Weather
A prolonged series of storm systems will bring multiple rounds of snow to the Pacific Northwest mountains, with snow levels generally trending lower over the next several days and fresh accumulations stacking up steadily. Expect periods of moderate to heavy snowfall across the Cascades, with the heaviest totals likely from late week into the weekend. Snow quality will range from fair to occasionally quite good, especially during colder overnight windows. An active pattern continues into next week, with additional snowfall potential as below-normal temperatures and unsettled weather persist.
The first wave arrives Tuesday through Wednesday. Widespread precipitation will develop, starting as rain at lower elevations and transitioning to snow in the mountains. Snow levels near 4,000 feet will gradually lower into Wednesday night, dipping as low as 1,500–2500 feet by Thursday morning. While snowfall amounts will be moderate, heavier bursts are possible at times, especially in the higher reaches of the northern Cascades where the snow could stack up a bit more. SLRs during this initial phase will mostly sit in the 8–12:1 range, pointing to decent but not ultra-light powder.
A colder push late Wednesday into Thursday will usher in a sharper drop in snow levels. Intermittent snow showers are expected across the region, with some places seeing snow levels bottom out below 1,500 feet. Though totals aren’t exceptionally large, the cooler temperatures will improve snow density, with SLRs locally touching or exceeding 14:1 at times in parts of the Washington Cascades. Winds may be breezy in spots, which could affect exposed terrain. By Friday morning, many mountain areas will see another weak frontal boundary, bringing modest additional accumulations as snow levels briefly rise back up to around 2000–3000 feet.
Heavier snowfall arrives Friday night into Saturday, continuing into Sunday and Monday. The Oregon Cascades in particular appear primed for impressive totals from Friday through Saturday evening, with potential for 10–20 inches above roughly 3,500–4,000 feet. Another follow-up system Sunday into Monday should drop additional moderate to locally heavy snow, though snow levels might fluctuate slightly—mostly in the 2,000–3,500 foot range, allowing mid and upper elevations to stay all snow. Through this weekend and early next week, SLRs will often hover in the 9–14:1 range, meaning generally fair-quality powder, with a few periods pushing slightly lighter densities. Looking ahead, the extended outlook favors continued below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation for the West, keeping stormy conditions and the chance for further snowfall intact.
Resort Forecast Totals
- Mt Baker – 28″–49” Tue (03/11) – Tue (03/18)
- Timberline – 27″–46” Tue night (03/11) – Tue (03/18)
- Mt Bachelor – 23″–39” Tue night (03/11) – Tue (03/18)
- Crystal Mountain – 22″–38” Tue night (03/11) – Tue (03/18)
- Stevens Pass – 21″–38” Tue night (03/11) – Tue (03/18)
- Whistler – 21″–36” Tue (03/11) – Mon night (03/17)
- Snoqualmie Pass – 19″–35” Tue night (03/11) – Tue (03/18)
