Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Sunday, April 14, 2024
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

The Pacific Northwest is in store for a sharp shift from the above normal temperatures of the last 5 days. A broad trough gradually approaches from British Columbia Sunday evening through Tuesday. In the process, upper-level W winds develop, with low-level support from a significant W to E pressure gradient across the Cascades. Winds increased into the low 20 mph range at Snoqualmie Pass on Sunday afternoon as a result of the pressure gradient from Seattle to Wenatchee reaching 8 MB. This pressure gradient should remain elevated in the 8-10 mb range through Monday evening. The result will be rapidly cooling temperatures Sunday night and early Monday, along with moderate winds through the mountain gaps and along the east slopes of the Cascades.

The approaching trough will also provide enough lift/moisture to bring in plenty of low clouds. Most of the precipitation get wrung out by weak convergence bands forming off Vancouver Island and the Olympics. The former should impact the Mt Baker and the Skagit Valley. The latter should impact the mountain loop south to Snoqualmie. Activity generally starts very light early Monday morning and increases through the day with 3000-4000 ft snow levels. Precipitation peaks with some locally light to moderate precipitation rates Monday evening, before gradually easing into Tuesday morning. Expect a 10-25% chance of weak Thurnderstorms or thunder snow showers with the cold air aloft on Tuesday from the central Cascades northward, particularly during the afternoon hours, but any cells should be isolated with snow levels around 2500 ft.

7am Mountain Weather Forecasts will continue through Sunday, April 14th. Beginning Monday, April 15th, we will issue 230pm Mountain Weather Forecasts every day through Sunday, April 28th. 

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
Sunday Night High clouds with increasing lower clouds along the west slopes.
Monday Much cooler. Mostly cloudy with a chance of very light rain or snow mainly western slopes.
Sunday Night High clouds with increasing low cloud banking up along the western slopes after midnight.
Monday Much cooler. Increasing light rain and snow showers.
Sunday Night High clouds with increasing low cloud banking up along the western slopes after midnight with a slight chance of light rain or snow in the early morning hours.
Monday Much cooler. Increasing light rain/snow showers and weak convergence.
Sunday Night High clouds with increasing low cloud banking up along the western slopes after midnight. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds through mountain gaps. Moderate or strong ridgeline winds at times near the Cascade Crest.
Monday Much cooler. Mostly cloudy with very light rain or snow showers possible in the western foothills. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds through the mountain gaps. Moderate or strong ridgeline winds at times near the Cascade Crest.
Sunday Night High clouds with increasing low cloud in the early morning hours. Light to moderate ridgeline winds and W winds at the Pass. Much cooler. Increasing light rain/snow showers and weak convergence. Light to moderate ridgeline winds and W winds at the Pass.
Monday Much cooler. Increasing light rain/snow showers and weak convergence. Light to moderate ridgeline winds and W winds at the Pass.
Sunday Night High clouds with increasing low cloud in the early morning hours. Moderate ridgeline winds and W winds at the Pass.
Monday Much cooler. Increasing light rain/snow showers and weak convergence. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds and moderate W winds at the Pass.
Sunday Night High clouds with a few low clouds by morning. Increasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Much cooler. Partly cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night High clouds with a few low clouds by morning. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Much cooler. Partly cloudy with a few rain/snow showers closer to the Cascade Crest. Moderate ridgeline winds and strong gusts.
Sunday Night High clouds with a few low clouds by morning. Light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Much cooler. Partly cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Sunday Night High clouds with low clouds banking up against the western side of the mountain. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Much cooler. Mostly cloudy western part with a few very light rain or snow showers. Partly cloudy east of the mountain. Moderate ridgeline winds with strong gusts.

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Sunday, April 14, 2024

Precipitation (in)

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

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Sunday, April 14, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon
Olympics 8500' 7000' 3500' 4000' 3500' 2500' 3000' 3500'
West North 8000' 6000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500'
West Central 8000' 6500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500'
West South 9000' 7000' 4000' 4500' 3500' 2000' 2000' 2500'
Stevens Pass 9000' 7000' 3500' 3500' 3500' 2000' 20000' 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass 8500' 6500' 3000' 3500' 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500'
East North 9000' 6500' 5000' 5500' 4000' 2500' 2000' 2500'
East Central 10000' 9000' 5500' 5500' 3500' 2500' 2000' 4000'
East South 10500' 9000' 5500' 5500' 4500' 3000' 2500' 4500'
Mt. Hood 9500' 7500' 4500' 3500' 3500' 3000' 3000' 4500'
Olympics Elevation
Sunday Evening 8500'
Sunday Night 7000'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 4000'
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
West North Elevation
Sunday Evening 8000'
Sunday Night 6000'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
West Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 8000'
Sunday Night 6500'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3000'
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
West South Elevation
Sunday Evening 9000'
Sunday Night 7000'
Monday Morning 4000'
Monday Afternoon 4500'
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 9000'
Sunday Night 7000'
Monday Morning 3500'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 20000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening 8500'
Sunday Night 6500'
Monday Morning 3000'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
East North Elevation
Sunday Evening 9000'
Sunday Night 6500'
Monday Morning 5000'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
Monday Evening 4000'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
East Central Elevation
Sunday Evening 10000'
Sunday Night 9000'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4000'
East South Elevation
Sunday Evening 10500'
Sunday Night 9000'
Monday Morning 5500'
Monday Afternoon 5500'
Monday Evening 4500'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening 9500'
Sunday Night 7500'
Monday Morning 4500'
Monday Afternoon 3500'
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday Morning 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Sunday, April 14, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Sunday Night Monday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 43 / 28 32 / 26
West North 42 / 29 32 / 28
West Central 42 / 27 31 / 27
West South 46 / 28 38 / 27
Stevens Pass 43 / 29 32 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass 41 / 29 31 / 29
East North 44 / 29 35 / 27
East Central 44 / 33 35 / 31
East South 46 / 33 40 / 31
Mt. Hood 35 / 32 38 / 31
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 43 / 28
Monday 32 / 26
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 42 / 29
Monday 32 / 28
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 42 / 27
Monday 31 / 27
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 46 / 28
Monday 38 / 27
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 43 / 29
Monday 32 / 29
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 41 / 29
Monday 31 / 29
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 44 / 29
Monday 35 / 27
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 44 / 33
Monday 35 / 31
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 46 / 33
Monday 40 / 31
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Sunday Night 35 / 32
Monday 38 / 31

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Sunday, April 14, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Sunday Evening Sunday Night Monday Morning Monday Afternoon
Olympics W 5-15 W 5-15 WSW 0-10 W 5-15
West North WSW 0-10 WSW 5-15 SW 5-15 WSW 10-20
West Central WNW 10-20 WNW 10-20 WNW 15-25 W 15-25
West South NW 5-15 W 5-15 W 5-15 W 10-20
Stevens Pass WNW 10-20 W 10-20 WNW 10-20 W 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass WNW 15-25 NW 15-25 WNW 15-25 WNW 15-25
East North WNW 10-20 W 10-20 W 15-25 W 15-25
East Central WNW 10-20 WNW 15-25 WNW 20-30 WNW 15-25
East South NW 10-20 WNW 10-20 WNW 15-25 WNW 15-25
Mt. Hood W 15-25 W 20-30 W 25-35 W 20-30
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 5-15
Sunday Night W 5-15
Monday Morning WSW 0-10
Monday Afternoon W 5-15
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WSW 0-10
Sunday Night WSW 5-15
Monday Morning SW 5-15
Monday Afternoon WSW 10-20
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WNW 10-20
Sunday Night WNW 10-20
Monday Morning WNW 15-25
Monday Afternoon W 15-25
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening NW 5-15
Sunday Night W 5-15
Monday Morning W 5-15
Monday Afternoon W 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WNW 10-20
Sunday Night W 10-20
Monday Morning WNW 10-20
Monday Afternoon W 10-20
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WNW 15-25
Sunday Night NW 15-25
Monday Morning WNW 15-25
Monday Afternoon WNW 15-25
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WNW 10-20
Sunday Night W 10-20
Monday Morning W 15-25
Monday Afternoon W 15-25
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening WNW 10-20
Sunday Night WNW 15-25
Monday Morning WNW 20-30
Monday Afternoon WNW 15-25
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening NW 10-20
Sunday Night WNW 10-20
Monday Morning WNW 15-25
Monday Afternoon WNW 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Sunday Evening W 15-25
Sunday Night W 20-30
Monday Morning W 25-35
Monday Afternoon W 20-30

Issued: 2:43 PM PDT Sunday, April 14, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

The Pacific Northwest remains at the western edge of the broad trough Tuesday night through Thursday. Expect slight chances for afternoon showers to flare up. Temperatures will gradually warm as an offshore ridge builds just offshore.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Tuesday Night Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
West North 2500' 4500' 4500' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 2500' 4000' 4500' 5000'
Mt. Hood 3500' 4500' 5500' 5000'
West North Elevation
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday 4500'
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday 4000'
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday 4500'
Wednesday Night 5500'
Thursday 5000'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 14, 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’.