Mountain Weather Forecast

Weather Synopsis

It's a lovely Saturday across the mountains! A few clouds continue to hang along the spine of the Cacades and in the mountain Passes. While there will be a few subtle changes over the next 24 to 48 hours, we can expect more spring-like weather with cool, mostly clear nights and warmer, generally sunny days. A zonal (W to E) jet stream is aimed just to our north and will keep the region on the drier side through Monday. 

This evening, mostly clear skies will allow temperatures to quickly cool as the sun goes down. A frontal system passing to our north brushes the Olympics and North Cascades overnight. The most notable impact from this system will be an increase in clouds and wind, mainly near and north of I-90. As a result, the southern forecast zones will see more substantial overnight cooling. Precipitation arrives with this front after midnight and brings a slight dusting of snow for areas near Hurricane Ridge and Mt Baker. 

You may encounter clouds and even a few flurries to start Sunday, but skies should quickly clear, and winds decrease. With more sunshine and lighter winds, temperatures will rise. A developing low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska lifts the jet stream northward in the afternoon, allowing warmer air to filter into the southern portion of the forecast area, resulting in 5000 ft temperatures reaching into the 40s. 

The pattern repeats Sunday night into Monday, as clear skies allow temperatures to cool at the surface, developing inversions in the mountain passes and valleys. Mostly sunny skies and generally light winds help temperatures rise again during the day. While you'll notice these diurnal temperature swings everywhere, they'll be more pronounced east of the Crest, where drier air warms and cools more quickly. Our dry stretch comes to an end Monday night as our next major weather system starts knocking at the door.