Issued: 2:19 PM PDT Thursday, April 21, 2022
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

Scattered convective showers pepper the radar this afternoon, with the bulk of the action focussed along the west slopes of the Cascades near and south of Mt Rainier. As we head into the evening hours, precipitation will slowly diminish. If you happen to find yourself under one of these small showers, you could see a half an inch of snow quickly accumulate. For most locations, Thursday night should remain dry as the sky starts to clear. You could see some low-level clouds and even a bit of valley fog develop.

On Friday, lingering low-level moisture and daytime warming will cause clouds to start to gather and build. This will be most notable near and west of the crest, but even locations along the east slopes of the Cascades will see scattered puffy clouds. Late in the afternoon some of these clouds could turn into isolated rain and snow showers. Due to the spotty nature of this type of afternoon convective precipitation, some locations may not see any rain and snow, while others experience periods of short-lived moderate showers. Expect gusty winds along with this pattern, especially in and around these cells of precipitation. 

While a few stray showers could linger into Friday evening, a high-pressure ridge building over the area should cause the region to dry out and our skies to start to clear. Low clouds and valley fog will be common overnight and into the early morning. However, with drier air pushing into the northwest, Saturday should become mostly sunny all across the Olympics and Cascades. Even though freezing levels only rise slightly with this pattern, warmer air at lower elevations could cause trailhead temperatures to jump significantly. 

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
Thursday Night Isolated showers in the evening with clearing overnight. Low clouds and fog developing.
Friday Partly to mostly cloudy. Isolated convective showers possible in the afternoon.
Thursday Night Isolated showers possible in the evening, then drying. Low clouds and fog developing.
Friday Partly to mostly cloudy, with significant sun breaks. Isolated convective showers in the afternoon.
Thursday Night Isolated showers possible in the evening, then drying. Low clouds and fog developing.
Friday Partly to mostly cloudy with significant sun breaks. Isolated convective showers in the afternoon.
Thursday Night Isolated showers possible in the evening, then drying. Becoming partly to mostly cloudy.
Friday Partly to mostly cloudy with significant sun breaks. Isolated convective showers in the afternoon. NW winds becoming moderate.
Thursday Night Isolated showers possible in the evening, then drying. Low clouds and fog developing. Light westerly winds.
Friday Partly to mostly cloudy with significant sun breaks. A few sprinkles possible in the afternoon. Light WNW winds becoming moderate.
Thursday Night Isolated showers possible in the evening, then drying. Low clouds and fog developing. Light westerly winds becoming moderate.
Friday Partly to mostly cloudy with significant sun breaks. A few sprinkles possible in the afternoon. Light to moderate WNW winds increasing.
Thursday Night Isolated showers near the crest. Then mostly clear with low clouds and valley fog possible.
Friday Partly cloudy to mostly sunny. A few stray showers possible near the crest in the afternoon. Light to moderate NW winds.
Thursday Night A few stray showers possible near the crest. Mostly clear with some low clouds and fog. Light to moderate W winds decreasing slightly.
Friday Mostly sunny with scattered clouds in the afternoon. Light to moderate NW winds.
Thursday Night A few stray showers possible near the crest. Mostly clear with some low clouds and fog possible. Light to moderate W winds decreasing.
Friday Mostly sunny with scattered clouds in the afternoon. Light NW winds becoming moderate.
Thursday Night Mostly cloudy with a few isolated showers possible in the evening.
Friday Partly to mostly cloudy with sun breaks. Isolated showers possible in the afternoon. Light to moderate NW winds increasing.

Precipitation (in)

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

Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Evening Thursday Night Friday Morning Friday Afternoon Friday Evening Friday Night Saturday Morning Saturday Afternoon
Olympics 4000' 3500' 4000' 4500' 5000' 4500' 5000' 5500'
West North 3500' 3500' 4000' 4500' 4500' 3500' 4500' 5500'
West Central 4000' 3500' 4000' 4500' 4500' 3500' 4500' 5500'
West South 4000' 3500' 4500' 5000' 4500' 4000' 5000' 6000'
Stevens Pass 4000' 3000' 3500' 4500' 4500' 3500' 4500' 5500'
Snoqualmie Pass 4000' 3000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4000' 4500' 5500'
East North 3500' 3000' 4000' 5000' 5000' 4000' 5000' 6500'
East Central 4000' 3000' 4500' 5000' 5000' 4000' 5000' 6500'
East South 4500' 3500' 4500' 5000' 5000' 4500' 5000' 6500'
Mt. Hood 4500' 4000' 4500' 5000' 5000' 4500' 5000' 6500'
Olympics Elevation
Thursday Evening 4000'
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday Morning 4000'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
Friday Evening 5000'
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday Morning 5000'
Saturday Afternoon 5500'
West North Elevation
Thursday Evening 3500'
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday Morning 4000'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
Friday Evening 4500'
Friday Night 3500'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 5500'
West Central Elevation
Thursday Evening 4000'
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday Morning 4000'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
Friday Evening 4500'
Friday Night 3500'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 5500'
West South Elevation
Thursday Evening 4000'
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Friday Evening 4500'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday Morning 5000'
Saturday Afternoon 6000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Thursday Evening 4000'
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday Morning 3500'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
Friday Evening 4500'
Friday Night 3500'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 5500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Evening 4000'
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday Morning 4000'
Friday Afternoon 4500'
Friday Evening 4500'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday Morning 4500'
Saturday Afternoon 5500'
East North Elevation
Thursday Evening 3500'
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday Morning 4000'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Friday Evening 5000'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday Morning 5000'
Saturday Afternoon 6500'
East Central Elevation
Thursday Evening 4000'
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Friday Evening 5000'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday Morning 5000'
Saturday Afternoon 6500'
East South Elevation
Thursday Evening 4500'
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Friday Evening 5000'
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday Morning 5000'
Saturday Afternoon 6500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Evening 4500'
Thursday Night 4000'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Friday Evening 5000'
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday Morning 5000'
Saturday Afternoon 6500'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Thursday Night Friday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 32 / 25 34 / 22
West North 31 / 24 34 / 22
West Central 30 / 26 33 / 21
West South 31 / 24 37 / 21
Stevens Pass 31 / 23 36 / 22
Snoqualmie Pass 30 / 25 34 / 22
East North 32 / 22 38 / 24
East Central 32 / 25 37 / 24
East South 31 / 24 38 / 24
Mt. Hood 34 / 26 38 / 26
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 32 / 25
Friday 34 / 22
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 31 / 24
Friday 34 / 22
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 30 / 26
Friday 33 / 21
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 31 / 24
Friday 37 / 21
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 31 / 23
Friday 36 / 22
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 30 / 25
Friday 34 / 22
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 32 / 22
Friday 38 / 24
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 32 / 25
Friday 37 / 24
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 31 / 24
Friday 38 / 24
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Thursday Night 34 / 26
Friday 38 / 26

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Thursday Evening Thursday Night Friday Morning Friday Afternoon
Olympics VAR 0-10 VAR 0-10 W 0-10 W 5-15
West North SW 0-10 W 0-10 NW 0-10 NW 5-15
West Central SW 0-10 WNW 5-15 NW 5-15 NW 5-15
West South W 0-10 WNW 5-15 NW 5-15 NW 10-20
Stevens Pass W 5-15 WNW 5-15 WNW 5-15 WNW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass W 5-15 WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20 WNW 15-25
East North W 5-15 NW 5-15 NW 10-20 NW 10-20
East Central W 10-20 WNW 5-15 NW 10-20 NW 10-20
East South W 10-20 WNW 5-15 NW 5-15 NW 10-20
Mt. Hood W 5-15 WNW 5-15 WNW 10-20 NW 15-25
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening VAR 0-10
Thursday Night VAR 0-10
Friday Morning W 0-10
Friday Afternoon W 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening SW 0-10
Thursday Night W 0-10
Friday Morning NW 0-10
Friday Afternoon NW 5-15
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening SW 0-10
Thursday Night WNW 5-15
Friday Morning NW 5-15
Friday Afternoon NW 5-15
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening W 0-10
Thursday Night WNW 5-15
Friday Morning NW 5-15
Friday Afternoon NW 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening W 5-15
Thursday Night WNW 5-15
Friday Morning WNW 5-15
Friday Afternoon WNW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening W 5-15
Thursday Night WNW 10-20
Friday Morning WNW 10-20
Friday Afternoon WNW 15-25
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening W 5-15
Thursday Night NW 5-15
Friday Morning NW 10-20
Friday Afternoon NW 10-20
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening W 10-20
Thursday Night WNW 5-15
Friday Morning NW 10-20
Friday Afternoon NW 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening W 10-20
Thursday Night WNW 5-15
Friday Morning NW 5-15
Friday Afternoon NW 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Thursday Evening W 5-15
Thursday Night WNW 5-15
Friday Morning WNW 10-20
Friday Afternoon NW 15-25

Extended Weather Synopsis

A high-pressure ridge passing over the Pacific Northwest should keep us dry through most of the weekend. Freezing levels and temperatures will peak during the day on Sunday. However, an approaching storm will begin to spread clouds over the region by early afternoon. For most locations, any rain and snow should hold off until the evening hours. The storm will arrive Sunday night into Monday. At the moment, weather models disagree significantly about the strength of this system and how big of a precipitation event will be. We'll keep an eye on this storm over the next few days. 

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Night Sunday Sunday Night Monday
West North 5000' 6000' 4000' 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' 6500' 5000' 4500'
Mt. Hood 6500' 7500' 5500' 5500'
West North Elevation
Saturday Night 5000'
Sunday 6000'
Sunday Night 4000'
Monday 3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Night 5000'
Sunday 6500'
Sunday Night 5000'
Monday 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Night 6500'
Sunday 7500'
Sunday Night 5500'
Monday 5500'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 20, 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’.