Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Thursday
Mountain temperatures may look like spring's version of tropical this afternoon but it's not all sunshine; upper elevation pre-frontal W-SW winds have been moderate to strong in many areas. Camp Muir has been gusting into the low 80s this afternoon with many lower elevation stations in the moderate to even strong range.
High clouds will quickly increase this evening and rain and snow will move into the Olympics and northwest Cascades. A sharp cold front will sweep through the area overnight with a quick burst of moderate precipitation and even stronger W-SW ridgeline winds, extreme on the highest peaks. When precipitation begins, snow levels may initially start in the 4000-5000' range but should quickly fall to 2500-3000' overnight. A fledging convergence zone will form before sunrise over Snohomish and Skagit counties, squaring up between western portions of Hwy 2 and the Mountain Loop Hwy. However, the post-frontal westerly/onshore push behind this system will be brief as the upper low attached to the frontal system starts to pull away and along the coastline. As a result, the convergence zone will dissipate quickly in the morning with light scattered showers developing over the mountains in the afternoon, particularly along the west slopes of the Cascades. As the frontal boundary slows down on Wednesday, the backedge should hang around central WA leaving a fair amount of cloud cover near and east of the Cascade crest/Mt Hood with more low level moisture and clouds along the west slopes of the Cascades.
The upper low will drop further south along the coast Wednesday night and Thursday but begin to wrap around moisture in SE flow. Showers will return to the forecast on Thursday, this time with potentially steadier and heavier precipitation aong the east slopes of the Cascades. Snow levels will be on the cooler side around 3000'.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Tuesday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow becoming showers after midnight. Sharp cooling trend. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with light scattered showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
West North
| Tuesday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow developing in the evening becoming showers after midnight. Sharp cooling trend. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with light scattered showers in the afternoon. |
West Central
| Tuesday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow developing in the evening becoming showers after midnight, heaviest near areas of convergence. Sharp cooling trend. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest near areas of convergence. |
West South
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy in the evening then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing late evening and then turning to showers around midnight. Sharp cooling trend. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with light scattered showers in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
Stevens Pass
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy in the evening then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing late evening and then turning to showers around midnight. Sharp cooling trend. Moderate to occasionally strong W ridgeline and Pass level winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with light scattered showers in the afternoon. Moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy in the evening then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing late evening and then turning to showers around midnight. Sharp cooling trend. Moderate to strong W ridgeline winds and moderate Pass level winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with light scattered showers in the afternoon. Moderate W ridgeline and Pass level winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
East North
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy in the evening then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing around midnight, becoming shower late. Sharp cooling trend. Strong ridgeline winds becoming moderate after midnight. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers becoming isolated in the afternoon with possible filtered sunshine. |
East Central
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy in the evening then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing around midnight, becoming shower late. Sharp cooling trend. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers becoming isolated in the afternoon with possible filtered sunshine. Moderate ridgeline winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
East South
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy in the evening then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing around midnight, becoming shower late. Sharp cooling trend. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers becoming isolated in the afternoon with possible filtered sunshine. Moderate ridgeline winds decreasing in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy in the evening then light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing around midnight, becoming shower late. Sharp cooling trend after midnight. Strong ridgeline winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers in the morning. Showers becoming isolated in the afternoon with possible filtered sunshine. Moderate ridgeline winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:29 PM PST Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 7000' | 7000' | None' | 9000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 4000' | None' | 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 4000' | 3500' | None' | 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 9000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow 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
| Tuesday Night | Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
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: 2:29 PM PST Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | SW None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Tuesday Night | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW None - None |
| Tuesday Night | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW None - None |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | --- None - None |
| Tuesday Night | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Morning | --- None - None |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- None - None |
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: 2:29 PM PST Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Saturday
Wrap around showers should wind down Thurday night. Weak upper level troughing over the area on Friday will maintain the chance for afternoon showers over the mountains. A new upper level trough will approach from the west on Saturday, renewing the chance for showers over the area. Snow levels will generally be in the 3000-4000' over this period with afternoon freezing levels in the 4000-5000'.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
* 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 April 2, 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.