Scattered showers will continue to pepper the west slopes of the Cascades, the Olympics and Mt Hood this evening before tapering off overnight. Showers will quickly taper off as you move east of the Cascade crest. The PNW sits on the backside of a cold upper level trough and although the showers will be light, snow levels are low for mid-April and a quick trace to 2" may accumulate above 3000'. The flow aloft will become more northerly tonight and we'll see moderate NW-erly winds become Northerly after midnight with even stronger winds in the alpine over the North Cascades.
Low-level clouds along the west slopes of the Cascades should quickly diminish Wednesday morning, and mostly sunny skies should prevail in most areas. There's just enough instability on the backside of the trough that we should see cumulus build up along with isolated mountain showers in the afternoon that drift from N-NE to S-SW. Light to moderate N-erly winds will continue during the day on Wednesday and freezing levels will rebound to 5500-6000' in the afternoon.
The upper trough's influence will weaken on Thursday as it shifts further east into the central US/CAN. We can expect dry weather with a slight warming trend. Mostly sunny skies are expected but there may be some mid-level clouds to contend with before we can call it true bluebird.
NWAC will issue daily Mountain Weather Forecasts @ 230pm through April 28th, with the exception of April 18th, when we will be closed for an end-of-season forecaster meeting.
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
Partly to mostly cloudy. Chance of light rain or snow showers in the evening.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the evening, then partly to mostly cloudy after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds developing after midnight.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds slowly easing in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the evening, then partly to mostly cloudy after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow showers.
Tuesday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the evening, then partly to mostly cloudy after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow showers.
Tuesday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the evening, then partly to mostly cloudy after midnight. Moderate NW ridgeline winds and light W Pass level winds.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly sunny in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow showers. Light to moderate N ridgeline winds and light W Pass level winds.
Tuesday
Night
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the evening, then partly to mostly cloudy after midnight. Moderate NW ridgeline winds and light W Pass level winds.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly sunny in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow showers. Light to moderate N ridgeline winds and light W Pass level winds.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers near the Cascade crest in the evening, then partly to mostly clear after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly sunny in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds slowly easing in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers near the Cascade crest in the evening, then partly to mostly clear after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly sunny in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds slowly easing in the afternoon.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers near the Cascade crest in the evening, then partly to mostly clear after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly sunny in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow showers.
Tuesday
Night
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the evening west-side of the mountain, then partly cloudy after midnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon with a chance of light rain or snow showers.
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Tuesday, April 16, 2024
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
0
0
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Stevens Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Snoqualmie Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Crystal Mt
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Paradise
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
White Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Washington Pass
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Mission Ridge
0
LT 0.10
0
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Mt Hood Meadows
0
LT 0.10
0
0
Timberline
LT 0.10
LT 0.10
0
0
Hurricane Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
0
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mt Baker Ski Area
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Stevens Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Snoqualmie Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Crystal Mt
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Paradise
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
White Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Washington Pass
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mission Ridge
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Tieton River - Darland Mt.
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Mt Hood Meadows
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
0
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Timberline
Precipitation (in)
Tuesday Night
LT 0.10
Wednesday
LT 0.10
Wednesday Night
0
Thursday
0
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Snow Level (ft)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon
Wednesday
Evening
Wednesday
Night
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Afternoon
Olympics
3000'
2500'
3500'
5000'
4500'
4500'
5000'
6000'
West North
3000'
2000'
3500'
5500'
5000'
4500'
5000'
6500'
West Central
3000'
2000'
3500'
5500'
5000'
4500'
5000'
6500'
West South
3000'
2000'
3500'
6000'
5000'
4500'
5000'
6500'
Stevens Pass
3000'
2000'
3500'
5500'
5000'
4500'
5000'
6500'
Snoqualmie Pass
3000'
2000'
3500'
5500'
5000'
4500'
5000'
6500'
East North
3000'
2000'
3500'
6000'
5000'
3500'
5000'
6500'
East Central
3000'
2000'
3500'
6000'
5000'
4000'
5000'
6500'
East South
3000'
2000'
3500'
6000'
5000'
4500'
5000'
6500'
Mt. Hood
3000'
2000'
3500'
6000'
5000'
4500'
5500'
7000'
Olympics
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2500'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
5000'
Wednesday
Evening
4500'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6000'
West North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
5500'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6500'
West Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
5500'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6500'
West South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
6000'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6500'
Stevens Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
5500'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6500'
Snoqualmie Pass
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
5500'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6500'
East North
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
6000'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
3500'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6500'
East Central
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
6000'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
4000'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6500'
East South
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
6000'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
5000'
Thursday
Afternoon
6500'
Mt. Hood
Elevation
Tuesday
Evening
3000'
Tuesday
Night
2000'
Wednesday
Morning
3500'
Wednesday
Afternoon
6000'
Wednesday
Evening
5000'
Wednesday
Night
4500'
Thursday
Morning
5500'
Thursday
Afternoon
7000'
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Tuesday, April 16, 2024
5000' Temperatures (°F)
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Max / Min
Max / Min
Olympics
28 / 21
35 / 22
West North
27 / 19
36 / 22
West Central
27 / 19
36 / 21
West South
28 / 19
38 / 21
Stevens Pass
29 / 19
39 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass
27 / 19
37 / 21
East North
28 / 16
37 / 21
East Central
29 / 19
38 / 21
East South
30 / 19
38 / 21
Mt. Hood
30 / 21
38 / 21
Olympics
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 21
Wednesday
35 / 22
West North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
27 / 19
Wednesday
36 / 22
West Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
27 / 19
Wednesday
36 / 21
West South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 19
Wednesday
38 / 21
Stevens Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
29 / 19
Wednesday
39 / 21
Snoqualmie Pass
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
27 / 19
Wednesday
37 / 21
East North
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
28 / 16
Wednesday
37 / 21
East Central
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
29 / 19
Wednesday
38 / 21
East South
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
30 / 19
Wednesday
38 / 21
Mt. Hood
5000' Temperature Forecast (Max / Min)
Tuesday
Night
30 / 21
Wednesday
38 / 21
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
Tuesday
Night
Wednesday
Morning
Wednesday
Afternoon
Olympics
NNW 5-15
N 5-15
N 5-15
N 5-15
West North
N 5-15
N 10-20
NNE 10-20
N 5-15
West Central
N 5-15
NNW 10-20
N 5-15
N 5-15
West South
NW 10-20
NW 15-25
N 5-15
N 5-15
Stevens Pass
NW 10-20
NW 10-20
N 5-15
N 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
NW 10-20
NW 10-20
N 5-15
N 5-15
East North
NNW 10-20
N 15-25
N 10-20
N 5-15
East Central
NW 15-25
N 10-20
N 10-20
N 5-15
East South
NW 10-20
NNW 10-20
N 5-15
N 5-15
Mt. Hood
NNW 15-25
NNW 10-20
NE 5-15
NE 5-15
Olympics
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
5-15
Tuesday
Night
N
5-15
Wednesday
Morning
N
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
N
5-15
West North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
N
5-15
Tuesday
Night
N
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
NNE
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
N
5-15
West Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
N
5-15
Tuesday
Night
NNW
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
N
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
N
5-15
West South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
NW
15-25
Wednesday
Morning
N
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
N
5-15
Stevens Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
NW
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
N
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
N
5-15
Snoqualmie Pass
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
NW
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
N
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
N
5-15
East North
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
N
15-25
Wednesday
Morning
N
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
N
5-15
East Central
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
15-25
Tuesday
Night
N
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
N
10-20
Wednesday
Afternoon
N
5-15
East South
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NW
10-20
Tuesday
Night
NNW
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
N
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
N
5-15
Mt. Hood
Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Tuesday
Evening
NNW
15-25
Tuesday
Night
NNW
10-20
Wednesday
Morning
NE
5-15
Wednesday
Afternoon
NE
5-15
Issued: 2:45 PM PDT Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Extended Weather Synopsis
An upper-level ridge will move over the area Friday with dry, sunny, and mild weather expected. Saturday should start warm and dry as well, but forecast models disagree how quickly the ridge breaks down over the weekend as a weak Pacific frontal system approaches.
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).