Weather
This forecast was created at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18
A series of storms will keep the Pacific Northwest active through early next week, with moderate snow in the Cascades through Thursday, a milder pattern Friday, and a more potent surge of moisture arriving over the weekend. Mild temperatures and higher snow levels will dominate late in the weekend and into early next week, favoring mostly rain below 5000-6000 feet. Some cooler air may arrive by mid-next week, dropping snow levels again. Expect periodic gusty winds in the mountains, especially during frontal passages.
The midweek system is already delivering fresh snow to higher elevations through Thursday. Lingering showers will persist into Thursday morning, with snow levels hovering between 3,500-4,,500 feet. Mountain passes will see moderate accumulations, while lower slopes observe occasional mixed precipitation or drizzle. Afternoon temperatures will remain seasonably cool at higher elevations but will stay mild enough in the foothills to limit snow accumulations below about 4,000 feet. Winds in the mountains may be breezy, but widespread strong gusts are not expected to significantly impact skiing at most resorts.
Friday brings a weak wave with light mountain snow before conditions briefly dry out. Snow levels will drift upward toward 5000 feet or slightly higher. Most of the precipitation with this passing disturbance will fall along and west of the Cascade crest, with only minor accumulations—likely just a couple of inches in the highest terrain. By late Friday, a break develops across much of the region, offering some partly sunny skies for lower elevations on Saturday morning.
An atmospheric river heads in Saturday night through Sunday, delivering warmer temperatures, rising snow levels, and moderate to heavy precipitation. Snow levels could climb to around 6000-7000 feet by Sunday, meaning lower ski slopes may see mostly rain, with substantial snow confined to the upper mountain. Expect gusty south-southwest winds on exposed ridges, making for potentially challenging conditions on the highest lifts. Precipitation could continue into Monday as another moisture surge arrives, though amounts may vary. Late Monday into Tuesday, snow levels may begin trending lower (near 4500 feet), allowing more mid- and lower-elevation terrain to see some accumulating snow. Looking further ahead, outlooks favor generally active weather with near or above-normal precipitation chances, but there may be brief windows of high pressure and drier weather.
Resort Forecast Totals
- Whistler – 17″–32” Thu night (02/20) – Mon (02/24)
- Mt Baker – 11″–22” total (4″–6” Wed (02/19) – Thu (02/20) + 4″–7” Fri (02/21) – Sun (02/23) + 3″–9” Sun night (02/23) – Mon (02/24))
- Stevens Pass – 4″–11” total (2″–4” Wed (02/19) – Thu (02/20) + 1″–2” Fri night (02/21) – Sat (02/22) + 1″–5” Sun night (02/23) – Mon (02/24))
- Crystal Mountain – 2″–5” Sun night (02/23) – Mon (02/24)
- Timberline – 2″–4” Wed (02/19) – Thu (02/20)
- Mt Bachelor – 2″–3” Wed (02/19) – Thu (02/20)
