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Mountain Weather Forecast

Issued: 2:51 PM PST Friday, April 26, 2024
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday

Cool, wet and active springtime weather continues across the Pacific Northwest through the weekend. Rain and snow shower activity associated with a broad trough on Friday should gradually decrease Friday night as the trough shifts eastward. Snow levels drop around 5000-6000 ft. Without a real break in the action, a subtle shortwave trough arrives on Saturday. This should bring an increase in scattered mostly light showers along with increasing light to moderate WSW ridgeline winds. These winds will be out of the SSW in the Mt Baker area where they should be in the moderate range most of the day, leading to around 1/2"of water equivalent during the day while other areas while other areas generally get 1/4" or less. Snow levels hover around 4000-5000 ft.

The deep Aleutian low responsible for the aforementioned shortwave feature drops toward our region Saturday night and Sunday, bringing the jet stream back focused on our region. Expect continued light rain and snow shower activity for the west slopes of the Cascades and the immediate lee of the crest with a subtle increase for the north Cascades Sunday afternoon. Expect moderate ridgeline winds at times for the mountain gaps and east slopes of the Cascades in particularly. The east slopes should continue to expect plenty of sun breaks throughout the period. Snow levels lower to 3500-4500 ft Saturday night through Sunday, well below seasonal norms.

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers.
Increasing light rain and snow showers (become moderate in the southern and western portions of the range).
West North
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers.
Moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds.
West Central
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers.
Increasing light rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
West South
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers.
Increasing light rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds in the afternoon.
Stevens Pass
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Increasing light rain and snow showers. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Snoqualmie Pass
Friday Night Decreasing generally light rain and higher elevation snow showers. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Increasing light rain and snow showers. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
East North
Friday Night Partly to mostly cloudy skies with an isolated rain or snow shower possible.
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain or snow showers developing by the afternoon.
East Central
Friday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain or high elevation snow showers decrasing or ending overnight.
Mostly cloudy with a light rain or snow showers increasing in the western part of the zone.
East South
Friday Night Partly cloudy with isolated light rain or high elevation snow showers decrasing or ending overnight.
Mostly cloudy with a few light rain or snow showers near the Cascade Crest.
Mt. Hood
Friday Night Decreasing scattered rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds at times.
Increasing light ain and snow showers. Ridgeline winds increasing into the moderate range by the afternoon.

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' 5500' 5500' None' 5500'
Friday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 5000' 5000' None' 5000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 4500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 5000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 5000'
Saturday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 5000'
Sunday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 3500' 3500' 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
5500'
Friday Night Snow Level
5000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
4500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Friday Night Snow Level
5000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
4500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
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
5500'
Friday Night Snow Level
5000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
5000'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
4000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'

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

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 WSW None - None
Friday Night --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None WSW None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None WSW 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 WSW None - None
Friday Night WSW None - None
Saturday Morning WSW None - None
Saturday Afternoon WSW 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 WSW None - None
Friday Night WSW None - None
Saturday Morning WSW None - None
Saturday 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.

Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Tuesday

The cold trough approaching through the weekend arrives Sunday with a frontal band bringing moderate rain and snow to the west slopes of the Cascades and light precitation further east. The trough moves onshore on Monday with decreasing shower activity, but the unseasonably cool, showery, and unsettled pattern continues through Tuesday. Expect snow levels in the 2500-3500 ft range throughout this period with a diurnal fluctuation in temperatures and snow levels.

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'
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 I Extended Weather

Previous forecast from April 25, 2024

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