Tacoma and Seattle, Washington, are within an easy two-hour drive of the northern forest boundary. Climate Wet, mild maritime weather dominates most of the national forest during most of the year. Like other areas on the western slopes of the Cascades, the forest receives heavy rainfall and snowfall in the fall, winter, and spring and experiences a brief drought each summer. Snowfall is heavy above 3,000 feet, and snow lies late into the summer at higher elevations. Most forest roads are closed by snow from November through April.
Avalanches are common on the high, steep slopes of the Volcanos during the fall, winter, and spring.
The eastern portions of the national forest, especially to the south of Mount Adams, experience some weather similar to the dry, warm conditions of eastern Washington. Click here to order this book and other FalconGuides online . All rights reserved. Inc. All Rights Reserved.