Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Wednesday
Today will be a relative break in our active and wet pattern as the bulk of the moisture from an atmospheric river is directed into Calfornia. Scattered showers this morning will diminish in the afternoon. Weak upper level ridging building over the area today will help trap moisture and clouds below Cascade Crest level, but a few sunbreaks are likely today.
A developing low pressure system offshore, impressive by April standards, will curl north toward Vancouver Island late tonight. The associated front will pass through the region from south to north late tonight through Saturday morning. Precipitation will begin with high snow levels, and slowly lower through the day on Saturday. The flow aloft will become more southerly, and heavier precipitation will favor the Olympics and volcanic peaks, but will also spread moderate precipitation totals over to the east slopes of the Cascades.
A relative lull in the heavier precipitation should occur Saturday afternoon for the Washington Cascades, but heavier and more widespread shower activity will return Saturday night as the low pressure system sends secondary shortwave troughs inland. Snow levels will fall further Saturday night to around 4000 feet across the region. S-SW winds will be strongest for the Olympics and from Snoqualmie Pass area and south to Mt. Hood through the short term period.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Friday | Partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance of a rain shower. Mild. |
| Friday Night | Becoming cloudy. Light rain developing after midnight. Mild. |
| Saturday | Stormy with light to moderate rain and snow. Slow cooling trend. Very windy. |
| Saturday Night | Moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. Windy. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain showers this afternoon. Afternoon sunbreaks. Mild. |
| Friday Night | Cloudy. Rain developing south Washington Cascades late Friday night and spreading northward. Mild. |
| Saturday | Stormy in the morning with moderate to locally heavy rain and snow, becoming light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers from late morning through the afternoon. Heaviest afternoon showers near volcanic peaks, lighter Passes. Slow cooling trend. Becoming windy, especially south Washington Cascades. |
| Saturday Night | Renewed moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. Windy south Washington Cascades. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Friday | Cloudy with a chance of light rain showers this afternoon. Mild. |
| Friday Night | Cloudy. Rain developing south Washington Cascades late Friday night and spreading northward. Mild. |
| Saturday | Stormy in the morning with moderate to locally heavy rain and snow, becoming scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers from late morning through the afternoon. Slow cooling trend. Becoming windy, especially south Washington Cascades. |
| Saturday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. Windy south Washington Cascades. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday | Cloudy with a chance of light rain showers this afternoon. Mild. |
| Friday Night | Cloudy. Ligh to moderate rain developing after midnight. Mild. |
| Saturday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow becoming showers late morning. Slow cooling trend. Very windy. |
| Saturday Night | Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. Very windy. |
Issued: 2:59 PM PDT Friday, April 6, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 6500' | 6500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 7000' | ' | 8000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 9000' | 7000' | 6500' | ' | ' | 8000' | ' | 10000' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 6500' | 6000' | 6000' | ' | ' | 7000' | ' | 7000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 5500' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 9000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 10000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.
Precipitation Forecast
| Wednesday | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 2.00 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Paradise | LT 0.25 | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 0.75 | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Timberline | 0 - 0.75 | 2.00 - 2.50 |
LT = less than; WE or Water equivalent is the liquid water equivalent of melted snow in hundredths of inches. As a rough approximation 1 inch of snow = about .10 inches WE, or 10 inches of snow = about 1 inch WE.
Issued: 2:59 PM PDT Friday, April 6, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SE 0 - 10 | S 5 - 15 | SE 5 - 15 | --- - | SE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | SE 15 - 25 | E 10 - 20 | E 15 - 25 | --- - | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 25 - 45 | SE 15 - 25 | S 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 25 - 45 | SSE 25 - 35 | SSW 20 - 35 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 15 - 25 | SE 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SE 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 25 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 25 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | E 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SE 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 25 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 25 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | E 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | S 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | SSW 20 - 30 | --- - | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | S 35 - 45 | S 25 - 35 | SSW 40 - 50 | --- - | SW 60 - 75 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 | SW 20 - 30 | SSW 45 - 55 | --- - | SW 60 - 75 |
| Saturday Night | S 20 - 30 | S 15 - 25 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 60 - 75 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | S 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | S 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | SSW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 45 - 55 |
| Saturday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 60 - 75 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 60 - 75 |
| Saturday Night | SW 60 - 75 |
Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.
Issued: 2:59 PM PDT Friday, April 6, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
The weakening low pressure system afflicting the Pacific Northwest will finally vacate it's nearly stationary position off of Vancouver Island and pass inland on Sunday, but not before directing more showers into the region. Showers and winds will be heaviest/strongest south of the low from Snoqualmie Pass down to Mt. Hood through mid-day with the low crossing the Cascades in the afternoon. The flow on Sunday will become more W-SW. Snow levels which dipped down to around 4000 ft Saturday night through Sunday morning should rise 500-1000 ft in the afternoon. Showers will become scattered late in the afternoon and evening as strong upper level ridging quickly builds over our coastal waters.
Showers should come to an end Sunday night as the upper level ridge axis slides over the area. The ridge will continue to build on Monday with sunny skies expected over the Mt. Hood area and south Washington Cascades and a slower and partial clearing trend expected over the north Cascades. For areas from Snoqualmie Pass and south to Mt. Hood, freezing levels will soar to 8000-10000 ft.
A more humdrum typical Pacific frontal system will spread clouds inland Monday night, with light rain and snow developing on Tuesday. Snow levels should fall to 5000-6000 ft by Tuesday afternoon.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Monday | Freezing Level | 6000' - 7000' | 7500' - 8500' | 9500' - 10500' | |
| Monday Night | Freezing Level | 8000' - 9000' | 9500' - 10500' | 9500' - 10500' | |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 5000' - 6000' | 5000' - 6000' | 5500' - 6500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 8000' - 9000' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 7500' - 8500' |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 9500' - 10500' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 9500' - 10500' |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 9500' - 10500' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Apr 6, 2018
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