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 & Tuesday
The last wave of the front that was stalled over the Northwest mid-week finally kicked the front to the east on Thursday. Showers generally decreased and ended over the Olympics and Cascades Thursday. With solar effects and a bit of a warming trend in advance of the incoming system some warmer temperatures were seen by Thursday afternoon.
It might be April but the weather pattern is more like fall!
An upper short wave and deep low pressure system will move north over the Northwest coastal waters on Friday. The low will fill from the 970 mb range to about 980 mb as it moves north about 125 miles off the Washington coast. An occluded front moved south to north over the Northwest by sunrise. The SSE flow aloft and offshore surface flow favored the volcanoes and Cascade east slopes for precipitation Friday early morning.
A lull in showers was generally seen following the occluded front Friday morning.
Southwest flow should greatly increase and showers continue to ramp up Friday afternoon following the upper short wave and continue into Friday night. Regarding alpine winds, NWAC stations indicate that Hurricane is living up to it's name, Mission has had gusts to the 90's and Crystal to the low 100's Friday afternoon. The Thursday afternoon WRF run continued to favor the Washington volcanoes for precipitation Friday afternoon and night.
Diminishing action should be seen Saturday. A weak slightly splitting upper trough and cooler air mass should move east over the Northwest and UW west coast. Greatly decreasing WSW flow and diminishing showers should be seen over the Olympics and Cascades. The Thursday afternoon UW WRF run indicates convergence lingering over the north Cascades near Glacier Peak Saturday afternoon and evening.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Increasing moderate occasional heavy showers heaviest west Olympics. Strong shifting alpine winds. A cooling trend. |
| Saturday Morning - Saturday Afternoon |
Decreasing light to moderate showers heaviest west Olympics. |
| Saturday Night |
Light showers decreasing and ending. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Increasing moderate occasional heavy showers heaviest on the volcanoes. Strong shifting alpine winds. A cooling trend. |
| Saturday Morning - Saturday Afternoon |
Decreasing light to moderate showers. Enhanced showers in convergence north Cascades. |
| Saturday Night |
Light showers decreasing and ending. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Increasing moderate showers. Strong shifting alpine winds. A cooling trend. |
| Saturday Morning - Saturday Afternoon |
Decreasing light showers. |
| Saturday Night |
Light showers higher elevations decreasing and ending. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Friday Mid-day - Friday Night |
Increasing moderate showers. Strong shifting alpine winds. A cooling trend. |
| Saturday Morning - Saturday Afternoon |
Decreasing light to moderate showers. |
| Saturday Night |
Light showers decreasing and ending. |
Issued: 4:07 PM PDT Friday, April 7, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 4500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3000' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
* 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
| Tuesday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 2.00 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 0.75 |
| White Pass | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.75 |
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: 4:07 PM PDT Friday, April 7, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSE 30 - 45 | SSE 25 - 35 | SSE 25 - 35 | --- - | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 | SSE 30 - 45 | SW 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 45 | SW 30 - 45 | SW 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Evening | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Evening | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
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 Mid-day | SSE 40 - 60 | SSE 40 - 60 | SSW 55 - 75 | --- - | SSW 50 - 70 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 60 - 80 | SSW 50 - 70 | SSW 60 - 80 | --- - | SSW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Evening | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSE 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSE 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 50 - 70 |
| Friday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSW 55 - 75 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Evening | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | SSW 50 - 70 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
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: 4:07 PM PDT Friday, April 7, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
A brief upper ridge and temporary surface high pressure will build slightly north and move east across the Northwest on Sunday. But clouds will gradually move in from an approaching front.
An upper trough and front will move east across the Northwest on Sunday night and Monday. The main winds and precipitation should be seen in the south Cascades.
Another weak upper ridge and brief surface high should cross the Northwest much of Tuesday. Models vary a bit on how soon the next front will reach the Northwest Tuesday night.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades, Mt Hood
Increasing high clouds in the morning. Increasing mid and high clouds in the afternoon.
Increasing light to moderate rain or snow changing to showers. Winds and rain or snow may be heaviest in the south Cascades. Light showers near and west of the Cascade crest ending Monday night.
Partly or mostly sunny. Increasing clouds Tuesday night. Increasing rain or snow possible by Wednesday morning.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday - Tuesday | Snow Level | 2500' - 4500' | 2500' - 4500' | 2500' - 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Apr 7, 2017
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.
Precipitation forecast for Crystal corrected at 4 pm.