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 & Saturday
A cool upper trough will drop SE from the Gulf of Alaska on Saturday, while out ahead of it, a frontal wave is currently moving NE along a stalled frontal boundary with copious moisture heading for the Washington Cascades and Olympics as of mid-afternoon on Saturday. Rain and snow previously focused on a more narrow band over the central Cascades is expected to fill in throughout the Washington Cascades, with significant precipitation spilling over to the east slopes of the Cascades. Mild temperatures will keep snow levels above pass level and temperatures are particularly warm along the east slopes of the Cascades associated with subsidence warm. Mazama reached 61F on Saturday afternoon.
The front will push south and east late Saturday night, shifting the precipitation south to the Mt. Hood area, but it will not bring much more than diurnal cooling.
As the upper trough moves into our offshore waters on Sunday, a new surface feature will slide north, extending light to moderate rain and snow showers throughout the Cascades. Expect some convection with cool air aloft as the upper level trough continues moving into the region.
Sunday night the upper low moves near the Washington/Oregon coastline, bringing cooling. The northward exit of the surface feature, will allow moderate Westerly flow to develop over our region.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Saturday | Light rain or snow. |
| Saturday Night | Light rain or snow during the evening with mostly high clouds after midnight. |
| Sunday | Filtered sunlight with cumulus clouds building during the afternoon and a chance of a rain or snow shower. |
| Sunday Night | A chance of light rain or snow showers. Cooler. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Saturday | Increasing moderate to heavy rain and snow spreading throughout the Cascades. |
| Saturday Night | Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow during the evening hours. Becoming light rain and snow showers after midnight. |
| Sunday | Mostly cloudy with high clouds above with light rain and snow spreading from south to north during the afternoon. Heaviest precipitation in the south. Expect some convective precipitation with locally heavy amounts in the afternoon. |
| Sunday Night | Light rain and snow showers with locally heavier amounts. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday | Decreasing light to moderate rain and snow central and south Cascades in the morning, with mostly light rain or snow north. Increasing moderate rain and snow spreading throughout the Cascades in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night | Moderate rain and snow during the evening hours. Becoming light rain and snow showers mainly near the Cascade crest after midnight. |
| Sunday | Mostly cloudy with high clouds above with light rain and snow spreading from south to north during the afternoon. Heaviest precipitation in the south. Expect some convective precipitation with locally heavy amounts in the afternoon. |
| Sunday Night | Light rain and snow showers with locally heavier amounts. |
Mt. Hood
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with a chance of a light rain or snow shower, particularly late in the day. |
| Saturday Night | Light rain and snow. |
| Sunday | Light to moderate rain and snow developing. Convection likely during the afternoon. |
| Sunday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
Issued: 4:02 PM PDT Saturday, April 14, 2018
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 | 3500' | 4000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 5500' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4500' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 3500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 5000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 4000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 4500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 2500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
* 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 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.70 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | 0.75 - 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: 4:02 PM PDT Saturday, April 14, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 | S 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 0 - 10 | S 0 - 10 | W 5 - 15 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | E 5 - 15 | E 5 - 15 | E 5 - 15 | --- - | S 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 | N 5 - 15 | VAR 0 - 10 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 |
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 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 45 - 65 | --- - | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | SE 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | ESE 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 | SE 15 - 25 | SSE 20 - 30 | --- - | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 | WNW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Saturday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Morning | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 30 - 40 |
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: 4:02 PM PDT Saturday, April 14, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
The upper-level low crosses the Cascades on Monday morning with cool air continuing to spread into the region and a moist westerly flow bringing light to moderate precipitation, particularly to the west slopes of the Cascades at relatively low snow levels on Monday. Monday night, the moist flow with moderate precipitation on the Cascade west slopes continues with snow levels in the Cascades below pass level.
Tuesday stays cool. Weak ridging develops and makes the precipitation more scattered, with some convergence likely. Precipitation generally shuts off and with clearing skies, mountain temperatures will be quite cool.
On Wednesday, easterly flow develops over our region as a Pacific System drops south toward California.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 3500' - 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.
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 14, 2018
April 14th marks the last regularly scheduled mountain weather forecast issuance for the 2017-2018 season.
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.