Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Saturday, April 24, 2021
by Dallas Glass

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis

Rain and snow blanket the forecast region this afternoon. Noticeably colder temperatures moved into the area, and snowlevels have begun to slip down the hillsides. Overnight, the widespread precipitation should lift northward, allowing a more showery pattern to settle into the mountains. While cooler weather prevails, this isn't a particularly cold storm. Most locations will experience notable snow accumulation above 4000-4500' with the possibility for an inch or two of slushy wet snow below. The southern volcanoes from Mt Rainier to Mt Hood should receive the most precipitation and could pick up an additional 3-5" of snow by the morning. 

Rain and snow showers will persist on Sunday. Even though snow levels remain in the 4000-5000' range, warm daytime temperatures may limit snow accumulations and could result in wet heavy snow. The unstable atmosphere and daytime warming may create locally heavier convective showers and even a few isolated thunderstorms in the southern half of the forecast area. As the day progresses, look for significant sun breaks east of the crest and south of I90. Basically, Sunday should be an excellent example of the dynamic and varied spring weather here in the Pacific Northwest with conditions changing frequently throughout the day.

The unsettled and showery weather pattern hangs with us as we wrap up the weekend and head into the first part of the weak. Showers should become more isolated and less impactful as the associated through shifts further east. Current weather models disagree about how much available precipitation will remain in our region. However, look for an increase in sunshine with puffy convective clouds building in the afternoon. 

 

 

 

Weather Forecast

Olympics
West North
West Central
West South
Stevens Pass
Snoqualmie Pass
East North
East Central
East South
Mt. Hood
Use dropdown to select your zone
Saturday Night Cloudy with scattered showers.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with isolated showers.
Saturday Night Cloudy with rain/snow turning to showers. Light S winds becoming moderate.
Sunday Cloudy with scattered showers. Light to moderate S-SW winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with rain/snow turning to showers. Light SW winds becoming moderate.
Sunday Cloudy with scattered showers. Light to moderate SW winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with rain/snow turning to showers. WSW winds increasing and becoming moderate.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with some sun breaks. Convective showers with isolated thunderstorms possible. Light to moderate W winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with scattered showers. W winds becoming moderate overnight.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Light W winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with rain/snow turning to scattered showers. Moderate W winds increasing overnight.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with sun breaks possible. Scattered showers. Light to moderate W winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with scattered showers.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with scattered light showers.
Saturday Night Cloudy with scattered showers heaviest near the crest. Moderate W winds decreasing slightly.
Sunday Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Light to moderate W winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with scattered showers. Moderate W winds decreasing slightly overnight.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Light to moderate W winds.
Saturday Night Cloudy with light to moderate rain/snow. Strong W winds decreasing slightly overnight.
Sunday Cloudy with scattered showers. Isolated thunderstorms possible. Moderate W winds.

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Saturday, April 24, 2021

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Saturday, April 24, 2021

Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics 4000' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 5000'
West North 4500' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 5000'
West Central 4500' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 5000'
West South 4500' 4000' 3500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 5000'
Stevens Pass 4500' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass 4500' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 5000'
East North 5000' 4500' 4000' 5000' 4500' 4000' 4500' 5500'
East Central 5000' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4500' 5500'
East South 5000' 4000' 4000' 5000' 4500' 4000' 4500' 5500'
Mt. Hood 5000' 4000' 4000' 5000' 5000' 4000' 4500' 5000'
Olympics Elevation
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
West North Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
West Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
West South Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 3500'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
East North Elevation
Saturday Evening 5000'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 5000'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
East Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 5000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
East South Elevation
Saturday Evening 5000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 5000'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening 5000'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 5000'
Sunday Evening 5000'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday Morning 4500'
Monday Afternoon 5000'

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Saturday, April 24, 2021

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Saturday Night Sunday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 32 / 28 33 / 28
West North 32 / 28 33 / 28
West Central 32 / 28 32 / 28
West South 34 / 28 35 / 28
Stevens Pass 33 / 28 35 / 28
Snoqualmie Pass 32 / 28 32 / 28
East North 35 / 29 37 / 28
East Central 34 / 28 36 / 28
East South 35 / 27 37 / 26
Mt. Hood 34 / 26 36 / 27
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 32 / 28
Sunday 33 / 28
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 32 / 28
Sunday 33 / 28
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 32 / 28
Sunday 32 / 28
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 34 / 28
Sunday 35 / 28
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 33 / 28
Sunday 35 / 28
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 32 / 28
Sunday 32 / 28
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 35 / 29
Sunday 37 / 28
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 34 / 28
Sunday 36 / 28
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 35 / 27
Sunday 37 / 26
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 34 / 26
Sunday 36 / 27

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Saturday, April 24, 2021

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon
Olympics S 0-10 S 0-10 VAR 0-10 W 5-15
West North S 5-15 S 10-20 S 10-20 SW 10-20
West Central SW 0-10 SW 10-20 SW 10-20 SW 5-15
West South SW 5-15 WSW 15-25 WSW 10-20 W 5-15
Stevens Pass W 5-15 W 10-20 W 5-15 W 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass W 5-15 W 15-25 W 10-20 W 10-20
East North W 5-15 W 5-15 W 5-15 W 5-15
East Central W 15-25 W 10-20 W 5-15 W 10-20
East South W 15-25 W 10-20 W 5-15 W 5-15
Mt. Hood WSW 25-35 W 20-30 W 10-20 W 10-20
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening S 0-10
Saturday Night S 0-10
Sunday Morning VAR 0-10
Sunday Afternoon W 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening S 5-15
Saturday Night S 10-20
Sunday Morning S 10-20
Sunday Afternoon SW 10-20
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 0-10
Saturday Night SW 10-20
Sunday Morning SW 10-20
Sunday Afternoon SW 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening SW 5-15
Saturday Night WSW 15-25
Sunday Morning WSW 10-20
Sunday Afternoon W 5-15
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 5-15
Saturday Night W 10-20
Sunday Morning W 5-15
Sunday Afternoon W 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 5-15
Saturday Night W 15-25
Sunday Morning W 10-20
Sunday Afternoon W 10-20
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 5-15
Saturday Night W 5-15
Sunday Morning W 5-15
Sunday Afternoon W 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 15-25
Saturday Night W 10-20
Sunday Morning W 5-15
Sunday Afternoon W 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening W 15-25
Saturday Night W 10-20
Sunday Morning W 5-15
Sunday Afternoon W 5-15
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Saturday Evening WSW 25-35
Saturday Night W 20-30
Sunday Morning W 10-20
Sunday Afternoon W 10-20

Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Saturday, April 24, 2021

Extended Weather Synopsis

While the major weather models disagree strongly over the long-range forecast, it appears Tuesday should remain relatively dry. Lingering low-level clouds may push into the mountains, but no significant rain or snow is expected. As we move toward, Wednesday, that could change. Some models show another storm system impacting the Northwest. Others predicitions keep the region warm and dry. We'll have to wait a few days to see how the long-term weather pattern shakes out. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
West North 4500' 5000' 5000' 7500'
Snoqualmie Pass 4500' 5000' 5500' 8000'
Mt. Hood 4500' 5500' 8000' 10000'
West North Elevation
Monday Night 4500'
Tuesday 5000'
Tuesday Night 5000'
Wednesday 7500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night 4500'
Tuesday 5000'
Tuesday Night 5500'
Wednesday 8000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night 4500'
Tuesday 5500'
Tuesday Night 8000'
Wednesday 10000'

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Precipitation I Snow Level I 5000' Temps I Ridgeline Winds I Extended Weather

Previous forecast from Apr 23, 2021

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.

The 5000’ temperature forecast does not imply a trend over the 12 hr period and only represents the max and min temperatures within a 12 hr period in the zone. The 6-hr snow level forecast, the forecast discussion, and weather forecast sections may add detail regarding temperature trends.

The snow level forecast represents the general snow level over a 6 hr time period. Freezing levels are forecast when precipitation is not expected.

*Easterly or offshore flow is highlighted with an asterisk when we expect relatively cool east winds in the major Cascade Passes. Easterly flow will often lead to temperature inversions and is a key variable for forecasting precipitation type in the Cascade Passes. Strong easterly flow events can affect terrain on a more regional scale.

Ridgeline winds are the average wind speed and direction over a 6 hr time period.

The wind forecast represents an elevation range instead of a single elevation slice. The elevation range overlaps with the near and above treeline elevation bands in the avalanche forecast and differs per zone.

Wind direction indicates the direction the wind originates or comes from on the 16-point compass rose.

Water Equivalent (WE) is the liquid water equivalent of all precipitation types; rain, snow, ice pellets, etc., forecast to the hundredth of an inch at specific locations. To use WE as a proxy for snowfall amounts, start with a snow to water ratio of 10:1 (10 inches of snow = 1 inch WE). Temperatures at or near freezing will generally have a lower ratio (heavy wet snow) and very cold temperatures can have a much higher ratio (dry fluffy snow).

The label LT, is shorthand for ‘less than’.