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Mountain Weather Forecast

Issued: 2:14 PM PST Wednesday, April 24, 2024
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Friday

We're in for a prolonged period of cool, wet weather across the Pacific Northwest. A low pressure system far to our north is dragging a trailing front across the region this Wednesday afternoon. Weakening bands of showers will wash out over the area during the night. As the front pushes into the Cascades, expect gusty winds to increase, particularly near the crest. 

There may not be much of a noticeable break as our second weather feature arrives Thursday morning. Widespread rain and snow will drift over the region from SW to NE as an upper trough approaches the area.  Expect generally constant light precipitation near and west of the crest. As the trough pushes inland, there should be enough forcing to bring precipitation further east later in the afternoon and evening. All total, we should see about 24 hrs of pretty consistent rain and snow.

Instead of fully exiting, the trough expands. Sitting on the backside (western edge) of the feature, we should receive plenty of moisture and onshore flow to maintain showers in the mountains throughout Friday. Our unsettled weather pattern continues into the weekend and next week. 

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Wednesday Night Cloudy with rain and snow showers, heaviest in the western and southern Olympics. Winds becoming SSW light to moderate.
Steady light rain and snow. Light to moderate SSW winds.
West North
Wednesday Night Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Winds turning more southerly and increasing.
Steady light rain and snow. Moderate and gusty S winds.
West Central
Wednesday Night Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Light to moderate WSW winds.
Steady rain and snow could be moderate at times. Moderate SSW winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
West South
Wednesday Night Cloudy with scattered rain and snow showers. Moderate W winds, strongest near the crest, decreasing slightly overnight.
Steady rain and snow near the volcanoes could be moderate at times. Showers closer to the Cascade Crest. Light to moderate but gusty SW winds.
Stevens Pass
Wednesday Night Cloudy with scattered rain and snow showers. Light to moderate W winds.
Cloudy with steady rain and snow. Light SW winds turning W. Pass level flow light and variable.
Snoqualmie Pass
Wednesday Night Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Moderate W winds decreasing slightly.
Steady light rain and snow. Light SW winds turning W. Light and variable pass level flow.
East North
Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated showers near the crest. Light to moderate W winds.
Cloudy to mostly cloudy with scattered showers, mainly in the afternoon.
East Central
Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated showers near the crest. Moderate to strong and gusty W winds decreasing slightly.
Cloudy with showers primarily in the afternoon. Light to moderate but gusty SW winds.
East South
Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated showers near the crest. Moderate to strong and gusty W winds decreasing slightly.
Cloudy with showers primarily in the afternoon. Moderate and gusty SW winds.
Mt. Hood
Wednesday Night Cloudy with a few isolated showers. Moderate to strong and gusty W winds.
Cloudy with rain and snow increasing in the afternoon. Moderate to strong and gusty SW winds decreasing slightly.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Wednesday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 6500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 6000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 6000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 6000'
Thursday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 5500'
Thursday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 5000'
Friday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 4500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
None'
Thursday Night Snow Level
None'
Friday Morning Snow Level
None'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
None'
Thursday Night Snow Level
None'
Friday Morning Snow Level
None'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Washington Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
None'
Thursday Night Snow Level
None'
Friday Morning Snow Level
None'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Leavenworth Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
None'
Thursday Night Snow Level
None'
Friday Morning Snow Level
None'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
4500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
4500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
None'
Thursday Night Snow Level
None'
Friday Morning Snow Level
None'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
6500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Thursday Night Snow Level
5000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'

* 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

Wednesday Night Thursday Thursday Night Friday
5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Paradise LT 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25
White Pass LT 0.10 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10
Washington Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 0.50 0.75 - 1.00 0.25
LT 0.10 0.50 0.75 - 1.00 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0.50
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday LT 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Friday LT 0.25
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0.50
Thursday Night 0.75 - 1.00
Friday 0.25
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0.50
Thursday Night 0.75 - 1.00
Friday 0.25

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Wednesday Evening --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None W None - None
Wednesday Night --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None W None - None
Thursday Morning --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None SW None - None
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Evening --- None - None
Wednesday Night --- None - None
Thursday Morning --- None - None
Thursday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Evening --- None - None
Wednesday Night --- None - None
Thursday Morning --- None - None
Thursday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening --- None - None
Wednesday Night --- None - None
Thursday Morning --- None - None
Thursday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Wednesday Evening --- None - None
Wednesday Night --- None - None
Thursday Morning --- None - None
Thursday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening W None - None
Wednesday Night W None - None
Thursday Morning SW None - None
Thursday Afternoon SW None - None
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening --- None - None
Wednesday Night --- None - None
Thursday Morning --- None - None
Thursday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening --- None - None
Wednesday Night --- None - None
Thursday Morning --- None - None
Thursday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening --- None - None
Wednesday Night --- None - None
Thursday Morning --- None - None
Thursday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening --- None - None
Wednesday Night --- None - None
Thursday Morning --- None - None
Thursday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening W None - None
Wednesday Night W None - None
Thursday Morning SW None - None
Thursday Afternoon SW 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.

Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday

While not a total washout, the weekend looks cool and showery. A low pressure system will start to approach the coast and eject several subtle waves of energy. Each will bring a slightly greater chance of showers and slight uptick in wind speeds. The timing and strength of these features can be tough to nail down this far in advance. Right now, the first of these waves appears to arrive late Saturday afternoon and evening, with a more organized storm following later on Sunday. No matter the timing, our cool and wet weather continues through the weekend and into next week.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Friday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Saturday Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Saturday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Saturday Snow Level
None' - None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Sunday Snow Level
None' - None'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Saturday Snow Level
None' - None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Sunday Snow Level
None' - None'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Saturday Snow Level
None' - None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Sunday 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 23, 2024

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