Issued: 2:47 PM PDT Monday, April 1, 2024
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

A ridge shifting across the region will be centered over the Pacific Northwest Monday night. The ridge is responsible for dry weather, with thin mid-level clouds passing over northern portions of the forecast region at times. Ridgeline winds shift from NW to W as the ridge begins to flatten.

The ridge shifts eastward on Tuesday, but increasing SW winds ahead of an incoming system will bring the mildest day of the week to the Pacific Northwest despite the subtle cooling aloft. Temperatures will be particularly warm east of the Cascades. Moderate ridgeline winds develop for the Olympics and Mt Baker as the day progresses.

Tuesday night, precipitation and cooling arrive as a sharp SSW-NNE-oriented front progresses through the Olympics in the evening and the Cascades overnight. Precipitation favors the mountain loop through Mt Baker, where we expect 0.5-0.75" of water equivalent through Wednesday with local convergence enhancement the Mountain Loop. Other areas generally pick up less than 0.3" of water equivalent. Temperatures drop rapidly as the precipitation arrives, so expect a transition from snow to rain and snow levels dropping to 2000-3000 ft by early Wednesday. Shower activity tapers by the afternoon as sun breaks become more frequent across the west slopes of the Cascades. Expect more widespread clearing east 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
Monday Night Night: Mild with periods of high clouds.
Tuesday Mild. Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds lower and thicken in the afternoon.
Monday Night Night: Mild with periods of high clouds.
Tuesday Mild. Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds lower and thicken in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds develop and may become strong by the end of the day.
Monday Night Night: Mild with periods of high clouds.
Tuesday Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds lower and thicken in the afternoon.
Monday Night Night: Mild with periods of high clouds.
Tuesday Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds lower and thicken in the afternoon.
Monday Night Mild with periods of high clouds. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds lower and thicken in the afternoon. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Mild with periods of high clouds. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds lower and thicken in the afternoon. Light ridgeline and W wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Mild with periods of high clouds. Weak inversion develops overnight.
Tuesday Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds increase in the afternoon.
Monday Night Night: Mild with periods of high clouds.
Tuesday Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds increase in the afternoon.
Monday Night Night: Mild with periods of high clouds.
Tuesday Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds increase in the afternoon.
Monday Night Night: Mild with periods of high clouds.
Tuesday Mild. Periods of high clouds in the morning, then clouds increase in the afternoon. Moderate winds may develop late in the day.

Precipitation (in)

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

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics 10000' 10000' 9500' 8500' 5000' 2500' 1500' 2000'
West North 9000' 9500' 8500' 8000' 6000' 3500' 2000' 2500'
West Central 9500' 10500' 10000' 8500' 6500' 4000' 2000' 2500'
West South 10500' 11000' 10500' 9500' 7500' 4000' 2500' 3000'
Stevens Pass 10500' 10500' 10000' 9000' 7500' 4000' 2000' 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass 10500' 11000' 10000' 9500' 7500' 4000' 2000' 3000'
East North 9500' 10000' 9000' 9000' 7000' 4000' 2000' 3500'
East Central 11000' 11000' 10500' 9500' 8000' 4500' 2500' 3500'
East South 11500' 11000' 11000' 10500' 8500' 4500' 2500' 4000'
Mt. Hood 11000' 11000' 11000' 10500' 8500' 4500' 3000' 3500'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening 10000'
Monday Night 10000'
Tuesday Morning 9500'
Tuesday Afternoon 8500'
Tuesday Evening 5000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 1500'
Wednesday Afternoon 2000'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening 9000'
Monday Night 9500'
Tuesday Morning 8500'
Tuesday Afternoon 8000'
Tuesday Evening 6000'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday Morning 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening 9500'
Monday Night 10500'
Tuesday Morning 10000'
Tuesday Afternoon 8500'
Tuesday Evening 6500'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon 2500'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening 10500'
Monday Night 11000'
Tuesday Morning 10500'
Tuesday Afternoon 9500'
Tuesday Evening 7500'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 3000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 10500'
Monday Night 10500'
Tuesday Morning 10000'
Tuesday Afternoon 9000'
Tuesday Evening 7500'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 10500'
Monday Night 11000'
Tuesday Morning 10000'
Tuesday Afternoon 9500'
Tuesday Evening 7500'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon 3000'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening 9500'
Monday Night 10000'
Tuesday Morning 9000'
Tuesday Afternoon 9000'
Tuesday Evening 7000'
Tuesday Night 4000'
Wednesday Morning 2000'
Wednesday Afternoon 3500'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening 11000'
Monday Night 11000'
Tuesday Morning 10500'
Tuesday Afternoon 9500'
Tuesday Evening 8000'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 3500'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening 11500'
Monday Night 11000'
Tuesday Morning 11000'
Tuesday Afternoon 10500'
Tuesday Evening 8500'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 4000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening 11000'
Monday Night 11000'
Tuesday Morning 11000'
Tuesday Afternoon 10500'
Tuesday Evening 8500'
Tuesday Night 4500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 3500'

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 45 / 40 34 / 39
West North 42 / 38 45 / 37
West Central 42 / 38 47 / 38
West South 47 / 39 54 / 41
Stevens Pass 44 / 37 52 / 41
Snoqualmie Pass 42 / 37 49 / 40
East North 45 / 33 51 / 41
East Central 46 / 41 53 / 42
East South 49 / 42 55 / 44
Mt. Hood 48 / 42 58 / 45
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 45 / 40
Tuesday 34 / 39
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 38
Tuesday 45 / 37
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 38
Tuesday 47 / 38
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 47 / 39
Tuesday 54 / 41
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 44 / 37
Tuesday 52 / 41
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 42 / 37
Tuesday 49 / 40
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 45 / 33
Tuesday 51 / 41
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 46 / 41
Tuesday 53 / 42
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 49 / 42
Tuesday 55 / 44
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 48 / 42
Tuesday 58 / 45

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics WSW 0-10 SW 10-20 SW 10-20 SW 10-20
West North SW 5-15 SSW 5-15 SSW 15-25 SSW 20-30
West Central WNW 5-15 WSW 5-15 SW 10-20 SW 10-20
West South NW 0-10 W 0-10 SW 5-15 SW 10-20
Stevens Pass WNW 5-15 WSW 0-10 WSW 5-15 WSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass NW 10-20 WNW 5-15 WSW 5-15 WSW 5-15
East North WNW 10-20 WSW 5-15 SW 10-20 SW 15-25
East Central NW 10-20 W 5-15 WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20
East South NW 5-15 WNW 0-10 WSW 5-15 WSW 10-20
Mt. Hood NW 10-20 NW 5-15 W 5-15 SW 10-20
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WSW 0-10
Monday Night SW 10-20
Tuesday Morning SW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening SW 5-15
Monday Night SSW 5-15
Tuesday Morning SSW 15-25
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 20-30
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 5-15
Monday Night WSW 5-15
Tuesday Morning SW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 10-20
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening NW 0-10
Monday Night W 0-10
Tuesday Morning SW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon SW 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 5-15
Monday Night WSW 0-10
Tuesday Morning WSW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening NW 10-20
Monday Night WNW 5-15
Tuesday Morning WSW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 5-15
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening WNW 10-20
Monday Night WSW 5-15
Tuesday Morning SW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 15-25
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening NW 10-20
Monday Night W 5-15
Tuesday Morning WSW 10-20
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening NW 5-15
Monday Night WNW 0-10
Tuesday Morning WSW 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 10-20
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Monday Evening NW 10-20
Monday Night NW 5-15
Tuesday Morning W 5-15
Tuesday Afternoon SW 10-20

Extended Weather Synopsis

A cool trough drifts southward just off the Pacific Northwest coastline, keeping slightly unsettled weather with scattered rain/snow showers along with cooler-than-normal temperatures over the region through the end of the week.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night Thursday Thursday Night Friday
West North 1500' 3000' 3000' 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass 2000' 3000' 2500' 3000'
Mt. Hood 2500' 2500' 2000' 3000'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night 1500'
Thursday 3000'
Thursday Night 3000'
Friday 4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night 2000'
Thursday 3000'
Thursday Night 2500'
Friday 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night 2500'
Thursday 2500'
Thursday Night 2000'
Friday 3000'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 1, 2024

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’.