Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Thursday
An upper shortwave will move northwest to southeast over the Northwest on Thursday with a W-NW 150 knot jet directed to western Oregon. Minor instability to about 10,000 feet and minor convergence zone effects to the central Washington Cascades should be seen the remainder of Thursday afternoon. But some more snow will be seen at Mt Hood on Thursday afternoon where there is more flow aloft and more moisture.
An upper ridge and a drier air mass will shift east over the US coastal waters to the west US on Friday. Surface high pressure will shift to over the Northwest. Northwest flow aloft will decrease with fair weather by Friday afternoon and a modest rise in freezing levels.
Weather Forecast
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Thursday Afternoon |
Light snow showers. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Light snow showers ending. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Partly or mostly sunny. |
| Friday Night |
Partly or mostly clear. |
Olympics
| Thursday Afternoon |
Partly cloudy. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Clearing. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Mostly sunny. |
| Friday Night |
Partly or mostly clear in the evening. Increasing high clouds after midnight. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Thursday Afternoon |
Light snow showers higher elevations. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Light snow showers higher elevations ending. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Mostly sunny. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly clear. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Thursday Afternoon |
Light to moderate snow showers heaviest west side. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Light snow showers mainly west side ending. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Partly sunny west side and mostly sunny east side. |
| Friday Night |
Partly or mostly clear. |
Issued: 2:08 PM PDT Thursday, April 27, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | Snow Level | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 5500' |
| Friday Night | Freezing Level | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Thursday | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
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: 2:08 PM PDT Thursday, April 27, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 20 - 30 | WNW 10 - 20 | WNW 15 - 25 | --- - | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 | WNW 5 - 15 | WNW 10 - 20 | --- - | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 | WNW 5 - 15 | WNW 5 - 15 | --- - | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | --- - | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 | WNW 10 - 20 | WNW 25 - 35 | --- - | WNW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 | WNW 15 - 25 | WNW 15 - 25 | --- - | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 | WNW 5 - 15 | WNW 15 - 25 | --- - | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | W 15 - 25 | W 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | W 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: 2:08 PM PDT Thursday, April 27, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
A weakening front will move over the ridge and over the Northwest Saturday night. Despite moving over a ridge the Thursday morning UW WRF run shows just as much precipitation in the south Cascades as the north Cascades.
Another weaker front should move over the ridge and over the Northwest on Monday. This system should affect the Olympics and north to central Cascades more than the south Cascades.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades, Mt Hood
Increasing mid and high clouds initially in the Olympics and north Cascades.
Light to moderate rain or snow Saturday night mainly Olympics, west slopes of the Washington Cascades ant Mt Hood. Light rain or snow showers Sunday mainly Olympics, west slopes of the Washington Cascades ant Mt Hood.
Light rain or snow mainly Olympics and west slopes of the Washington Cascades changing to light showers.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 5500' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Sunday - Monday | Snow Level | 3000' - 5000' | 3500' - 5500' | 4000' - 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Sunday - Monday |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Sunday - Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 5500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Sunday - Monday |
Snow Level 4000' - 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.
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 21, 2017
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.
NWAC Spring Forecast Schedule
The NWAC issued daily mountain weather and avalanche forecasts through Saturday, April 15th. Mountain weather and avalanche forecasts will be issued during the spring transition April 20-22nd and April 27-29th. Weekend outlooks will be issued Thursdays, May 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.