Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday & Saturday
Upper level ridging has rebuilt over eastern Washington this morning and will lead to another warm day in the PNW mountains. Variable mid and high clouds ahead of an approaching frontal system will stream over the area today. The cloud deck will solidify and begin to lower overnight with light rain and snow developing for the Cascades in the late evening.
The front should pass through the Cascades in the early morning hours of Monday, but it's not until the negatively tilted upper trough swings through mid-morning that snow levels will lower to around 3500 feet. Cool westerly flow post-frontal will lead to orographic showers that favor the west slopes of the Olympics and Cascades on Monday. The air mass will be unstable and isolated thunderstorms can't be ruled out Monday.
A Puget Sound convergence zone is likely to form late Monday afternoon and evening, with locally higher snow totals possible near Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes. Outside of the convergence zone, showers should generally diminish Monday night.
Weather Forecast
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Sunday |
Partly to mostly sunny with periods of mid and high clouds. Mild. |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the late evening and becoming light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Sharp cooling trend late Sunday night. |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Gusty west winds. Locally heavier accumulations possible near a Puget Sound Convergence zone Monday afternoon and night. Cooler. |
| Monday Night |
Mostly cloudy with decreasing light rain and snow showers. |
Olympics
| Sunday |
Partly sunny with periods of mid and high clouds, becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Mild. |
| Sunday Night |
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the evening and becoming light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers overnight. Sharp cooling trend late Sunday night. |
| Monday |
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Gusty west winds. Cooler. |
| Monday Night |
Mostly cloudy with decreasing light rain and snow showers. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Sunday |
Mostly sunny with periods of mid and high clouds. Mild. |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the late evening and becoming light rain and snow showers. Sharp cooling trend Monday morning. |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers except occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest. Gusty west winds. |
| Monday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy with decreasing light rain and snow showers. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Sunday |
Partly to mostly sunny with periods of mid and high clouds. Mild. |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the late evening and becoming light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Sharp cooling trend late Sunday night. |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Gusty west winds. Cooler. |
| Monday Night |
Mostly cloudy with decreasing light rain and snow showers. |
Issued: 7:58 AM PDT Sunday, April 3, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Freezing Level | 8000' | 8500' | 8500' | ' | ' | 9000' | ' | 9500' |
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 6500' |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | Snow Level | 4500' | 5500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 4500' |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 8000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 8500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 8500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Freezing Level ' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Freezing Level ' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 9000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Freezing Level ' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 9500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Mid-day - Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
* 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
| Saturday | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.75 - 1.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
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: 7:58 AM PDT Sunday, April 3, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | S 0 - 10 | S 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Monday | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Monday | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Monday | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Monday | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WNW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 10 - 20 | SSW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | S 25 - 35 | S 15 - 25 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Monday | W 30 - 40 | W 35 - 50 | W 35 - 50 | --- - | W 35 - 45 |
| Monday Night | NW 15 - 30 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 35 - 45 | --- - | NW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Monday | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night | NW 15 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Monday | W 35 - 50 |
| Monday Night | NW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday | W 35 - 50 |
| Monday Night | NW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Monday | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Monday | W 35 - 45 |
| Monday Night | NW 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.
Issued: 7:58 AM PDT Sunday, April 3, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
A warm front off Vancouver Island will brush mainly the north and central Washington Cascades and the Olympics on Tuesday with some light rain and snow as a strong upper ridge building around 130 W deflects the bulk of precipitation into central and northern British Columbia. A slow warming trend will ensue on Tuesday, with skies potentially clearing in the afternoon for Mt. Hood and the south Washington Cascades as the front is pushed north. NW winds coming over the top of the ridge will keep alpine winds moderate despite the drying trend Tuesday.
After the short reminder of winter early in the week, warm weather with sunshine and high freezing levels return Wednesday and Thursday.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood
Mostly clear and warm.
Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow Olympics, north and central Cascades. Mostly cloudy becoming partly sunny in the afternoon Mt. Hood and south Washington Cascades. Slow warming trend. Moderate crest level NW winds.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 5500' - 6500' | 6500' - 7500' | |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday | Freezing Level | 11000' - 12000' | 11000' - 12000' | 11500' - 12500' | |
| Thursday | Freezing Level | 12000' - 13000' | 12000' - 13000' | 12000' - 13000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 11000' - 12000' |
| Thursday |
Freezing Level 12000' - 13000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 11000' - 12000' |
| Thursday |
Freezing Level 12000' - 13000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 11500' - 12500' |
| Thursday |
Freezing Level 12000' - 13000' |
* 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
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.