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 & Friday
Afternoon update: Minor adjustments to Day 1 and Day 2 precipitation forecasts. The mountain weather forecast will only be updated Sunday morning if the forecast changes significantly, otherwise have a good Spring!
Onshore flow should keep mostly cloudy conditions for the west slopes of the Cascades, Olympics and Mt. Hood today up to near the crest with decreasing clouds along the east slopes. The cloud tops currently are around 6000-7000 feet this morning but should slowly lift and generally obscure most of the alpine terrain west of the Cascade crest today. A few lingering showers are possible on the west slopes today but no significant precipitation is expected during the daylight hours. High clouds from the approaching frontal system will spread inland late this afternoon and evening with light rain and snow developing first over the Olympic mountains.
Following the frontal passage overnight, snow levels will lower rather uniformly to around 4000 feet by early Sunday morning with a few inches of snow accumulating for west slopes of the Olympics, Mt. Hood and the west slopes of the Cascades.
A cold upper level low will drift near the Washington coast Sunday keeping an unstable air mass over the area and showers throughout the day. Moderate new snow accumulations above 4500-5000 feet are possible from the Mountain Loop Hwy to the Mt. Baker area where weak convergence may help focus additional shower activity Sunday.
The low will weaken as it heads inland Sunday night and shower activity should diminish overnight with the loss of daytime heating.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the afternoon. Cooling trend overnight. |
| Sunday |
Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Cool. |
| Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers ending overnight. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Saturday |
Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers. Increasing high clouds in the late afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing and becoming light to moderate overnight. Cooling trend late. |
| Sunday |
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Heaviest accumulations likely between the Mountain Loop Highway and Mt. Baker area. Cool. |
| Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers ending overnight. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday |
Mostly cloudy near the crest with a chance of light rain and snow showers, mostly sunny further east. Increasing high clouds in the late afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing. Cooling trend late. |
| Sunday |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Cool. |
| Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers ending overnight and becoming partly cloudy. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday |
Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers. Increasing high clouds in the late afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing. Cooling trend late. W-SW winds increasing. |
| Sunday |
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Cool. Westerly winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
| Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers ending overnight. |
Issued: 1:43 PM PDT Saturday, April 23, 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 | Snow Level | 5500' | 6000' | 6500' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 6000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 5000' |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 3500' | 4000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4000' |
| Sunday Night | Freezing Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
* 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 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.75 - 1.00 | 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 23, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 | NW 0 - 10 | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | NW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| 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 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 | NW 0 - 10 | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | NW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | NW 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.
Issued: 1:43 PM PDT Saturday, April 23, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
Monday should be a cloudy and cool day along the west slopes with some very light showers possible in the afternoon due to weak upper level troughing overhead and moderate onshore flow. The east slopes should see a fair amount of sunshine away from the crest.
Tuesday should be a similar forecast to Monday with a slight upward nudge in freezing levels. A weak approaching Pacific frontal system will spread increasing clouds in the afternoon for the Olympics and west slopes.
The front should peter out offshore Tuesday night as it splits and the main energry focuses into California, but weak upper level troughing on Wednesday will encourage more mountain shower activity in the afternoon.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood
Cool. Cloudy west slopes of the Cascades, Olympics and Mt. Hood with the slight chance of an afternoon shower. Partly to mostly sunny east slopes.
Partly to mostly cloudy west slopes of the Cascades, Olympics and Mt. Hood. Chance of afternoon showers mainly Olympics. Partly to mostly sunny east slopes.
Partly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon with scattered light rain and snow showers.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Freezing Level | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 5500' | |
| Monday Night | Freezing Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Tuesday | Freezing Level | 5000' - 6000' | 5500' - 6500' | 5500' - 6500' | |
| Tuesday Night | Freezing Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 5500' - 6500' | 5500' - 6500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Tuesday |
Freezing Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Tuesday |
Freezing Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Tuesday |
Freezing Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
* 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 23, 2016
The NWAC issued daily mountain weather and avalanche forecasts through Saturday, April 9th. Mountain weather and avalanche forecasts will be issued during the spring transition April 14-16th and April 21-23rd. Weekend outlooks will be issued Thursdays, April 28th and May 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th. Special advisories, watches and warnings will be issued throughout the spring for unusual or dangerous avalanche conditions.
You can find out what constitutes a special advisory, watch or warning here.
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.