Issued: 2:21 PM PDT Monday, April 22, 2019
by Dennis D'Amico

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Thursday

A Pacific frontal system moving over western Washington this afternoon will sag south and weaken overnight. Light rain and high snow levels tonight will transition to light showers on Tuesday. Strong westerly flow both aloft and at the surface (onshore flow) will keep clouds banked up for west slopes of the Cascades from Mt. Baker down to Snoqualmie Pass. Partial clearing is likely for the Washington Pass area, south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Tuesday afternoon. Leftover showers should taper down quickly Tuesday night with mostly sunny conditions forecast on Wednesday. 

With the jet stream aimed into southern B.C./Washington State over the next few days, a significant temperature gradient will exist over the region N-S with much warmer freezing levels forecast for the south Washington Cascades and especially Mt. Hood. Alpine westerly winds will also remain strong over this period and flow pattern.  

 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Monday Night Cloudy with light rain.
Mt. Baker
Monday Night Cloudy with light rain.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Monday Night Cloudy with periods of light rain.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Monday Night Cloudy with light rain. Windy.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Monday Night Mostly cloudy. Becoming cloudy late in the evening with light rain developing.
Mt. Hood
Monday Night Mostly cloudy. Becoming cloudy after midnight with light rain developing.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Monday Evening Snow Level 7500' 7000' 7000' 8000' 8000' 8000' 9000' 10000'
Monday Night Snow Level 6500' 6500' 6500' 7000' 7000' 7000' 7000' 9000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level 5500' 6000' 6000' 6500' 6000' 6000' 7000' 8500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level 5500' 5500' 6000' 6500' 6000' 6000' 6500' 8000'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level 4500' 5000' 5500' 5500' 5500' 5500' 6000' 7500'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level 4500' 4000' 4000' 5000' 4000' 4000' 6000' 9500'
Wednesday Morning Freezing Level 4500' 4500' 4500' 6000' 4500' 4500' 6000' 9500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
7500'
Monday Night Snow Level
6500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
4500'
Wednesday Morning Freezing Level
4500'
Wednesday Afternoon Freezing Level
6000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
7000'
Monday Night Snow Level
6500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
4000'
Wednesday Morning Freezing Level
4500'
Wednesday Afternoon Freezing Level
6000'
Washington Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
7000'
Monday Night Snow Level
6500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
4000'
Wednesday Morning Freezing Level
4500'
Wednesday Afternoon Freezing Level
7000'
Leavenworth Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
8000'
Monday Night Snow Level
7000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
6500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
5000'
Wednesday Morning Freezing Level
6000'
Wednesday Afternoon Freezing Level
7500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
8000'
Monday Night Snow Level
7000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
4000'
Wednesday Morning Freezing Level
4500'
Wednesday Afternoon Freezing Level
7500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
8000'
Monday Night Snow Level
7000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
4000'
Wednesday Morning Freezing Level
4500'
Wednesday Afternoon Freezing Level
7000'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
9000'
Monday Night Snow Level
7000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
7000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
6000'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
6000'
Wednesday Morning Freezing Level
6000'
Wednesday Afternoon Freezing Level
8000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
10000'
Monday Night Snow Level
9000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
8500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
8000'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
7500'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
9500'
Wednesday Morning Freezing Level
9500'
Wednesday Afternoon Freezing Level
9500'

* 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

Monday Night Thursday Thursday Night Thursday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.10 0 0 0
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Washington Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 0
Leavenworth LT 0.10 0 0 0
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 0
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 0
Paradise 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
White Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Thursday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night 0
Thursday 0
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Thursday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0
Thursday 0
Thursday Night 0
Thursday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night 0
Thursday 0
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Monday Evening SW 10 - 20 SW 10 - 20 WSW 15 - 30 SW 10 - 20 SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 5 - 15 SW 5 - 15 WSW 15 - 30 SW 10 - 20 SW 15 - 25
Tuesday Morning SW 0 - 10 SW 5 - 15 SW 10 - 20 SW 10 - 20 SW 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Evening SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning SW 0 - 10
Tuesday Afternoon SW 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Evening SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning SW 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening WSW 15 - 30
Monday Night WSW 15 - 30
Tuesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Monday Evening SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 15 - 25
Tuesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning SW 0 - 10
Tuesday Afternoon SW 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning SW 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 15 - 30
Monday Night WSW 15 - 30
Tuesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 15 - 25
Tuesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 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
Monday Evening SW 25 - 35 WSW 25 - 35 WSW 35 - 45 WSW 30 - 40 W 25 - 35
Monday Night SW 20 - 30 WSW 25 - 35 WSW 40 - 50 W 40 - 50 W 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning SW 15 - 25 WSW 25 - 35 WSW 40 - 50 W 40 - 50 W 30 - 40
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 25 - 35
Monday Night SW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning SW 15 - 25
Tuesday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 25 - 35
Monday Night WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 35 - 45
Monday Night WSW 40 - 50
Tuesday Morning WSW 40 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 35 - 45
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 30 - 40
Monday Night W 40 - 50
Tuesday Morning W 40 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Evening W 25 - 35
Monday Night W 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning W 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon W 30 - 40

Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday

High clouds may start to show up on Thursday ahead of an approaching upper level trough, otherwise dry and mild conditions are expected. A sharp trough approaching in NW flow aloft will pass through the area early Friday morning bringing much cooler air, low snow levels and showers to the Olympics and Washington Cascades. Mt. Hood will cool as well but may see little precipitation on Friday. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Wednesday Night Freezing Level 6000' - 7000' 7000' - 8000' 10000' - 11000'
Thursday Freezing Level 7000' - 8000' 8000' - 9000' 10000' - 11000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level 6000' - 7000' 6500' - 7500' 9000' - 10000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
6000' - 7000'
Thursday Freezing Level
7000' - 8000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
6000' - 7000'
Friday Snow Level
3500' - 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
7000' - 8000'
Thursday Freezing Level
8000' - 9000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
6500' - 7500'
Friday Snow Level
4000' - 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
10000' - 11000'
Thursday Freezing Level
10000' - 11000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
9000' - 10000'
Friday Snow Level
5000' - 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, 2019

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.