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 & Friday
Afternoon update: Changes to precipitation forecast Day 1 and 2.
An upper level low pressure system off the California and Oregon coast will rotate upper level shortwaves up and through the area today, which will translate into bands of showers across the area. The most organized bands will be along the coast and affect the Olympics this morning. Shower activity over the Cascades will fill in this afternoon with the air mass overhead becoming unstable. Showers that fire up over the east slopes should drift N-NW. Isolated thunderstorm activity can't be ruled out along the east slopes and may drift over the Cascade crest. Snow levels will begin high this morning and slowly lower through the day as the upper low drift closer.
Shower activity should wane late tonight and into tomorrow morning. There should be more cloud cover along the Olympics and west slopes Saturday morning with weak onshore flow. Some light showers are possible during the day, but a more organized frontal band will approach the coast Saturday afternoon and move inland Saturday night. Cloud cover should increase Saturday afternoon through Saturday night. Snow levels will lower more dramatically behind the front Saturday night.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Slight cooling trend. |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers. Slight cooling trend. |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Increasing clouds mid-day. Scattered rain and snow showers becoming widespread in the evening. Further cooling overnight. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Isolated thunderstorms possible near the crest in the afternoon. Slight cooling trend. |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers. Slight cooling trend. |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Increasing clouds in the afternoon. Scattered rain and snow showers in the afternoon becoming widespread overnight. Further cooling overnight. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Cloudy near the crest with light rain and snow showers and partly cloudy further east. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers. Slight cooling trend. |
| Saturday |
Partly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
| Saturday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Cooling trend. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Isolated thunderstorms possible in the afternoon. Slight cooling trend. |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers. Slight cooling trend. |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Increasing clouds in the afternoon. Scattered rain and snow showers in the afternoon becoming widespread light to moderate rain and snow showers overnight. Further cooling overnight. |
Issued: 2:19 PM PDT Friday, April 22, 2016
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 | 7000' | 7500' | 8000' | ' | ' | 7000' | ' | 6500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 6000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| 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
| Friday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 1.00 |
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: 2:19 PM PDT Friday, April 22, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | W 10 - 20 |
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 | SE 5 - 15 | SSE 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | W 5 - 15 | WNW 5 - 15 | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | NW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | W 15 - 25 | --- - | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 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.
Issued: 2:19 PM PDT Friday, April 22, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
Another cold upper level low will approach the Washington Coast on Sunday. Mostly cloudy skies with cool snow levels and showers should sum up Sunday with more sunshine potential east of the crest. The low will open up and shift over the Intermountain West with a open trough over the PNW Monday continuing the cool conditions, with cloudier skies once again along the west slopes and Olympics. Marginal improvement is possible Tuesday but another frontal system is approaching the coast by Tuesday afternoon, likely limiting the clearing and warming trend.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers Olympics, west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood. Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon with isolated rain and snow showers east slopes of the Cascades. Cooler.
Partly cloudy. Becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon Olympics. Slight chance of an afternoon shower everywhere.
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday - Monday | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 5500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
* 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 22, 2016
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