Issued: 3:45 PM PDT Saturday, April 16, 2022
by Matt Primomo

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

Weather Synopsis

Forecast updated at 3:40: Precipitation amounts for Crystal and Hood day 2

On Saturday afternoon a low-pressure center shifted east of the region, returning the PNW to cool, unsettled weather and increasingly widespread afternoon convective snow showers. The trough responsible for nearly a week of cold, snowy weather will finally slide east during the evening. In the wake of the departed low, westerly winds have picked up at ridgelines from the Central Cascades south to Mt Hood and should peak Saturday evening. Expect decreasing light to moderate snow showers for most mountain areas tonight. Convergence may enhance snowfall with 3-6” amounts between Snoqualmie Pass and the Mountain Loop while other parts of the west slopes of the Cascades pick up 1-3” before weak ridging cuts off moisture by Sunday morning.

Ridgeline winds will decrease for much of the region and we can expect broken to partly cloudy skies on Sunday morning while a weak and short-lived ridge passes overhead. Some afternoon clouds may bubble up and lead to scattered snow showers in the northeastern corner of the Washington Cascades in the afternoon. Increasing high clouds move in from south to north during the day as the next frontal system approaches. Low-level easterly winds develop and increase, potentially becoming moderate at times near Snoqualmie Pass from late Sunday afternoon through early Monday.

Expect precipitation to begin affecting much of the region by early Monday morning. Strong southerly ridgetop winds should create stormy conditions with slightly increasing snow levels as the front slowly sags inland during the day. The system should produce snowfall for most of the region all day on Monday before the focus of snowfall narrows to the west side and crest of the Cascades into the evening. Snowfall should continue well into the night for many areas, and we're looking at around 6-12" of medium-density snow by dusk on Monday for favored locations such as the Washington Volcanoes, with lesser amounts elsewhere.

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, light snow showers, drying later.
Sunday Mostly clear with increasing clouds as the day progresses.
Saturday Night Light, scattered snow showers, tapering off by early morning.
Sunday Patchy clouds with increasing high clouds later in the day. A chance of scattered showers in some areas.
Saturday Night Light to moderate snow, becoming scattered by early morning.
Sunday Scattered showers tapering off early, then skies becoming broken. Increasing high clouds later.
Saturday Night Light snow showers in the evening, tapering off overnight.
Sunday Partly cloudy, becoming overcast before noon.
Saturday Night Light to moderate snowfall, becoming showery later. Light to moderate west winds at pass level.
Sunday Partly to mostly sunny with increasing high clouds later. Light winds.
Saturday Night Light to moderate rain and snow, becoming showery later. Moderate west winds at pass level.
Sunday Partly to mostly sunny with increasing high clouds by mid-day. Winds becoming light to moderate from the east at pass level later.
Saturday Night Scattered light snow showers early, then skies becoming mostly clear later.
Sunday Mostly sunny early, with clouds building and chances for scattered showers in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Scattered light snow showers early, then skies becoming mostly clear later.
Sunday Mostly sunny early, with increasing high clouds later.
Saturday Night Scattered light snow showers early, then skies becoming mostly clear.
Sunday Party cloudy becoming mostly cloudy with chance of light showers later in the day.
Saturday Night Snow showers becoming scattered and tapering off later. Strong westerly ridgeline winds.
Sunday Mostly cloudy with chances for light showers in the afternoon.

Issued: 3:45 PM PDT Saturday, April 16, 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 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25 1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 0 LT 0.10 0.50
Stevens Pass 0.25 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10 0.50
Paradise 0.25 0 LT 0.25 0.75
White Pass LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10 0.50
Washington Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0.25
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0 0 0.50
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10 0.50 - 0.75
Timberline LT 0.25 0 LT 0.10 0.50 - 0.75
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 1.00
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.75
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.25
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.50
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50 - 0.75

Issued: 3:45 PM PDT Saturday, April 16, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night Sunday Morning Sunday Afternoon* Sunday Evening* Sunday Night* Monday Morning* Monday Afternoon
Olympics 2000' 1500' 1500' 3500' 4000' 3500' 3500' 3500'
West North 2500' 1500' 1500' 4000' 5000' 4000' 3000' 3000'
West Central 2500' 1500' 1500' 4500' 5000' 4000' 3000' 3500'
West South 2500' 1500' 1000' 4500' 5000' 4000' 3500' 3500'
Stevens Pass 2500' 1500' 1000' 4500' 4500' 3500' 3000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 1500' 1000' 4500' 4000' 3000' 3000' 3500'
East North 3000' 1500' 1000' 4500' 4500' 3000' 3000' 3000'
East Central 3000' 1500' 1000' 4500' 4000' 3000' 3000' 3500'
East South 3000' 1500' 1000' 4500' 4500' 3500' 3500' 4000'
Mt. Hood 2500' 1500' 1500' 4500' 5500' 4000' 4500' 4500'
Olympics Elevation
Saturday Evening 2000'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon* 3500'
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
West North Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4000'
Sunday Evening* 5000'
Sunday Night* 4000'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
West Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 5000'
Sunday Night* 4000'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
West South Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 5000'
Sunday Night* 4000'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 4500'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
East North Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 4500'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
East Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 4000'
Sunday Night* 3000'
Monday Morning* 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
East South Elevation
Saturday Evening 3000'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1000'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 4500'
Sunday Night* 3500'
Monday Morning* 3500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening 2500'
Saturday Night 1500'
Sunday Morning 1500'
Sunday Afternoon* 4500'
Sunday Evening* 5500'
Sunday Night* 4000'
Monday Morning* 4500'
Monday Afternoon 4500'

Issued: 3:45 PM PDT Saturday, April 16, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Saturday Night Sunday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 27 / 17 34 / 19
West North 31 / 20 35 / 20
West Central 31 / 22 35 / 21
West South 28 / 19 36 / 22
Stevens Pass 31 / 21 35 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass 28 / 22 36 / 22
East North 30 / 20 33 / 20
East Central 30 / 19 35 / 21
East South 31 / 17 35 / 23
Mt. Hood 30 / 19 39 / 23
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 27 / 17
Sunday 34 / 19
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 31 / 20
Sunday 35 / 20
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 31 / 22
Sunday 35 / 21
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 28 / 19
Sunday 36 / 22
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 31 / 21
Sunday 35 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 28 / 22
Sunday 36 / 22
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 30 / 20
Sunday 33 / 20
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 30 / 19
Sunday 35 / 21
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 31 / 17
Sunday 35 / 23
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 30 / 19
Sunday 39 / 23

Issued: 3:45 PM PDT Saturday, April 16, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 3:45 PM PDT Saturday, April 16, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

On Monday evening WSW winds focus moderate rain and snow showers on the west slopes of the Cascades with decreasing spillover to the east slopes. Precipitation generally becomes lighter overnight, though convergence bands may locally enhance snowfall over the North Cascades. On Tuesday, a trough over the area should maintain cool, showery weather. Showers should focus on the west slopes of the Cascades where scattered light snow may continue with increased intensity as convection increases during the afternoon into the early evening hours. Another transient ridge brings partial clearing late Tuesday night. A deep, closed low approaching from the west may bring increasing clouds and light rain/snow to southern parts of the forecast region by the end of the day.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday *
West North 2000' 3000' 1000' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 3000' 1500' 4500'
Mt. Hood 2500' 3500' 2500' 5000'
West North Elevation
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday 3000'
Tuesday Night 1000'
Wednesday * 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday 3000'
Tuesday Night 1500'
Wednesday * 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday 3500'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday * 5000'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 16, 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’.