | 5,000' snow level | 7,000' snow level |
| Zone | Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 5,000' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 6,500' snow level |
| West Slopes North | 5,000' snow level | 5,500' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 4,500' snow level |
| West Slopes Central | 4,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 5,500' snow level |
| West Slopes South | 8,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 6,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level |
| Stevens Pass | 4,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 4,500' snow level |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 5,000' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 6,000' freezing level | 5,500' freezing level |
| East Slopes North | 6,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 5,500' snow level | 5,000' snow level |
| East Slopes Central | 5,500' snow level | 5,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 5,000' snow level |
| East Slopes South | 6,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 5,000' snow level |
| Mt Hood | 5,500' snow level | 4,500' snow level | 6,000' snow level | 5,000' 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 low and high temperature at 5000’ over a 12 hr period. The 6 hr snow level forecast, overall synopsis and zone weather summary may give more detail on temperature trends.
| Zone | Sun Nov 15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Day | Night | |
| Olympics | 27° / 31° | 25° / 28° |
| West Slopes North | 28° / 34° | 25° / 29° |
| West Slopes Central | 29° / 33° | 22° / 29° |
| West Slopes South | 31° / 35° | 24° / 30° |
| Stevens Pass | 31° / 35° | 22° / 30° |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 29° / 33° | 21° / 29° |
| East Slopes North | 29° / 35° | 22° / 29° |
| East Slopes Central | 32° / 35° | 23° / 30° |
| East Slopes South | 32° / 35° | 26° / 31° |
| Mt Hood | 32° / 35° | 26° / 32° |
| Zone | Sun Nov 15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Day | Night | |
| Olympics | 27° / 31° | 25° / 28° |
| West Slopes North | 28° / 34° | 25° / 29° |
| West Slopes Central | 29° / 33° | 22° / 29° |
| West Slopes South | 31° / 35° | 24° / 30° |
| Stevens Pass | 31° / 35° | 22° / 30° |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 29° / 33° | 21° / 29° |
| East Slopes North | 29° / 35° | 22° / 29° |
| East Slopes Central | 32° / 35° | 23° / 30° |
| East Slopes South | 32° / 35° | 26° / 31° |
| Mt Hood | 32° / 35° | 26° / 32° |
Lo / Hi in 12 hours
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Ridgeline winds represent the average wind speed and direction over a 6 hr time period. The wind forecast represents an elevation range versus a single elevation. The elevation range overlaps with the middle and upper elevation bands in the avalanche forecast and differs per zone. Wind direction () is the direction the wind is blowing from, given in degrees or cardinal direction on a 16 pt compass rose. Ex: A west (W) wind blows east (E).
| Zone | Sun Nov 15Day | Sun Nov 15Night | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Night | |
| Olympics | SW20–30Moderate to Strong | SSW15–25Moderate | SSW20–30Moderate to Strong | SSW15–25Moderate |
| West Slopes North | SSW20–30Moderate to Strong | S15–25Moderate | SSW15–25Moderate | S15–25Moderate |
| West Slopes Central | SW15–25Moderate | SSW10–20Light to Moderate | SSW10–20Light to Moderate | SSW5–10Light |
| West Slopes South | SW15–25Moderate | SW10–20Light to Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | WSW5–10Light |
| Stevens Pass | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | SW5–10Light | WSW5–10Light |
| Snoqualmie Pass | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | WSW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | W5–10Light |
| East Slopes North | SSW10–20Light to Moderate | SSW10–20Light to Moderate | SSW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate |
| East Slopes Central | SSW15–25Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | WSW15–25Moderate | WSW10–20Light to Moderate |
| East Slopes South | SW10–20Light to Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | WSW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | W5–10Light |
| Mt Hood | SW20–30Moderate to Strong | SW10–20Light to Moderate | WSW15–25Moderate | WSW5–10Light |
| Zone | Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympics | SW20–30Moderate to Strong | SSW15–25Moderate | SSW20–30Moderate to Strong | SSW15–25Moderate |
| West Slopes North | SSW20–30Moderate to Strong | S15–25Moderate | SSW15–25Moderate | S15–25Moderate |
| West Slopes Central | SW15–25Moderate | SSW10–20Light to Moderate | SSW10–20Light to Moderate | SSW5–10Light |
| West Slopes South | SW15–25Moderate | SW10–20Light to Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | WSW5–10Light |
| Stevens Pass | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | SW5–10Light | WSW5–10Light |
| Snoqualmie Pass | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | WSW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | W5–10Light |
| East Slopes North | SSW10–20Light to Moderate | SSW10–20Light to Moderate | SSW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate |
| East Slopes Central | SSW15–25Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | WSW15–25Moderate | WSW10–20Light to Moderate |
| East Slopes South | SW10–20Light to Moderate | SW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | WSW10–15Light to occasionally Moderate | W5–10Light |
| Mt Hood | SW20–30Moderate to Strong | SW10–20Light to Moderate | WSW15–25Moderate | WSW5–10Light |
VAR: variableLight, Light to Moderate, Moderate, Moderate to Strong, Strong, Strong to Extreme, Extreme
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.