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 Friday night through Sunday
A cool, unsettled, and mostly cloudy weather pattern refreshes the snow surfaces through the weekend. Light rain and snow will drift into the northern Cascades from central Washington Friday afternoon and evening as weak surface low drifts westward. Mid-level moisture continues to arrive from the east while low-level moisture drives showers from the west, creating an unusual interplay. We're not exactly sure which side of the northern Cascades will receive the most snow, but totals should be in the 1-3" range Friday night. A period of elevated ridgeline winds peaks Friday night, focusing moderate winds and strong gusts on the east slopes of the Cascades, the mountain gaps, and Mt Hood. This should wring out precipitation amounts approaching 0.25" along the west slopes of the volcanoes while other areas pick up less.
Expect a short-lived break in the action early Saturday morning as the broad upper low over the western U.S. exits. An approaching shortwave trough returns increasing light rain and snow showers to the west slopes of the Cascades. Precipitation arrives from SW to NE, peaking in the afternoon through overnight hours and delivering locally moderate amounts of precipitation to the SW Washington Cascades, Mt Hood, and areas from Snoqualmie Pass impacted by a moderate convergence band drifts northward Saturday night. Mostly light rain and showers linger through Sunday. Elevations above 3500 ft can expect 2-6” of snow through the weekend, with snow levels dropping to 2000-2500 ft each night. Further east expect less snow, more sun breaks, and a gradual warming trend with freezing levels rising to 5000 ft by Sunday afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Friday Night | Mostly clear in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy overnight.Mostly clear in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy in the early morning hours. |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain or snow showers mainly from mid-morning onwards. |
West North
| Friday Night | Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of very light snow (eastern and southern parts). |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain or snow showers. |
West Central
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain or snow. |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with light rain or snow showers. |
West South
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with light rain or snow. |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with light rain or snow showers becoming moderate at times in the afternoon for Paradise and Mt St Helens. |
Stevens Pass
| Friday Night | Partly cloudy with light rain or snow showers. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with light rain or snow showers mainly near and west of the Pass. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday Night | Partly to mostly cloudy with light rain or snow showers. Moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass. |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with increasing light rain or snow showers mainly near and west of the Pass. Moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass. |
East North
| Friday Night | Periods of light snow in the evening, tapering overnight. |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers. |
East Central
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with decreasing periods of light rain or snow. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with a few snow showers near the Cascade Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with decreasing periods of light rain or snow. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with a few snow showers near the Cascade Crest. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain or snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds and strong gusts. |
| Saturday | Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds and strong gusts. |
Issued: 2:45 PM PST Friday, April 5, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2000' | 2000' | None' | 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3500' |
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
* 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
| Friday Night | Saturday | Saturday Night | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | 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: 2:45 PM PST Friday, April 5, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W None - None |
| Friday Night | W None - None |
| Saturday Morning | WSW None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W None - None |
| Friday Night | W None - None |
| Saturday Morning | WSW None - None |
| Saturday 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | --- None - None |
| Friday Night | --- None - None |
| Saturday Morning | --- None - None |
| Saturday 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: 2:45 PM PST Friday, April 5, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Tuesday
A broad ridge offshore gradually decreases shower activity Sunday night as it pushes into the region. The ridge flattens on Monday as a frontal system impacting British Columbia drops southward. Although the frontal system weakens, it should bring some light to moderate rain or snow from Snoqualmie Pass northward through Tuesday. Our region will be on the warm side of the system, so expect snow levels to rise 1000-1500 ft relative to the weekend.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Tuesday |
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 5, 2024
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