Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Saturday, April 2, 2022
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

The Pacific Northwest enters a very active pattern for the latter half of the weekend into early next week. A few very light rain/snow showers exit the north Cascades Saturday evening as a weak high pressure temporarily keeps the region dry. A strong and moist frontal system begins to spread rain/snow into the region by the early morning hours with minor accumulations of snow above 3000 ft for Mt. Baker and the western slopes of the Olympics. The front pushes into the nearshore waters by Saturday morning and precipitation increases across NW Washington before spreading throughout the region as the front moves onshore in the afternoon. The Olympics and volcanoes will be favored for precipitation amounts. Snoqualmie Pass should stay rain with snow levels slightly above the Pass. Ridgeline winds should increase into the moderate range for areas impacted by SSW flow.

The front could bring subtle cooling to northern Washington Sunday evening as moisture intensifies as a second system brings a warm front northward into the region, raising snow levels by around 500-1000 ft. Expect heavy rain/snow with east side spillover and strong to extreme SW winds for most of the region.

The front crosses the Cascades Monday morning with strong cooling in its wake. Snow levels in the central Washington Cascades should drop from 4000 to below 3000 ft as steady heavy rain/snow transitions to heavy snow showers. Winds ease slightly but remain strong to locally extreme out of the WSW.

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 Mostly cloudy with a chance of very light rain/snow developing in the early morning hours.
Sunday Light rain/snow becoming moderate by the afternoon.
Saturday Night A few very light rain/snow showers possible in the evening, then steadier rain/snow developing in the early morning hours.
Sunday Light rain and snow becoming moderate to heavy. Ridgeline winds becoming moderate to occasionally strong.
Saturday Night A slight chance of light rain/snow in the evening, then mostly cloudy.
Sunday Light rain/snow developing in the morning and becoming moderate in the afternoon.
Saturday Night A slight chance of light rain/snow in the evening, then mostly cloudy. Light W wind possibly switching E at the Pass.
Sunday Light rain/snow developing in the morning and becoming moderate in the afternoon.
Saturday Night A slight chance of light rain/snow in the evening, then mostly cloudy. Light W wind possibly switching E at the Pass overnight.
Sunday Light snow developing and increasing in the afternoon. Light E wind at the Pass switching back during the morning hours.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy.
Sunday Light snow developing and increasing in the afternoon. Light E wind at the Pass switching back during the morning hours.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy.
Sunday Light rain/snow developing and increasing during the afternoon. Strong ridgeline wind gusts.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy.
Sunday Light rain/snow developing late morning and increasing during the afternoon. Strong ridgeline wind gusts developing.
Saturday Night Mostly clear in the evening with clouds increasing overnight.
Sunday Light rain/snow developing during the afternoon.
Saturday Night Mostly clear in the evening with clouds increasing overnight.
Sunday Light rain/snow developing late morning and increasing during the afternoon.

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Saturday, April 2, 2022

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 0 0.50 1.00 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.10 0.75 -1.00 1.50 0.75 -1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.75 -1.00
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 0.25 0.75 -1.00 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 0.25 1.00 1.00
Crystal Mt 0 LT 0.10 0.75 -1.00 0.75
Paradise 0 0.25 - 0.50 1.50 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass 0 LT 0.25 0.75 0.75 -1.00
Washington Pass 0 0.25 0.75 0.75 -1.00
Mission Ridge 0 0 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 LT 0.25 0.75 -1.00 0.75 -1.00
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50 0.75
Mt Hood Meadows 0 LT 0.10 0.75 0.75 -1.00
Timberline 0 LT 0.10 0.75 1.00
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0.50
Sunday Night 1.00
Monday 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.75 -1.00
Sunday Night 1.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night 0.75 -1.00
Monday 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night 1.00
Monday 1.00
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0.75 -1.00
Monday 0.75
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Sunday Night 1.50
Monday 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0.75
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0.25
Sunday Night 0.75
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.25
Sunday Night 0.75 -1.00
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.75
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0.75
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night 0.75
Monday 1.00

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Saturday, April 2, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night* Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon Sunday Evening Sunday Night* Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics 4000' 4000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 2500' 2000'
West North 3000' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 2500' 2500' 2000'
West Central 3000' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 2000'
West South 4000' 3000' 3000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 2500'
Stevens Pass 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 2500'
East North 4000' 2500' 3000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500' 2500'
East Central 4500' 3500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 3500' 3500' 2500'
East South 4500' 3500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4000' 3000'
Mt. Hood 5000' 5500' 5000' 4000' 4500' 4000' 4500' 3000'
Olympics Elevation
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night* 4000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 2000'
West North Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night* 2500'
Sunday Morning 2500'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night* 2500'
Monday Morning 2500'
Monday Afternoon 2000'
West Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night* 3500'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 3000'
Sunday Evening 3000'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 2000'
West South Elevation
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night* 3000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Sunday Evening 4000'
Sunday Night* 4000'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night* 3000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
Sunday Evening 3500'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night* 3000'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 3500'
Sunday Evening 3500'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
East North Elevation
Saturday Evening 4000'
Saturday Night* 2500'
Sunday Morning 3000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Sunday Evening 4000'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
East Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night* 3500'
Sunday Morning 4000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Sunday Evening 4000'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 2500'
East South Elevation
Saturday Evening 4500'
Saturday Night* 3500'
Sunday Morning 4500'
Sunday Afternoon 4500'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night* 4000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening 5000'
Saturday Night* 5500'
Sunday Morning 5000'
Sunday Afternoon 4000'
Sunday Evening 4500'
Sunday Night* 4000'
Monday Morning 4500'
Monday Afternoon 3000'

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Saturday, April 2, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Saturday Night Sunday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 30 / 25 31 / 26
West North 29 / 26 31 / 27
West Central 29 / 24 31 / 27
West South 32 / 27 31 / 27
Stevens Pass 31 / 26 33 / 27
Snoqualmie Pass 31 / 25 32 / 25
East North 32 / 24 34 / 24
East Central 31 / 25 33 / 27
East South 33 / 27 35 / 28
Mt. Hood 36 / 30 36 / 28
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 30 / 25
Sunday 31 / 26
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 29 / 26
Sunday 31 / 27
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 29 / 24
Sunday 31 / 27
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 32 / 27
Sunday 31 / 27
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 31 / 26
Sunday 33 / 27
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 31 / 25
Sunday 32 / 25
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 32 / 24
Sunday 34 / 24
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 31 / 25
Sunday 33 / 27
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 33 / 27
Sunday 35 / 28
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 36 / 30
Sunday 36 / 28

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Saturday, April 2, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Saturday, April 2, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

Heavy post-frontal snowfall continues Monday night and becomes showery as it eases on Tuesday, focusing on the west slopes of the Cascades. A ridge rebounds late Tuesday and amplifies further on Wednesday. Offshore flow develops on Wednesday as temperatures rebound and sun makes a strong re-appearance.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
West North 1500' 1500' 2000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 1500' 1500' 2000' 3500'
Mt. Hood 2000' 2000' 2500' 4000'
West North Elevation
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday 1500'
Tuesday Night 2000'
Wednesday 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday 1500'
Tuesday Night 2000'
Wednesday 3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday 2000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday 4000'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 2, 2022

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’.