Mountain Weather Forecast

Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Friday

Look for rain and snow showers to taper off Monday night as a weak high-pressure ridge shifts into the area. Northwesterly winds and plenty of moisture near the ground may continue to ring out a few isolated showers in the foothills and near the volcanoes. However, in general, things should quiet down overnight ahead of our next approaching weather system. 

Tuesday is all about location and timing. A well-developed storm system will approach the region during the day spreading warmer air and strong winds across the mountains. Look for snow levels and winds to peak in the afternoon ahead of the bulk of the precipitation. Trailheads in the Olympics and near Mt Baker should see rain and snow begin earlier in the day, while most other sites remain dry. The weather models differ slightly in timing, and unfortunately, the timing discrepancy falls right over the precipitation forecast intervals. If the storm moves quicker, locations like the Passes and Rainier could see significant rain and snow before sunset. If it moves slower, these same locations could stay dry all day. Either way. precipitation eventually extends across the forecast area and spills over to sites further east. As it does, an associated cold front will bring the snow levels quickly back down to below most trailhead locations. Expect light to moderate rain and snow in most areas Tuesday night. 

The low-pressure system driving all this activity moves across Washington Wednesday keeping areas west of and near the Cascade crest wet. Showers will eventually taper off from north to south in the afternoon and early evening. By late in the day the through exits and a high-pressure ridge enters setting us up for quieter weather as we move into the extended forecast.