Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Saturday
3:18 PM: Updated some of the water numbers for Saturday.
A disturbance wrapping around a broad upper-level low pressure centered over western Oregon continues to bring periods of light rain, snow, and unsettled weather to the Cascades through Thursday evening. Higher resolution models suggest that the most precipitation may fall from Stevens Pass through the Mountain Loop, but additional precipitation amounts in all areas should be less than 0.25" of water equivalent. Precipitation decreases as the disturbance exits, but there should be enough cool air aloft to maintain chances of light rain or snow showers through early Friday. A subtle surface low-pressure center forms over eastern Washington on Friday. Models diverge regarding the timing of this precipitation, but the chances are highest Friday afternoon and early evening over northern Washington State. Snow levels should be around 2500-3000 ft Friday night, rising to 3500-4000 ft by Friday afternoon.
The broad upper low shifts eastward into the southern Idaho Friday night. Shower activity should taper from north to south. However, Expect a period of moderate W ridgeline winds to develop for the gaps, east slopes of the Cascades, and Mt Hood Friday afternoon and night as W winds return behind the trough. Expect Light rain and snow showers to increase once again ahead of a weak trough approaching Saturday afternoon. Snow levels should be around 3000-3500 ft.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Thursday Night | Mostly cloudy with periods of Mostly cloudy with periods of very light rain and snow, primarily in the northeastern Olympics. rain and snow. |
| Friday | Partly to mostly cloudy. An isolated rain or snow shower is possible. |
West North
| Thursday Night | Cloudy, with periods of light rain and snow decreasing overnight. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with filtered sunshine at times. An isolated rain or snow shower is possible. |
West Central
| Thursday Night | Cloudy, with periods of light to occasionally moderate rain and snow decreasing overnight. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain or snow, primarily during the afternoon hours. |
West South
| Thursday Night | Cloudy, with periods of light rain and snow decreasing overnight. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain or snow, possibly becoming showery. |
Stevens Pass
| Thursday Night | Cloudy, with periods of light rain and snow decreasing overnight. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain or snow, increasing during the afternoon. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday Night | Cloudy, with periods of light rain and snow decreasing overnight. Decreasing light to occasionally moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Light ridgeline winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. Increasing light to occasionally moderate W wind at the Pass. |
East North
| Thursday Night | Cloudy, with periods of light rain and snow decreasing overnight. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
East Central
| Thursday Night | Cloudy, with periods of light rain and snow decreasing overnight. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with occasional light rain or snow. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| Thursday Night | Cloudy, with periods of light rain and snow decreasing or ending overnight. |
| Friday | Partly to mostly cloudy. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday Night | Cloudy, with periods of light rain and snow decreasing overnight. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain or snow, increasing in the afternoon. Increasing moderate ridgeline winds. |
Issued: 3:17 PM PST Thursday, April 4, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 3500' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 3500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 2500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday 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
| Thursday Night | Friday | Friday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 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: 3:17 PM PST Thursday, April 4, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WNW None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WNW None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WNW None - None |
| Thursday Night | W None - None |
| Friday Morning | WNW None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | --- None - None |
| Thursday Night | --- None - None |
| Friday Morning | --- None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WNW None - None |
| Thursday Night | W None - None |
| Friday Morning | WNW None - None |
| Friday Afternoon | W 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: 3:17 PM PST Thursday, April 4, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Monday
The aforementioned weak trough crosses the region early Sunday with more very light rain and snow showers, primarily for the west slopes of the Cascades. Shower activity tapers gradually Sunday night as broad ridgeing develops offshore and pushes into our region. Moisture riding over the ridge into British Columbia will bring clouds and a chance of light rain or snow to northern Washington on Monday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
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 I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from April 4, 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.