Issued: 2:48 PM PDT Sunday, April 17, 2022
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

On Sunday afternoon, satellite imagery shows a deep low and well-developed frontal system off the Pacific Northwest coastline with high clouds providing filtered sunshine over the region. The frontal system slows as it approaches the coastline Sunday night with clouds lowering and thickening. Light rain/snow may start in the Olympic Mountains after midnight and around Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker by morning. Rain and snow become moderate in the Olympics during the morning hours while light rain/snow spread throughout the Cascades as ridgeline winds increase into the moderate range for the Olympics, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Hood areas. Rain and snow increase in the afternoon across the region. Snow levels start below pass levels but rise to above 3500 ft during the afternoon. Easterly low-level flow may keep the Passes very slightly cooler but is not expected to maintain snow at Snoqualmie Pass level. The front passes with a shift to westerly low-level flow and WSW winds aloft, focusing a convergence on the Skagit/Watcom areas. Temperatures should drop during the evening and snow levels should drop below 3000 ft by around 7 PM as precipitation becomes more showery. The west slopes of the Cascades and passes above 3500 ft can expect 6-12" of snow by Tuesday morning with slightly more likely around Mt. Baker.

A weak trough should bring several inches of lower-density snow on Tuesday to the west slopes of the Cascades with moderate westerly downslope winds on the east slopes of the Cascades.

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
Sunday Night Cloudy with light rain and snow developing along with strong ridgeline wind gusts developing in the early morning hours.
Monday Moderate rain and snow. Strong ridgeline wind gusts.
Sunday Night Cloudy with light rain and snow developing along with strong ridgeline wind gusts developing in the early morning hours.
Monday Light rain and snow increasing to moderate or heavy by the afternoon. Strong ridgeline wind gusts.
Sunday Night High clouds lowering and thickening with a slight chance of rain/snow by morning.
Monday Light rain and snow increasing to moderate in the afternoon.
Sunday Night High clouds lowering and thickening with rain/snow developing in the early morning hours.
Monday Increasing light snow becoming moderate at Paradise, Crystal, and Mt. St. Helens.
Sunday Night High clouds lowering and thickening with a slight chance of rain/snow by morning. Light to moderate E winds at the Pass.
Monday Increasing light rain/snow. Light to moderate E winds at the Pass.
Sunday Night High clouds lowering and thickening with a slight chance of rain/snow by morning. Moderate E winds at the Pass.
Monday Increasing light rain/snow. Light to moderate E winds at the Pass.
Sunday Night High clouds lowering and thickening with a slight chance of rain/snow by morning.
Monday Increasing light rain/snow.
Sunday Night High clouds lowering and thickening with a slight chance of rain/snow by morning.
Monday Increasing light rain/snow.
Sunday Night High clouds lowering and thickening with a slight chance of rain/snow by morning.
Monday Increasing light rain/snow.
Sunday Night High clouds lowering and thickening with a chance of rain/snow by morning.
Monday Light rain/snow becoming light to moderate in the afternoon.

Issued: 2:48 PM PDT Sunday, April 17, 2022

Precipitation (in)

Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday
5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm 5 pm - 5 am 5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.10 0.75 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.10 0.75 -1.00 0.75 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Stevens Pass 0 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 0.50 0.25 LT 0.25
Paradise LT 0.10 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass 0 0.25 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass 0 LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0 0.25 LT 0.25 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 LT 0.25
Timberline 0 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.75
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Monday Night 0.75
Tuesday 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday LT 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Tuesday 0.25

Issued: 2:48 PM PDT Sunday, April 17, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

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

Issued: 2:48 PM PDT Sunday, April 17, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 32 / 26 32 / 27
West North 34 / 26 33 / 27
West Central 32 / 25 32 / 26
West South 35 / 26 34 / 28
Stevens Pass 32 / 25 34 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 31 / 25 32 / 26
East North 31 / 23 32 / 23
East Central 31 / 25 33 / 25
East South 31 / 26 35 / 27
Mt. Hood 35 / 31 37 / 31
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 26
Monday 32 / 27
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 34 / 26
Monday 33 / 27
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 25
Monday 32 / 26
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 35 / 26
Monday 34 / 28
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 32 / 25
Monday 34 / 26
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 31 / 25
Monday 32 / 26
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 31 / 23
Monday 32 / 23
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 31 / 25
Monday 33 / 25
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 31 / 26
Monday 35 / 27
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 35 / 31
Monday 37 / 31

Issued: 2:48 PM PDT Sunday, April 17, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics S 10-20 S 20-30 S 20-30 SSW 15-25
West North SSE 10-20 SSE 20-30 SSE 20-30 SSE 20-30
West Central ESE 15-25 SE 10-20 SE 15-25 SE 15-25
West South SSE 5-15 S 10-20 S 10-20 S 10-20
Stevens Pass ESE 10-20 SE 10-20 SE 15-25 SE 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass ESE 15-25 ESE 10-20 SE 15-25 SE 15-25
East North SE 10-20 SE 10-20 SE 10-20 SE 10-20
East Central SSE 5-15 SSE 10-20 SSE 15-25 S 15-25
East South SE 5-15 SE 5-15 SE 5-15 S 10-20
Mt. Hood S 15-25 SSW 15-25 SSW 20-30 SW 25-35
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening S 10-20
Sunday Night S 20-30
Monday Morning S 20-30
Monday Afternoon SSW 15-25
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSE 10-20
Sunday Night SSE 20-30
Monday Morning SSE 20-30
Monday Afternoon SSE 20-30
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening ESE 15-25
Sunday Night SE 10-20
Monday Morning SE 15-25
Monday Afternoon SE 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSE 5-15
Sunday Night S 10-20
Monday Morning S 10-20
Monday Afternoon S 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening ESE 10-20
Sunday Night SE 10-20
Monday Morning SE 15-25
Monday Afternoon SE 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening ESE 15-25
Sunday Night ESE 10-20
Monday Morning SE 15-25
Monday Afternoon SE 15-25
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SE 10-20
Sunday Night SE 10-20
Monday Morning SE 10-20
Monday Afternoon SE 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SSE 5-15
Sunday Night SSE 10-20
Monday Morning SSE 15-25
Monday Afternoon S 15-25
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening SE 5-15
Sunday Night SE 5-15
Monday Morning SE 5-15
Monday Afternoon S 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening S 15-25
Sunday Night SSW 15-25
Monday Morning SSW 20-30
Monday Afternoon SW 25-35

Issued: 2:48 PM PDT Sunday, April 17, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

Another transient high pressure mostly dries the region out Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Another deep trough offshore ushers in a frontal system which should bring increasing light to occasionally moderate rain and snow to the Olympics and southern Washington Cascades later in the day. Light to moderate bands of rain/snow continue to rotate around the offshore low Wednesday night and Thursday with a rain/snow mix likely at the lower passes, but temperatures remaining below seasonal norms throughout the period.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night Wednesday * Wednesday Night* Thursday
West North 2500' 4000' 4000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 4000' 3500' 3000'
Mt. Hood 3000' 4000' 3500' 3500'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday * 4000'
Wednesday Night* 4000'
Thursday 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday * 4000'
Wednesday Night* 3500'
Thursday 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night 3000'
Wednesday * 4000'
Wednesday Night* 3500'
Thursday 3500'

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’.