Issued: 2:51 PM PDT Friday, April 26, 2024
by Robert Hahn

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis

Cool, wet and active springtime weather continues across the Pacific Northwest through the weekend. Rain and snow shower activity associated with a broad trough on Friday should gradually decrease Friday night as the trough shifts eastward. Snow levels drop around 5000-6000 ft. Without a real break in the action, a subtle shortwave trough arrives on Saturday. This should bring an increase in scattered mostly light showers along with increasing light to moderate WSW ridgeline winds. These winds will be out of the SSW in the Mt Baker area where they should be in the moderate range most of the day, leading to around 1/2"of water equivalent during the day while other areas while other areas generally get 1/4" or less. Snow levels hover around 4000-5000 ft.

The deep Aleutian low responsible for the aforementioned shortwave feature drops toward our region Saturday night and Sunday, bringing the jet stream back focused on our region. Expect continued light rain and snow shower activity for the west slopes of the Cascades and the immediate lee of the crest with a subtle increase for the north Cascades Sunday afternoon. Expect moderate ridgeline winds at times for the mountain gaps and east slopes of the Cascades in particularly. The east slopes should continue to expect plenty of sun breaks throughout the period. Snow levels lower to 3500-4500 ft Saturday night through Sunday, well below seasonal norms.

Weather Forecast

Olympics
West North
West Central
West South
Stevens Pass
Snoqualmie Pass
East North
East Central
East South
Mt. Hood
Use dropdown to select your zone
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers.
Saturday Increasing light rain and snow showers (become moderate in the southern and western portions of the range).
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers.
Saturday Moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers.
Saturday Increasing light rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers.
Saturday Increasing light rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Increasing light rain and snow showers. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Saturday Increasing light rain and snow showers. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Friday Night Partly to mostly cloudy skies with an isolated rain or snow shower possible.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain or snow showers developing by the afternoon.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain or high elevation snow showers decrasing or ending overnight.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with a light rain or snow showers increasing in the western part of the zone.
Friday Night Partly cloudy with isolated light rain or high elevation snow showers decrasing or ending overnight.
Saturday Mostly cloudy with a few light rain or snow showers near the Cascade Crest.
Friday Night Decreasing scattered rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds at times.
Saturday Increasing light ain and snow showers. Ridgeline winds increasing into the moderate range by the afternoon.

Issued: 2:51 PM PDT Friday, April 26, 2024

Precipitation (in)

Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.10 0.25 0.25 0.25
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Paradise LT 0.25 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
White Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Timberline LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday LT 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Friday Night 0
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Friday Night LT 0.25
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday LT 0.10

Issued: 2:51 PM PDT Friday, April 26, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Friday Evening Friday Night Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics 5000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 3000' 3500'
West North 5500' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500'
West Central 5500' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 3500' 4000'
West South 5500' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000'
Stevens Pass 5500' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 3500' 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass 5500' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 3500' 4000'
East North 6000' 5000' 5000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000'
East Central 6000' 5500' 5000' 5000' 5000' 4500' 4000' 4000'
East South 6000' 5500' 5000' 5000' 5000' 4500' 4000' 4500'
Mt. Hood 5500' 5000' 4500' 5000' 5000' 5000' 4000' 4500'
Olympics Elevation
Friday Evening 5000'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 4500'
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
West North Elevation
Friday Evening 5500'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 4500'
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
West Central Elevation
Friday Evening 5500'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 4500'
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
West South Elevation
Friday Evening 5500'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 4500'
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening 5500'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 4500'
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening 5500'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 4500'
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
East North Elevation
Friday Evening 6000'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 5000'
Saturday Afternoon 5000'
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
East Central Elevation
Friday Evening 6000'
Friday Night 5500'
Saturday Morning 5000'
Saturday Afternoon 5000'
Saturday Evening 5000'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
East South Elevation
Friday Evening 6000'
Friday Night 5500'
Saturday Morning 5000'
Saturday Afternoon 5000'
Saturday Evening 5000'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening 5500'
Friday Night 5000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 5000'
Saturday Evening 5000'
Saturday Night 5000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'

Issued: 2:51 PM PDT Friday, April 26, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Friday Night Saturday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 35 / 31 35 / 30
West North 36 / 32 35 / 32
West Central 36 / 32 35 / 32
West South 38 / 32 37 / 34
Stevens Pass 38 / 32 37 / 34
Snoqualmie Pass 37 / 32 35 / 33
East North 40 / 30 38 / 31
East Central 39 / 32 38 / 32
East South 40 / 33 39 / 34
Mt. Hood 37 / 32 37 / 33
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 35 / 31
Saturday 35 / 30
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 36 / 32
Saturday 35 / 32
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 36 / 32
Saturday 35 / 32
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 38 / 32
Saturday 37 / 34
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 38 / 32
Saturday 37 / 34
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 37 / 32
Saturday 35 / 33
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 40 / 30
Saturday 38 / 31
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 39 / 32
Saturday 38 / 32
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 40 / 33
Saturday 39 / 34
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Friday Night 37 / 32
Saturday 37 / 33

Issued: 2:51 PM PDT Friday, April 26, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Friday Evening Friday Night Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon
Olympics SSW 0-10 SW 5-15 SW 10-20 SW 10-20
West North SSW 5-15 SSW 5-15 SSW 10-20 SSW 15-25
West Central W 0-10 SW 0-10 SW 10-20 WSW 10-20
West South WNW 0-10 WSW 0-10 WSW 5-15 SW 10-20
Stevens Pass W 5-15 WSW 0-10 WSW 5-15 W 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass WNW 5-15 W 5-15 W 10-20 W 10-20
East North W 5-15 WSW 5-15 SW 5-15 WSW 10-20
East Central WNW 0-10 W 5-15 W 10-20 W 10-20
East South WNW 5-15 W 5-15 WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20
Mt. Hood WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20 WSW 15-25
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSW 0-10
Friday Night SW 5-15
Saturday Morning SW 10-20
Saturday Afternoon SW 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening SSW 5-15
Friday Night SSW 5-15
Saturday Morning SSW 10-20
Saturday Afternoon SSW 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening W 0-10
Friday Night SW 0-10
Saturday Morning SW 10-20
Saturday Afternoon WSW 10-20
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening WNW 0-10
Friday Night WSW 0-10
Saturday Morning WSW 5-15
Saturday Afternoon SW 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening W 5-15
Friday Night WSW 0-10
Saturday Morning WSW 5-15
Saturday Afternoon W 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening WNW 5-15
Friday Night W 5-15
Saturday Morning W 10-20
Saturday Afternoon W 10-20
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening W 5-15
Friday Night WSW 5-15
Saturday Morning SW 5-15
Saturday Afternoon WSW 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening WNW 0-10
Friday Night W 5-15
Saturday Morning W 10-20
Saturday Afternoon W 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening WNW 5-15
Friday Night W 5-15
Saturday Morning WSW 10-20
Saturday Afternoon WSW 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Friday Evening WSW 10-20
Friday Night WSW 10-20
Saturday Morning WSW 10-20
Saturday Afternoon WSW 15-25

Issued: 2:51 PM PDT Friday, April 26, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

The cold trough approaching through the weekend arrives Sunday with a frontal band bringing moderate rain and snow to the west slopes of the Cascades and light precitation further east. The trough moves onshore on Monday with decreasing shower activity, but the unseasonably cool, showery, and unsettled pattern continues through Tuesday. Expect snow levels in the 2500-3500 ft range throughout this period with a diurnal fluctuation in temperatures and snow levels.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
West North 3000' 2500' 2500' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday 2500'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night 3000'
Monday 3000'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night 3500'
Monday 3000'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday 3500'

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather

Previous forecast from Apr 25, 2024

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.

The 5000’ temperature forecast does not imply a trend over the 12 hr period and only represents the max and min temperatures within a 12 hr period in the zone. The 6-hr snow level forecast, the forecast discussion, and weather forecast sections may add detail regarding temperature trends.

The snow level forecast represents the general snow level over a 6 hr time period. Freezing levels are forecast when precipitation is not expected.

*Easterly or offshore flow is highlighted with an asterisk when we expect relatively cool east winds in the major Cascade Passes. Easterly flow will often lead to temperature inversions and is a key variable for forecasting precipitation type in the Cascade Passes. Strong easterly flow events can affect terrain on a more regional scale.

Ridgeline winds are the average wind speed and direction over a 6 hr time period.

The wind forecast represents an elevation range instead of a single elevation slice. The elevation range overlaps with the near and above treeline elevation bands in the avalanche forecast and differs per zone.

Wind direction indicates the direction the wind originates or comes from on the 16-point compass rose.

Water Equivalent (WE) is the liquid water equivalent of all precipitation types; rain, snow, ice pellets, etc., forecast to the hundredth of an inch at specific locations. To use WE as a proxy for snowfall amounts, start with a snow to water ratio of 10:1 (10 inches of snow = 1 inch WE). Temperatures at or near freezing will generally have a lower ratio (heavy wet snow) and very cold temperatures can have a much higher ratio (dry fluffy snow).

The label LT, is shorthand for ‘less than’.