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 & Sunday
Afternoon update: Minor changes.
A weak front will wash out along the coast today. The main impact of the front will be to nudge freezing levels down on Saturday and increase mid and high level cloudiness along the west slopes of the Washington Cascades and Olympics. A slight cooling trend during the day Saturday and a westerly breeze near ridgetops and the higher terrain of the Cascades will make it feel relatively cooler than the past several warm days. There is a slight chance of a shower in the northwest Cascades today.
The weak front will temporarily flatten the upper level ridge over the west coast, but the ridge will quickly rebound Saturday night. Freezing levels will nudge up Sunday morning. As a stronger Pacific frontal system approaches Sunday, and mid high clouds should increase in the afternoon mainly west of the Cascade crest.
The frontal system will bring light to moderate rain and snow Sunday night along with a cooling trend as the front passes through the Cascades in the early morning hours of Monday.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Saturday |
Partly to mostly sunny. Subtle cooling trend. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Partly cloudy. Mild. |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Becoming cloudy. Light rain and snow developing late afternoon or early evening. Mild. |
| Sunday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Cooling trend late Sunday night. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Saturday |
Partly to mostly sunny with periods of mid level clouds central and south Cascades. Partly sunny north Cascades with a chance of a light afternoon shower. Subtle cooling trend, light to moderate crest level winds. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Mostly clear. Mild. |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Increasing high clouds in the afternoon, becoming mostly cloudy. Mild. |
| Sunday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Cooling trend late Sunday night. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday |
Partly to mostly sunny. Continued mild. Light to moderate crest level winds. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Mostly clear. Mild. |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Increasing high clouds in the afternoon, becoming partly to mostly cloudy. Mild. |
| Sunday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing. Cooling trend late Sunday night. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday |
Partly to mostly sunny with periods of mid level clouds. Light to moderate alpine winds. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Mostly clear. Mild. |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Increasing high clouds in the afternoon, becoming mostly cloudy. Mild. |
| Sunday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Cooling trend late Sunday night. |
Issued: 1:43 PM PDT Saturday, April 2, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 8000' | 7500' | 8000' | ' | ' | 8000' | ' | 10000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday | Freezing Level | 7500' | 7500' | 8000' | ' | ' | 8500' | ' | 9000' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 5500' | 6000' | 6500' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 6000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 8000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Freezing Level 7500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 7500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Freezing Level 7500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 8000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Freezing Level 8000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Freezing Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Freezing Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 8000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Freezing Level 8500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Freezing Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 10000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Freezing Level 9000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
* 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
| Sunday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| 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 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 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: 1:43 PM PDT Saturday, April 2, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | WSW 0 - 10 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
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 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | WNW 15 - 25 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | S 25 - 35 | S 15 - 25 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
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: 1:43 PM PDT Saturday, April 2, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
The trailing cool upper level trough should swing through Monday morning, resulting in increased shower activity. A brief period of W-NW flow should enhance orographic precipitation along the west slopes Monday through Monday night with cool snow levels around 3500-4000 feet. A convergence zone may form Monday afternoon or evening for locally heavier snowfall near Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass.
On Tuesday, showers will decrease but a warm front will brush mainly the north Cascades and Olympics keeping light precipitation and clouds in the forecast. A strong upper level ridge will begin to build around 130 W off the California coast, nudging the warm front north and resulting in decreasing clouds for the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Tuesday.
By Wednesday the ridge will have moved inland bringing a return to warm and sunny weather that will extend through the end of the week.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
Light to moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest west slopes of the Cascades. Cooler. Gusty west winds.
Mostly cloudy with decreasing rain and snow showers west slopes of the Cascades, Olympics and Mt. Hood. Partly to mostly clear east slopes of the Cascades.
Mostly cloudy north Cascades and Olympics with periods of light rain and snow. Partly to mostly clear south Cascades. Warming trend.
Mostly sunny and warm.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 5000' - 6000' | 7000' - 8000' | |
| Wednesday | Freezing Level | 9500' - 10500' | 10000' - 11000' | 11000' - 12000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 9500' - 10500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 10000' - 11000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 11000' - 12000' |
* 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 2, 2016
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