Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Saturday & Monday
After another cold morning around the PNW with overnight lows in the teens and 20s at most NWAC stations, temperatures have been slow to rebound this afternoon. An upper low positioned off the central B.C. coast will be the central weather feature through early next week. A weak shortwave along the coast should mainly affect the Olympics with showers today as the N-S line of showers fail to advance inland.
For Mt. Hood and the Cascades, expect a mix of clouds and sun early then a chance for showers mainly in the afternoon and early evening. With cold air aloft and daytime warming... the air mass over the PNW will become unstable and a chance of afternoon or early evening thunderstorms can't be ruled out over the weekend.
The details are murky, but a shortwave rotating around the low on Sunday may push additional mid and high cloud cover over the area during the day from the south and then focus shower activity on Mt. Hood and the south Washington Cascades in the afternoon and Sunday night as it shifts inland.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Partly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers. Increasing high clouds Sunday morning. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
Washington Cascades
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Partly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. Increasing high clouds Sunday morning. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy north part with scattered light rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers south Washington Cascades. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Partly sunny with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers. Increasing high clouds Sunday morning. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
Issued: 1:52 PM PDT Saturday, April 4, 2015
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 3500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 2500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 2500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
* 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
| Monday | Monday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
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: 1:52 PM PDT Saturday, April 4, 2015
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | --- - | W 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 | --- - | E 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | --- - | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | VAR 0 - 10 | WSW 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | --- - | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | SE 0 - 10 | SE 0 - 10 | SE 10 - 20 | --- - | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday - Sunday Night | SE 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 | SE 5 - 15 | --- - | S 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Sunday - Sunday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Sunday - Sunday Night | E 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | SE 10 - 20 |
| Sunday - Sunday Night | SE 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday - Sunday Night | S 5 - 15 |
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: 1:52 PM PDT Saturday, April 4, 2015
Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday
The upper low should have slipped as far south as the CA/OR coastal waters by Monday afternoon leading to afternoon/evening showers. Again, there is low confidence in the details, but upper level deformation may enhance showers over the north/central Cascades Monday afternoon.
The low should begin to shift inland into California on Tuesday... and a final shortwave may rotate up and over, increasing shower coverage over the southern half of the forecast area. An improving trend should begin Wednesday as upper level ridging builds from 130 W into British Columbia, but there will still be a chance of light showers in the afternoon. A slow warming trend should take place through midweek.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers.
Partly sunny with a chance of afternoon light rain and snow showers.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | |
| Tuesday - Wednesday | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
* 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 4, 2015
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.