Issued: 3:22 PM PDT Saturday, April 23, 2022
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

Wow, what a nice and generally sunny day across the Pacific Northwest! A high-pressure ridge should keep us warm and dry through at least Sunday afternoon. Overnight, mostly clear skies and light winds will allow temperature inversions to form in many of the mountain valleys and passes. So, while some trailhead elevations dip below freezing, mid-mountain sites could stay noticeably warmer. Patchy fog may form near a few rivers and lakes but doesn't look common going into Sunday morning.

After a chilly start to the day, expect conditions to quickly warm. Many sites could easily see temperatures in the upper 40s or even 50 degrees. A few passing high clouds likely won't be enough to really curb the influence of the strong April sun. As a result, Sunday looks like another beautiful day in the mountains. By late afternoon, clouds will start to increase for locations like the Olympics and North Cascades. These clouds herald the approach of our next storm that will start to spread precipitation into the mountains overnight. 

A well-developed low-pressure system will impact the region Sunday night and into Monday. While most of the moisture pushes into Canada, sites north of Hwy 2 could see a descent pulse of precipitation. For areas further south and east, this storm will primarily bring cloudy skies, increasing winds, and just a few showers. Due to the recent warm weather, most locations will start as rain. However, a trailing cold front will bring snow levels down slowly on Monday helping return snow to at least some of our mountain locations. 

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 clear with passing high clouds, with temperature inversions possible. . Winds becoming SSW light to moderate.
Sunday Mostly sunny with periods of high clouds. Becoming overcast in the afternoon, with a few showers possible in the western Olympics. Light to moderate SSW winds increasing.
Saturday Night Mostly clear with passing high clouds, with temperature inversions possible.
Sunday Mostly sunny with periods of high clouds. Becoming overcast late in the day. Moderate S winds.
Saturday Night Mostly clear with passing high clouds, with temperature inversions possible.
Sunday Mostly sunny with periods of high clouds. Becoming overcast late in the day. Light to moderate S winds.
Saturday Night Mostly clear with passing high clouds, with temperature inversions possible.
Sunday Mostly sunny, with periods of high clouds. Winds becoming SW light to moderate.
Saturday Night Mostly clear with temperature inversions. Light E flow developing.
Sunday Mostly sunny with passing high clouds. Clouds increasing late in the day. Light SE winds.
Saturday Night Mostly clear with temperature inversions. Light E flow developing.
Sunday Mostly sunny with passing high clouds. Clouds increasing late in the day. Light SE winds becoming moderate.
Saturday Night Mostly clear with passing high clouds, with temperature inversions possible.
Sunday Mostly sunny with some high clouds. S winds becoming light to moderate.
Saturday Night Mostly clear with passing high clouds, with temperature inversions possible.
Sunday Mostly sunny with some high clouds. S winds becoming light to moderate.
Saturday Night Mostly clear with passing high clouds, with temperature inversions possible.
Sunday Mostly sunny with some high clouds. Light to moderate SW winds
Saturday Night Mostly clear with passing high clouds, with temperature inversions possible.
Sunday Mostly sunny with some high clouds. Winds becoming SW light to moderate.

Issued: 3:22 PM PDT Saturday, April 23, 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 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 0 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 0.25
Stevens Pass 0 0 0 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Paradise 0 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
White Pass 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Timberline 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday 0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10

Issued: 3:22 PM PDT Saturday, April 23, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

Saturday Evening Saturday Night* Sunday Morning* Sunday Afternoon* Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics 6500' 6500' 6500' 6000' 5500' 4500' 4000' 4000'
West North 5500' 5000' 6000' 7000' 6500' 5000' 4500' 4500'
West Central 6000' 5500' 6500' 7500' 7000' 5500' 5000' 5000'
West South 6000' 5500' 7000' 7500' 7000' 5500' 5500' 5000'
Stevens Pass 6000' 5000' 6500' 7500' 7000' 5500' 5500' 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass 6000' 5000' 7000' 7500' 7000' 5500' 5000' 5000'
East North 5500' 5000' 6500' 7500' 7000' 6000' 5500' 5500'
East Central 6500' 5500' 7000' 7500' 7500' 6000' 5500' 5500'
East South 6500' 5500' 7000' 8000' 7500' 6000' 5500' 5500'
Mt. Hood 7500' 7000' 8000' 8000' 8000' 6500' 5500' 5500'
Olympics Elevation
Saturday Evening 6500'
Saturday Night* 6500'
Sunday Morning* 6500'
Sunday Afternoon* 6000'
Sunday Evening 5500'
Sunday Night 4500'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
West North Elevation
Saturday Evening 5500'
Saturday Night* 5000'
Sunday Morning* 6000'
Sunday Afternoon* 7000'
Sunday Evening 6500'
Sunday Night 5000'
Monday Morning 4500'
Monday Afternoon 4500'
West Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 6000'
Saturday Night* 5500'
Sunday Morning* 6500'
Sunday Afternoon* 7500'
Sunday Evening 7000'
Sunday Night 5500'
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
West South Elevation
Saturday Evening 6000'
Saturday Night* 5500'
Sunday Morning* 7000'
Sunday Afternoon* 7500'
Sunday Evening 7000'
Sunday Night 5500'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 6000'
Saturday Night* 5000'
Sunday Morning* 6500'
Sunday Afternoon* 7500'
Sunday Evening 7000'
Sunday Night 5500'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening 6000'
Saturday Night* 5000'
Sunday Morning* 7000'
Sunday Afternoon* 7500'
Sunday Evening 7000'
Sunday Night 5500'
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 5000'
East North Elevation
Saturday Evening 5500'
Saturday Night* 5000'
Sunday Morning* 6500'
Sunday Afternoon* 7500'
Sunday Evening 7000'
Sunday Night 6000'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
East Central Elevation
Saturday Evening 6500'
Saturday Night* 5500'
Sunday Morning* 7000'
Sunday Afternoon* 7500'
Sunday Evening 7500'
Sunday Night 6000'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
East South Elevation
Saturday Evening 6500'
Saturday Night* 5500'
Sunday Morning* 7000'
Sunday Afternoon* 8000'
Sunday Evening 7500'
Sunday Night 6000'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening 7500'
Saturday Night* 7000'
Sunday Morning* 8000'
Sunday Afternoon* 8000'
Sunday Evening 8000'
Sunday Night 6500'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'

Issued: 3:22 PM PDT Saturday, April 23, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Saturday Night Sunday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 44 / 30 48 / 30
West North 41 / 32 46 / 32
West Central 42 / 30 50 / 30
West South 41 / 29 50 / 30
Stevens Pass 41 / 28 48 / 28
Snoqualmie Pass 41 / 28 50 / 30
East North 39 / 25 43 / 25
East Central 42 / 30 48 / 30
East South 41 / 32 48 / 27
Mt. Hood 40 / 32 48 / 32
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 44 / 30
Sunday 48 / 30
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 41 / 32
Sunday 46 / 32
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 42 / 30
Sunday 50 / 30
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 41 / 29
Sunday 50 / 30
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 41 / 28
Sunday 48 / 28
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 41 / 28
Sunday 50 / 30
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 39 / 25
Sunday 43 / 25
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 42 / 30
Sunday 48 / 30
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 41 / 32
Sunday 48 / 27
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Saturday Night 40 / 32
Sunday 48 / 32

Issued: 3:22 PM PDT Saturday, April 23, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 3:22 PM PDT Saturday, April 23, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

The low-pressure system seems to stall off the coast of British Columbia Monday and lose steam. Instead of pushing inland, it just sits and spins additional short-wave systems into the Northwest. Organized rounds of precipitation appear to arrive Tuesday and Wednesday in the region. This time, colder temperatures should help these storms mainly produce snow in the mountains. While there's still plenty of uncertainty with these subtle waves of precipitation, we seem to be in for an active pattern through at least the mid part of the week.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Monday Night Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
West North 3500' 3000' 2500' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 4000' 3500' 2500' 2500'
Mt. Hood 4500' 3500' 3000' 3000'
West North Elevation
Monday Night 3500'
Tuesday 3000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night 4000'
Tuesday 3500'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night 4500'
Tuesday 3500'
Tuesday Night 3000'
Wednesday 3000'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 23, 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’.