Trip Planning Resources 

Weather Forecasting for Mountaineering

Weather in the Cascades and Olympics is highly variable and terrain-dependent, so relying on a single forecast can lead to bad surprises in the field. Here's a set of trusted tools and some general guidance on how to layer forecast data effectively. Always check multiple models and combine different tools for the best picture.

Primary Forecast Tools

• NOAA Point Forecasts
  The National Weather Service’s 7-day forecast for any point you click on the map. These are zone-based forecasts that include detailed text descriptions—great for spotting temperature trends, freezing levels, and wind speed.

• Mount Rainier Recreational Forecast
  A specialized NWS product with detailed summit and base forecasts, updated twice daily. Ideal for glaciated peaks or high camps.

• Mountain-Forecast.com
  Provides elevation-specific weather forecasts for popular peaks, typically at three altitudes (base, mid, summit). Includes wind speed, freezing level, and precipitation in 3-hour increments.

• Weather.gov Text Products
  These are Area Forecast Discussions (AFDs) written by meteorologists. Use them to understand confidence levels, shifting models, and major weather systems before they show up in standard forecasts.

• Meteoblue
  Combines multiple models into meteograms—nice for seeing model agreement/disagreement. Good for freezing level shifts and wind direction changes.

Air Quality

• AirNow.gov
  Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) for smoke, pollution, and fire season planning.

Avalanche Forecasts

• NWAC – Northwest Avalanche Center
  Avalanche forecasts, snowpack summaries, mountain weather telemetry, and educational tools for the PNW.

Visual Model-Based Tools

These let you compare data from multiple weather models:

SpotWX

• Input your exact GPS coordinates for forecasts.
  
  

Windy.com

• Use layers for wind, clouds, temperature, freezing level, precipitation, etc.
  
  

• Model options include:
  
  

  • ECMWF – Very reliable global model, strong with broad systems.
    
    

  • NAM – Good for terrain-influenced precipitation and wind.
    
    

  • HRRR – Best for next 24–48 hours and short-term storm timing.
    
    

Ventusky

• Offers excellent visualization of storm patterns, wind changes, and temperature shifts.
  
  

When to Use What Model