A broad region of upper-level troughing over the NW US, western Canada, and the NE Pacific maintains a pattern of scattered afternoon and evening shower activity Wednesday afternoon (into the evening) and once again Thursday afternoon (into the evening). Daily convection initiates as breaks in the cloud cover warm the surface while cool air moving into the region on a westerly flow makes these warm parcels of air unstable. Increased heating of the land with more sunshine east of the Cascades also drives increased afternoon W winds, allowing convection to focus on the west slopes of the Cascades, but drift eastward onto the east slopes as they dissipate.
The trough axis moves onshore Thursday, but its energy remains mostly to the south of our region. Temperatures remain slightly below average but continue to moderate as the trough weakens. After another cool start Thursday morning, snow levels should climb into the 3500-4000 ft range (slightly higher than on Wednesday). Any snowfall should be in the dusting to 2" range above the rain/snow line.
A transitory ridge moves into the area late Thursday night and Friday, allowing a mostly dry day with partial sunshine and temperatures approaching seasonal norms. Clouds should increase late in the day as closed low approaches the coastline and precipitation reaches the coast.
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
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers, decreasing and ending during the evening hours, then remaining mostly cloudy overnight.
Thursday
Partly cloudy early, then becoming mostly cloudy with a chance of rain/snow showers developing by the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers, decreasing and ending during the evening hours, then remaining mostly cloudy overnight.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain/snow showers developing by the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers, decreasing and ending during the evening hours, then remaining mostly cloudy overnight.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain/snow showers developing by the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers, decreasing and ending during the evening hours, then remaining mostly cloudy overnight.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain/snow showers developing by the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
A slight chance of an evening rain/snow shower, then remaining mostly cloudy. Decreasing light W wind at the Pass.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with a very slight chance of rain/snow showers developing by the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers, decreasing and ending during the evening hours, then remaining mostly cloudy overnight. Decreasing light W wind at the Pass.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain/snow showers developing by the afternoon.
Wednesday
Night
Partly cloudy.
Thursday
Partly cloudy early then becoming mostly cloudy with a very slight chance of a rain/snow shower.
Wednesday
Night
Partly to mostly clear.
Thursday
Partly cloudy early then becoming mostly cloudy with a very slight chance of a rain/snow shower.
Wednesday
Night
Partly cloudy.
Thursday
Partly cloudy early then becoming mostly cloudy with a very slight chance of a rain/snow shower.
Wednesday
Night
Light rain and snow showers, decreasing and ending during the evening hours, then remaining mostly cloudy overnight.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy scattered rain/snow showers in the afternoon. Ridgeline winds increasing into the moderate range.
Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
Thursday
Thursday Night
Friday
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
5 pm - 5 am
5 am - 5 pm
Hurricane Ridge
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
0
LT 0.10
0
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
Crystal Mt
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
Paradise
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
White Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
Washington Pass
0
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
0
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0
Timberline
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
LT 0.25
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
0
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.10
Friday
0
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Thursday Night
0
Friday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night
LT 0.10
Thursday
LT 0.10
Thursday Night
LT 0.25
Friday
0
Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Snow Level (ft)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Thursday
Evening
Thursday
Night
Friday
Morning
Friday
Afternoon
Olympics
3000'
3000'
3000'
3000'
3000'
2500'
3500'
4500'
West North
3500'
2500'
3000'
3500'
3500'
3500'
3000'
4500'
West Central
3500'
3500'
3500'
3500'
3500'
3000'
3500'
4500'
West South
4000'
3500'
3500'
4000'
3500'
3000'
3500'
5500'
Stevens Pass
3500'
3500'
3500'
5000'
3500'
3500'
3500'
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass
3500'
3500'
3500'
4000'
3500'
3000'
3500'
5500'
East North
5000'
3500'
4000'
5500'
5000'
4000'
3500'
5500'
East Central
5000'
3500'
4000'
5500'
5000'
4000'
3500'
5500'
East South
5000'
3500'
4000'
5500'
5000'
3500'
3500'
6000'
Mt. Hood
4500'
4500'
4500'
4000'
3500'
3000'
4000'
5000'
Olympics
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
3000'
Wednesday
Night
3000'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
3000'
Thursday
Evening
3000'
Thursday
Night
2500'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
4500'
West North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
3500'
Wednesday
Night
2500'
Thursday
Morning
3000'
Thursday
Afternoon
3500'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
3500'
Friday
Morning
3000'
Friday
Afternoon
4500'
West Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
3500'
Thursday
Afternoon
3500'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
3000'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
4500'
West South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
3500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
3000'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
5500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
3500'
Thursday
Afternoon
5000'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
3500'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
5000'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
3500'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
3500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
3000'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
5500'
East North
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
4000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5500'
Thursday
Evening
5000'
Thursday
Night
4000'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
5500'
East Central
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
4000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5500'
Thursday
Evening
5000'
Thursday
Night
4000'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
5500'
East South
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
4000'
Thursday
Afternoon
5500'
Thursday
Evening
5000'
Thursday
Night
3500'
Friday
Morning
3500'
Friday
Afternoon
6000'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
4500'
Thursday
Afternoon
4000'
Thursday
Evening
3500'
Thursday
Night
3000'
Friday
Morning
4000'
Friday
Afternoon
5000'
Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Wednesday, April 27, 2022
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
30 / 24
33 / 25
West North
31 / 24
33 / 25
West Central
32 / 26
34 / 26
West South
33 / 25
35 / 25
Stevens Pass
33 / 25
36 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass
32 / 25
33 / 25
East North
33 / 25
38 / 25
East Central
33 / 26
37 / 26
East South
34 / 27
38 / 27
Mt. Hood
34 / 27
36 / 27
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
30 / 24
Thursday
33 / 25
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
31 / 24
Thursday
33 / 25
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
32 / 26
Thursday
34 / 26
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
33 / 25
Thursday
35 / 25
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
33 / 25
Thursday
36 / 25
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
32 / 25
Thursday
33 / 25
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
33 / 25
Thursday
38 / 25
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
33 / 26
Thursday
37 / 26
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
34 / 27
Thursday
38 / 27
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Wednesday
Night
34 / 27
Thursday
36 / 27
Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
NNW 0-10
SW 0-10
W 0-10
W 0-10
West North
WSW 0-10
SSW 0-10
SSW 0-10
WSW 0-10
West Central
W 0-10
WSW 0-10
W 0-10
W 5-15
West South
WNW 0-10
W 0-10
W 0-10
WNW 5-15
Stevens Pass
W 5-15
W 0-10
W 0-10
WNW 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
WNW 5-15
NW 0-10
NW 0-10
WNW 10-20
East North
WNW 5-15
W 0-10
SSW 0-10
W 5-15
East Central
WNW 5-15
W 0-10
SW 0-10
WNW 5-15
East South
W 0-10
SW 0-10
NW 0-10
WNW 5-15
Mt. Hood
WSW 5-15
SW 0-10
SW 0-10
W 10-20
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
NNW
0-10
Wednesday
Night
SW
0-10
Thursday
Morning
W
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
W
0-10
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
0-10
Wednesday
Night
SSW
0-10
Thursday
Morning
SSW
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
WSW
0-10
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
W
0-10
Wednesday
Night
WSW
0-10
Thursday
Morning
W
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
W
5-15
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WNW
0-10
Wednesday
Night
W
0-10
Thursday
Morning
W
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
W
5-15
Wednesday
Night
W
0-10
Thursday
Morning
W
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
NW
0-10
Thursday
Morning
NW
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
WNW
10-20
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
W
0-10
Thursday
Morning
SSW
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
W
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WNW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
W
0-10
Thursday
Morning
SW
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
W
0-10
Wednesday
Night
SW
0-10
Thursday
Morning
NW
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
WNW
5-15
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday
Evening
WSW
5-15
Wednesday
Night
SW
0-10
Thursday
Morning
SW
0-10
Thursday
Afternoon
W
10-20
Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Extended Weather Synopsis
The closed low spreads rain/snow showers throughout the region Friday night with the low moving onshore on Saturday. The European model and ensembles suggest the low will move onshore over Oregon while the GFS suggests the low makes landfall over Washington State. Either way, Mt. Hood stands likely to pick up around 0.5" of water equivalent, but the track of the low will determine whether parts of southern Washington pick up similar amounts. The low won't be as cold as systems earlier in the month with 4500-5500 ft snow levels. Rain/snow showers should dissipate during the evening hours on Saturday as the low exits the region and another transitory ridge brings fair weather and seasonable temperatures on Sunday.
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).