Issued: 3:44 PM PDT Tuesday, April 12, 2022
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

Updated 5000 ft temperatures 3:45 PM.

An upper and surface low off the coast of Vancouver Island should continue to keep the region cool and unsettled with periods of low-density snow. The low continues to spin offshore Tuesday night. Increasing light to moderate low-level E flow Tuesday night combined with easterly circulation around the low north of Mt. Rainier and westerly flow further south should focus the heavier accumulations along the east slopes of the Washington Cascades and west slopes from Mt. Rainier south to Mt. Hood. Snow could be heavy at times with significant uncertainty in snow amounts, but up to 10 inches may be possible in favored areas. Most areas can expect 1-4" of snow.

On Wednesday, the low shifts toward the mouth of the Columbia River, shifting showery graupel/snowfall toward the southern Cascades and decreasing low-level E flow. Expect an isolated chance of weak afternoon thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy skies linger across the central and northern Washington Cascades. The low-pressure weakens with time, allowing for some moderation in temperatures by the afternoon after a chilly start to the day.

The low continues to weaken in situ or drift slightly southward Wednesday night with more isolated snow shower activity. Models are uncertain whether the low shifts across the Cascades sometime Thursday, but expect a drier morning and instability showers in the afternoon due to cold air aloft and more sun breaks.

 

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
Tuesday Night Scattered light, but locally intense snow/graupel showers.
Wednesday Decreasing light snow/graupel showers.
Tuesday Night Isolated cells or bands of snow/graupel showers ending overnight.
Wednesday Partly to mostly cloudy with extended sun breaks during late morning and mid-day hours.
Tuesday Night Scattered cells or bands of snow/graupel showers.
Wednesday Partly to mostly cloudy.
Tuesday Night Decreasing light, but locally intense snow/graupel showers.
Wednesday Light snow/graupel showers intensifying in the afternoon with a slight chance of a T-storm.
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate cells or bands of snow/graupel showers. Light E winds becoming moderate overnight at the Pass.
Wednesday Light snow or snow showers in the morning, then becoming mostly cloudy.
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate cells or bands of snow/graupel showers. Light E winds becoming moderate overnight at the Pass.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy, then becoming partly cloudy late in the day.
Tuesday Night Decreasing periods of light snow.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy.
Tuesday Night Periods of light to moderate upslope snow.
Wednesday Light upslope snow decreasing or ending by the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light upslope snow.
Wednesday Light upslope snow or snow showers.
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow showers.
Wednesday Light to occasionally moderate snow showers.

Issued: 3:44 PM PDT Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 3:44 PM PDT Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Evening* Tuesday Night* Wednesday Morning* Wednesday Afternoon* Wednesday Evening* Wednesday Night* Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics 1500' 500' 500' 2000' 1500' 500' 500' 2000'
West North 2000' 0 1000' 3000' 2500' 1000' 500' 2500'
West Central 1500' 500' 1000' 3000' 2000' 500' 500' 2000'
West South 1500' 0 0 1500' 1500' 500' 500' 2000'
Stevens Pass 1500' 500' 0 2500' 2000' 0 500' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 1500' 500' 500' 3000' 2500' 0 500' 2000'
East North 1000' 0 500' 2500' 2000' 1000' 500' 2500'
East Central 1500' 500' 0 2000' 2000' 0 500' 2000'
East South 1500' 0 0 1500' 1500' 500' 500' 2000'
Mt. Hood 1500' 1000' 1000' 2000' 1500' 500' 0 2000'
Olympics Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2000'
Wednesday Evening* 1500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 2000'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Wednesday Evening* 2500'
Wednesday Night* 1000'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2500'
West Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Wednesday Evening* 2000'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
West South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1500'
Wednesday Evening* 1500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2500'
Wednesday Evening* 2000'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 3000'
Wednesday Evening* 2500'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
East North Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1000'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Morning* 500'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2500'
Wednesday Evening* 2000'
Wednesday Night* 1000'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2500'
East Central Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 500'
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2000'
Wednesday Evening* 2000'
Wednesday Night* 0'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
East South Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 0'
Wednesday Morning* 0'
Wednesday Afternoon* 1500'
Wednesday Evening* 1500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 500'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening* 1500'
Tuesday Night* 1000'
Wednesday Morning* 1000'
Wednesday Afternoon* 2000'
Wednesday Evening* 1500'
Wednesday Night* 500'
Thursday Morning 0'
Thursday Afternoon 2000'

Issued: 3:44 PM PDT Tuesday, April 12, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 23 / 15 29 / 15
West North 24 / 17 30 / 7
West Central 24 / 18 29 / 18
West South 24 / 18 29 / 18
Stevens Pass 25 / 16 29 / 16
Snoqualmie Pass 24 / 17 28 / 16
East North 26 / 12 29 / 112
East Central 25 / 14 27 / 14
East South 25 / 14 27 / 15
Mt. Hood 24 / 16 29 / 17
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 23 / 15
Wednesday 29 / 15
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 24 / 17
Wednesday 30 / 7
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 24 / 18
Wednesday 29 / 18
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 24 / 18
Wednesday 29 / 18
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 25 / 16
Wednesday 29 / 16
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 24 / 17
Wednesday 28 / 16
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 26 / 12
Wednesday 29 / 112
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 25 / 14
Wednesday 27 / 14
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 25 / 14
Wednesday 27 / 15
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 24 / 16
Wednesday 29 / 17

Issued: 3:44 PM PDT Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics S 0-10 SE 0-10 ESE 5-15 ESE 5-15
West North SE 10-20 ESE 10-20 ESE 5-15 ESE 5-15
West Central ESE 10-20 ESE 15-25 ESE 10-20 ESE 10-20
West South SE 0-10 SE 5-15 ESE 5-15 ESE 5-15
Stevens Pass ESE 10-20 E 15-25 E 10-20 E 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass ESE 10-20 ESE 10-20 ESE 15-25 ESE 10-20
East North ESE 10-20 ESE 15-25 ESE 10-20 ESE 5-15
East Central ESE 10-20 ESE 15-25 E 15-25 E 15-25
East South E 0-10 ESE 5-15 ENE 5-15 ENE 5-15
Mt. Hood WSW 10-20 S 5-15 WSW 5-15 W 5-15
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening S 0-10
Tuesday Night SE 0-10
Wednesday Morning ESE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon ESE 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SE 10-20
Tuesday Night ESE 10-20
Wednesday Morning ESE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon ESE 5-15
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening ESE 10-20
Tuesday Night ESE 15-25
Wednesday Morning ESE 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon ESE 10-20
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening SE 0-10
Tuesday Night SE 5-15
Wednesday Morning ESE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon ESE 5-15
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening ESE 10-20
Tuesday Night E 15-25
Wednesday Morning E 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon E 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening ESE 10-20
Tuesday Night ESE 10-20
Wednesday Morning ESE 15-25
Wednesday Afternoon ESE 10-20
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening ESE 10-20
Tuesday Night ESE 15-25
Wednesday Morning ESE 10-20
Wednesday Afternoon ESE 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening ESE 10-20
Tuesday Night ESE 15-25
Wednesday Morning E 15-25
Wednesday Afternoon E 15-25
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening E 0-10
Tuesday Night ESE 5-15
Wednesday Morning ENE 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon ENE 5-15
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday Evening WSW 10-20
Tuesday Night S 5-15
Wednesday Morning WSW 5-15
Wednesday Afternoon W 5-15

Issued: 3:44 PM PDT Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

A broad area of low pressure keeps instability showers going, peaking each day during the afternoon. Temperatures continue to moderate very gradually but remain below normal. A developing system moving into Oregon on Saturday brings a chance for some light to moderate and more stratiform light to moderate snowfall focused on the Mt. Hood area and southern Washington Cascades.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night Friday * Friday Night* Saturday
West North 1500' 2500' 2000' 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass 1000' 2500' 1500' 2000'
Mt. Hood 1000' 2000' 2000' 1500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night 1500'
Friday * 2500'
Friday Night* 2000'
Saturday 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night 1000'
Friday * 2500'
Friday Night* 1500'
Saturday 2000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night 1000'
Friday * 2000'
Friday Night* 2000'
Saturday 1500'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 12, 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’.