Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Tuesday
Although the NWAC weather forecast desk is winding down, the weather pattern hasn't received the memo. Some of the coolest temperatures of the spring will accompany unsettled weather into early next week.
A deep trough and associated low pressure center slide down the British Columbia coastline. WSW winds aloft will bring in this period of the most vigorous light to moderate showers rotating into the region ahead of the trough. Expect the heaviest precipitation in convergence shifting from the Skagit in the evening hours into the mountain loop area overnight. Already unseasonably low snow levels on Sunday continue to lower thorugh Sunday night and should be in the 2000-3000 ft range in the north and the 3000-4000 ft range in the south.
The first and coldest lobe of the trough reaches the coast early Monday and crosses the Cascades late morning. As the trough moves onshore, the precipitation eases somewhat for the northern Cascades, but expect a period of moderate to locally heavy snowfall for Mt Hood in the morning hours. Convergence potential shifts slightly further south with the potential targets from the Mountain loop to Snoqualmie Pass. Snow levels should be in the 2000-3500 ft range. With cold air in place, the west slopes of the Cascades can expect up to a 30% chance of a thunderstorm in the mid-day or afternoon hours, with a slight chance further east.
The cold torugh continues to bring mostly light showers to the same areas (moderate in Convergence locally in the central Washington Cascades) Monday night with 2500-3000 ft snow levels. On Tuesday the filling final lobe of the trough arrives. Expect most of the scattered (but locally intense) rain and snow shower activity to be south of I-90 with isolated showers further north.
The west slopes of the Cascades can expect 6-18" of low-density snowfall above the rain/snow line by the end of the day on Tuesday with up to 6" east of the Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds focus mostly on the mountain gaps and areas east of the Cascade Crest. These winds should decrease from north to south Sunday night through Monday night.
This April 28th, 2024 product is the final mountain weather forecast of the 2023-24 season. Thanks so much for joining us - from all of us at the weather forecast desk (Robert, Dennis, and Dallas).
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with decreasing light rain and snow showers. |
| Monday | Unseasonably cool with scattered to isolated rain and snow showers. |
West North
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with moderate rain and snow showers in the evening becoming light overnight. |
| Monday | Unseasonably cool with light rain and snow showers along with sun breaks at times. |
West Central
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with moderate rain and snow showers along with convergence bands. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Monday | Unseasonably cool with light rain and snow showers that may be locally intense in the mid-day or afternoon hours with a chance of a thunderstorm. Also a chance of convergence at times. |
West South
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with light rain and snow showers (moderate at Paradise). Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Monday | Light rain and snow showers (moderate at times at Paradise). A chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
Stevens Pass
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with decreasing light to moderate rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. |
| Monday | Unseasonably cool with light rain and snow showers that may be locally intense in the mid-day or afternoon hours with a chance of a thunderstorm. Also a chance of convergence at times. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass. |
Snoqualmie Pass
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with decreasing light to moderate rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass. |
| Monday | Unseasonably cool with light rain and snow showers that may be locally intense in the mid-day or afternoon hours with a chance of a thunderstorm. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass becoming moderate at times in the afternoon. |
East North
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with decreasing light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds become light overnight. |
| Monday | Unseasonably cool with a few light rain and snow showers. A chance of an afternoon thunderstorm along with increasing sun breaks. |
East Central
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with decreasing light rain and snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Monday | Unseasonably cool with a few light rain and snow showers. A chance of an afternoon thunderstorm along with increasing sun breaks. Moderate ridgeline winds. |
East South
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with decreasing light rain and snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline winds. |
| Monday | Unseasonably cool with a few light rain and snow showers and a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm along with increasing sun breaks. Light to occasionally moderate ridgeline winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday Night | Unseasonably cool with increasing light rain and snow showers become moderate in the early morning hours. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds. |
| Monday | Unseasonably cool with moderate rain and snow showers, heavy at times in the morning hours. Moderate ridgeline winds with strong gusts. |
Issued: 2:53 PM PST Sunday, April 28, 2024
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 4000' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3500' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 3000' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3500' |
| Monday Evening | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3000' | 3000' | None' | 3500' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 2500' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 2500' | 2500' | None' | 3000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | None' | None' | None' | None' | 3500' | 3500' | None' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level None' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level None' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
* 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
| Sunday Night | Monday | Monday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | 5 pm - 5 am | 5 am - 5 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tieton River - Darland Mt. | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 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: 2:53 PM PST Sunday, April 28, 2024
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | WSW None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | --- None - None | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W None - None |
| Sunday Night | WSW None - None |
| Monday Morning | W None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | W None - None |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | --- None - None |
| Sunday Night | --- None - None |
| Monday Morning | --- None - None |
| Monday Afternoon | --- None - None |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W None - None |
| Sunday Night | WSW None - None |
| Monday Morning | W None - None |
| Monday 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: 2:53 PM PST Sunday, April 28, 2024
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' | |
| Thursday | Snow Level | None' - None' | None' - None' | None' - None' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level None' - None' |
| Thursday |
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 27, 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.