Issued: 3:02 PM PDT Tuesday, April 26, 2022
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

A trough rotating around a relatively stationary upper-level low pressure centered over Haida Gwaii brings light rain/snow showers to the mountains of western Washington Saturday afternoon, with some minor spillover of moisture onto the east slopes of the Cascades. Widespread shower activity should diminish during the evening hours.  Expect moderate W winds near and E of the Cascade Crest during the evening hours. This uptick in W winds as the trough exits should increasingly focus rain/snow on a convergence band setting up somewhere between Stevens Pass and Mt. Baker. The convergence should continue into early Wednesday morning and could bring 2-5" snowfall amounts to the Mountain Loop while other parts of the west slopes of the Cascades generally pick up 1-2" above the 3000-3500 ft rain/snow line which lowers further as the night progresses.

Light W winds behind the trough combined a very week upper-level disturbance should maintain mostly cloudy skies and cool temperatures on Wednesday. The cool temperatures aloft may be enough to instigate some isolated rain/snow showers in the afternoon. Even favored areas can expect generally less than 1" of snowfall above 3000-3500 ft. Downslope flow along the east slopes of the Cascades should allow for some partial sunshine with freezing levels to rising to around 5000 ft during the afternoon.

A trough consolidates offshore should Wednesday night while the Pacific Northwest remains mostly dry Wednesday night and Thursday morning. As the trough moves onshore it brings more energy to southern Oregon, but expect isolated rain/snow showers to turn up again in the afternoon. Snow levels should rise to around 4000 ft.

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 A chance of rain/snow showers in the evening, mainly on the windward slopes of the Olympics. Partial clearing overnight.
Wednesday Partly cloudy in the morning with clouds and scattered rain/snow showers building in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light rain and snow showers in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy with a chance of a stray rain/snow shower overnight.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with increasing chances for isolated rain/snow showers during the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light to moderate rain/snow and convergence focusing on the mountain loop region. Convergence becoming light and narrow overnight, likely focusing on Snohomish county.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with isolated rain/snow showers.
Tuesday Night Light rain/snow showers in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy with a stray rain/snow shower possible overnight.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain/snow showers in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light rain/snow at the southern edge of a convergence zone in the evening hours, becoming mostly cloudy overnight. Light W wind at the Pass.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with some sun breaks in the morning. Isolated light rain/snow showers in the afternoon. Light W wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Night Scattered light rain/snow becoming isolated overnight. Light W wind at the Pass.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with some sun breaks in the morning. Isolated light rain/snow showers in the afternoon. Isolated light W wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Night Light rain/snow showers in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy.
Wednesday Partly cloudy in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with a very slight chance of a rain/snow shower in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light rain/snow showers in the evening near the Cascade Crest, then becoming partly cloudy.
Wednesday Partly cloudy in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with a very slight chance of a rain/snow shower in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Light rain/snow showers in the evening near the Cascade Crest, then becoming partly cloudy.
Wednesday Partly cloudy.
Tuesday Night Scattered light rain/snow showers in the evening, becoming isolated overnight.
Wednesday Mostly cloudy with a chance of isolated rain/snow showers.

Issued: 3:02 PM PDT Tuesday, April 26, 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 0 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.25 LT 0.10 0 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 0
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25
Paradise LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25
White Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Washington Pass LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Timberline LT 0.25 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
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
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.10

Issued: 3:02 PM PDT Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Snow Level (ft)

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

Issued: 3:02 PM PDT Tuesday, April 26, 2022

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Tuesday Night Wednesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 28 / 21 30 / 21
West North 30 / 21 29 / 20
West Central 30 / 23 30 / 23
West South 31 / 23 33 / 23
Stevens Pass 32 / 24 33 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 30 / 24 31 / 24
East North 32 / 19 34 / 19
East Central 32 / 21 33 / 21
East South 32 / 23 35 / 23
Mt. Hood 32 / 26 35 / 26
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 28 / 21
Wednesday 30 / 21
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 30 / 21
Wednesday 29 / 20
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 30 / 23
Wednesday 30 / 23
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 31 / 23
Wednesday 33 / 23
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 24
Wednesday 33 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 30 / 24
Wednesday 31 / 24
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 19
Wednesday 34 / 19
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 21
Wednesday 33 / 21
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 23
Wednesday 35 / 23
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Tuesday Night 32 / 26
Wednesday 35 / 26

Issued: 3:02 PM PDT Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 3:02 PM PDT Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Extended Weather Synopsis

Light rain/snow showers dissipate early Thursday evening, then subtle ridging keeps the region Mostly dry on Friday. An upper-level low moving toward the coast Friday night should bring some light rain/snow after midnight and light to occasionally moderate rain/snow showers with the low moving onshore by Saturday afternoon. Temperatures should remain slightly below seasonal norms throughout the forecast period.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Thursday Night Friday Friday Night Saturday
West North 4000' 4000' 4000' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 4500' 5500' 4000'
Mt. Hood 3500' 4500' 5500' 5000'
West North Elevation
Thursday Night 4000'
Friday 4000'
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday 4500'
Friday Night 5500'
Saturday 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night 3500'
Friday 4500'
Friday Night 5500'
Saturday 5000'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 25, 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’.