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Mountain Weather Forecast

Issued: 2:14 PM PST Thursday, April 25, 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 Thursday night through Saturday

Our cool and wet weather patten continues as we wrap up the week and head into the weekend. The upper trough responsible for Thursday's rain pushes inland overnight. This will cause precipitation and winds to increase. Expect moderate to strong and gusty winds in most locations. Rain and snow will also make their way over the crest and bring a period of more focused precipitation to the eastern forecast zones. 

Instead of clearing out, the trough stalls and expands. It won't be quite as wet Friday and Friday night, but we won't exactly dry out either. Showers and clouds will be most prevalent in the morning. With daytime heating and a little sunshine, we should see clouds gather, and skies begin to part. While you could find a sun break just about anywhere, they'll be more prevalent east of the crest. Friday night, onshore flow and lingering moisture should draw low-level clouds back into the west slopes and passes with a return to cloudy skies.

A more organized storm in the Gulf of Alaska will eject several waves of moisture toward the Pacific Northwest over the weekend and into the first part of next week. The first of these pulses arrives Saturday. Precipitation should start in the Olympics and North Cascades during the morning before spreading further south in the afternoon. Similar to most of these recent events, this storm doesn't look particularly wet, but you'll see an increase in precipitation and ridgeline winds as the front crosses the mountains. 

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Thursday Night Mostly cloudy with rain and snow, heaviest in the western and southern Olympics. Light to moderate SW winds.
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers.
West North
Thursday Night Cloudy. Rain and snow could be moderate at times. Moderate to strong and gusty S winds decreasing slightly.
Cloudy with showers in the morning. Becoming isolated with sun breaks in the afternoon. Light to moderate S winds turning SW and decreasing.
West Central
Thursday Night Cloudy. Rain and snow could be moderate at time. Moderate to strong and gusty S winds decreasing slightly.
Cloudy with showers in the morning. Becoming isolated with sun breaks in the afternoon.
West South
Thursday Night Cloudy. Rain and snow could be moderate at time. Moderate to strong and gusty SW winds decreasing slightly.
Cloudy with showers in the morning. Becoming isolated with sun breaks in the afternoon.
Stevens Pass
Thursday Night Cloudy with generally light rain and snow. Light to moderate WSW winds decreasing.
Cloudy with showers in the morning. Becoming isolated with sun breaks in the afternoon. Generally light W flow at pass level.
Snoqualmie Pass
Thursday Night Cloudy with generally light rain and snow. Moderate SW winds turning W and decreasing slightly.
Cloudy with showers in the morning. Becoming isolated with sun breaks in the afternoon. Generally light W flow at pass level.
East North
Thursday Night Cloudy with showers in the evening, becoming more isolated overnight. Light to moderate SSW winds decreasing.
Cloudy in the morning with a few showers mainly near the crest. Becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon.
East Central
Thursday Night Cloudy to mostly cloudy overnight with showers mainly in the evening, becoming more isolated. Moderate SW winds turning W.
Mostly cloudy with a few showers in the morning. Becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon.
East South
Thursday Night Cloudy to mostly cloudy overnight with showers, heaviest near the crest Moderate to strong and gusty WSW winds turning W and decreasing slightly.
Mostly cloudy in the morning with showers near the crest. Becoming partly to mostly sunny.
Mt. Hood
Thursday Night Cloudy with generally moderate rain and snow could be heavy at times. Strong and gusty W winds decreasing overnight.
Cloudy with showers in the morning. Mostly cloudy with showers and the possibility of a few sun breaks in the afternoon. W winds becoming moderate.

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' 5000' 5000' None' 5500'
Thursday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 5000'
Friday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 5000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5500' 5500' None' 6000'
Friday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 5000'
Friday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 4500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 4500'
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
5000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
5000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Friday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Friday Night Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
5000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Friday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Friday Night Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
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
5500'
Thursday Night Snow Level
5000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Friday Night Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Saturday 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

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

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 W 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 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 W None - None
Thursday Night W None - None
Friday Morning W 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 W None - None
Thursday Night W None - None
Friday Morning W 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.

Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Monday

After several days of mild and wet weather, temperatures will finally start to cool, and snow levels lower. A cold front originating from the Pacific low should push through the area Sunday night. This will bring yet another round of precipitation and stronger winds followed by post-frontal showers. It won't be particularly cold, but we could see snow, or at least a rain/snow mix, at Cascade Pass levels by Monday morning. This doesn't look like the end of our cool and unsettled weather pattern. Additional disturbances appear to swing through the region throughout the week. However, the exact timing and strength of each storm is a bit unclear. 

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'
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 24, 2024

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