Issued: 2:14 PM PDT Wednesday, April 24, 2024
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis

We're in for a prolonged period of cool, wet weather across the Pacific Northwest. A low pressure system far to our north is dragging a trailing front across the region this Wednesday afternoon. Weakening bands of showers will wash out over the area during the night. As the front pushes into the Cascades, expect gusty winds to increase, particularly near the crest. 

There may not be much of a noticeable break as our second weather feature arrives Thursday morning. Widespread rain and snow will drift over the region from SW to NE as an upper trough approaches the area.  Expect generally constant light precipitation near and west of the crest. As the trough pushes inland, there should be enough forcing to bring precipitation further east later in the afternoon and evening. All total, we should see about 24 hrs of pretty consistent rain and snow.

Instead of fully exiting, the trough expands. Sitting on the backside (western edge) of the feature, we should receive plenty of moisture and onshore flow to maintain showers in the mountains throughout Friday. Our unsettled weather pattern continues into the weekend and next week. 

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 Cloudy with rain and snow showers, heaviest in the western and southern Olympics. Winds becoming SSW light to moderate.
Thursday Steady light rain and snow. Light to moderate SSW winds.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Winds turning more southerly and increasing.
Thursday Steady light rain and snow. Moderate and gusty S winds.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Light to moderate WSW winds.
Thursday Steady rain and snow could be moderate at times. Moderate SSW winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with scattered rain and snow showers. Moderate W winds, strongest near the crest, decreasing slightly overnight.
Thursday Steady rain and snow near the volcanoes could be moderate at times. Showers closer to the Cascade Crest. Light to moderate but gusty SW winds.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with scattered rain and snow showers. Light to moderate W winds.
Thursday Cloudy with steady rain and snow. Light SW winds turning W. Pass level flow light and variable.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Moderate W winds decreasing slightly.
Thursday Steady light rain and snow. Light SW winds turning W. Light and variable pass level flow.
Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated showers near the crest. Light to moderate W winds.
Thursday Cloudy to mostly cloudy with scattered showers, mainly in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated showers near the crest. Moderate to strong and gusty W winds decreasing slightly.
Thursday Cloudy with showers primarily in the afternoon. Light to moderate but gusty SW winds.
Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy with isolated showers near the crest. Moderate to strong and gusty W winds decreasing slightly.
Thursday Cloudy with showers primarily in the afternoon. Moderate and gusty SW winds.
Wednesday Night Cloudy with a few isolated showers. Moderate to strong and gusty W winds.
Thursday Cloudy with rain and snow increasing in the afternoon. Moderate to strong and gusty SW winds decreasing slightly.

Issued: 2:14 PM PDT Wednesday, April 24, 2024

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 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Paradise LT 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25
White Pass LT 0.10 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10
Washington Pass LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 0.50 0.75 -1.00 0.25
Timberline LT 0.10 0.50 0.75 -1.00 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night 0.25
Friday LT 0.25
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0.50
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday LT 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0.50 - 0.75
Thursday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Friday LT 0.25
White Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night 0
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Thursday Night LT 0.25
Friday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0.50
Thursday Night 0.75 -1.00
Friday 0.25
Timberline Precipitation (in)
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday 0.50
Thursday Night 0.75 -1.00
Friday 0.25

Issued: 2:14 PM PDT Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon Thursday Evening Thursday Night Friday Morning Friday Afternoon
Olympics 4500' 5000' 5000' 5000' 5000' 5000' 4500' 5000'
West North 4500' 4500' 4500' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 5000'
West Central 5000' 5000' 4500' 5000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 5000'
West South 5500' 5000' 5000' 5000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 5000'
Stevens Pass 5000' 5000' 5000' 5000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' 5000' 5000' 5000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 5000'
East North 5000' 5000' 5000' 5500' 5500' 5000' 5000' 5500'
East Central 5500' 5000' 5000' 5500' 5500' 5000' 5000' 5500'
East South 5500' 5500' 5500' 5500' 5500' 5000' 5000' 5500'
Mt. Hood 6500' 6000' 6000' 6000' 5500' 5000' 4500' 5000'
Olympics Elevation
Wednesday Evening 4500'
Wednesday Night 5000'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Thursday Evening 5000'
Thursday Night 5000'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Evening 4500'
Wednesday Night 4500'
Thursday Morning 4500'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Thursday Evening 4500'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
West Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 5000'
Thursday Morning 4500'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Thursday Evening 5000'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
West South Elevation
Wednesday Evening 5500'
Wednesday Night 5000'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Thursday Evening 5000'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 5000'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Thursday Evening 5000'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 5000'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 5000'
Thursday Evening 5000'
Thursday Night 4500'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'
East North Elevation
Wednesday Evening 5000'
Wednesday Night 5000'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 5000'
Friday Morning 5000'
Friday Afternoon 5500'
East Central Elevation
Wednesday Evening 5500'
Wednesday Night 5000'
Thursday Morning 5000'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 5000'
Friday Morning 5000'
Friday Afternoon 5500'
East South Elevation
Wednesday Evening 5500'
Wednesday Night 5500'
Thursday Morning 5500'
Thursday Afternoon 5500'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 5000'
Friday Morning 5000'
Friday Afternoon 5500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening 6500'
Wednesday Night 6000'
Thursday Morning 6000'
Thursday Afternoon 6000'
Thursday Evening 5500'
Thursday Night 5000'
Friday Morning 4500'
Friday Afternoon 5000'

Issued: 2:14 PM PDT Wednesday, April 24, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Wednesday Night Thursday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 32 / 30 35 / 32
West North 31 / 29 35 / 30
West Central 32 / 29 35 / 31
West South 33 / 32 36 / 32
Stevens Pass 32 / 31 37 / 32
Snoqualmie Pass 32 / 31 37 / 32
East North 34 / 29 39 / 31
East Central 33 / 31 38 / 32
East South 34 / 32 38 / 33
Mt. Hood 37 / 34 37 / 34
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 32 / 30
Thursday 35 / 32
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 31 / 29
Thursday 35 / 30
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 32 / 29
Thursday 35 / 31
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 33 / 32
Thursday 36 / 32
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 32 / 31
Thursday 37 / 32
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 32 / 31
Thursday 37 / 32
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 34 / 29
Thursday 39 / 31
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 33 / 31
Thursday 38 / 32
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 34 / 32
Thursday 38 / 33
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Wednesday Night 37 / 34
Thursday 37 / 34

Issued: 2:14 PM PDT Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

Wednesday Evening Wednesday Night Thursday Morning Thursday Afternoon
Olympics SW 5-15 SSW 10-20 SSW 10-20 SSW 10-20
West North SW 5-15 SSW 10-20 S 15-25 S 15-25
West Central WSW 10-20 WSW 10-20 SSW 15-25 SSW 10-20
West South W 15-25 W 10-20 SW 10-20 SW 10-20
Stevens Pass W 10-20 W 10-20 SW 5-15 W 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass W 15-25 W 10-20 SW 5-15 W 5-15
East North W 10-20 W 10-20 SW 5-15 SSW 5-15
East Central W 20-30 W 15-25 WSW 10-20 SW 10-20
East South W 20-30 W 15-25 WSW 15-25 SW 15-25
Mt. Hood W 20-30 W 20-30 SW 20-30 SW 25-35
Olympics Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening SW 5-15
Wednesday Night SSW 10-20
Thursday Morning SSW 10-20
Thursday Afternoon SSW 10-20
West North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening SW 5-15
Wednesday Night SSW 10-20
Thursday Morning S 15-25
Thursday Afternoon S 15-25
West Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening WSW 10-20
Wednesday Night WSW 10-20
Thursday Morning SSW 15-25
Thursday Afternoon SSW 10-20
West South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 15-25
Wednesday Night W 10-20
Thursday Morning SW 10-20
Thursday Afternoon SW 10-20
Stevens Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 10-20
Wednesday Night W 10-20
Thursday Morning SW 5-15
Thursday Afternoon W 5-15
Snoqualmie Pass Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 15-25
Wednesday Night W 10-20
Thursday Morning SW 5-15
Thursday Afternoon W 5-15
East North Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 10-20
Wednesday Night W 10-20
Thursday Morning SW 5-15
Thursday Afternoon SSW 5-15
East Central Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 20-30
Wednesday Night W 15-25
Thursday Morning WSW 10-20
Thursday Afternoon SW 10-20
East South Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 20-30
Wednesday Night W 15-25
Thursday Morning WSW 15-25
Thursday Afternoon SW 15-25
Mt. Hood Ridgeline Winds (mph)
Wednesday Evening W 20-30
Wednesday Night W 20-30
Thursday Morning SW 20-30
Thursday Afternoon SW 25-35

Issued: 2:14 PM PDT Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

While not a total washout, the weekend looks cool and showery. A low pressure system will start to approach the coast and eject several subtle waves of energy. Each will bring a slightly greater chance of showers and slight uptick in wind speeds. The timing and strength of these features can be tough to nail down this far in advance. Right now, the first of these waves appears to arrive late Saturday afternoon and evening, with a more organized storm following later on Sunday. No matter the timing, our cool and wet weather continues through the weekend and into next week.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
West North 4500' 4500' 4000' 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500'
Mt. Hood 4000' 4500' 5000' 5000'
West North Elevation
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday 4500'
Saturday Night 4000'
Sunday 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Night 4500'
Saturday 4500'
Saturday Night 4500'
Sunday 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Night 4000'
Saturday 4500'
Saturday Night 5000'
Sunday 5000'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 23, 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’.