Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Monday, April 15, 2024
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis

2:50 PM update relating to Mt Hood weather.

The cooldown associated with a broad upper trough dropping southward has been dramatic. Freezing levels at Quilliyute dropped from 9,300 to 3,300 from Sunday to Monday morning. Cooling continues as the trough settles into the region. The upper-level flow features WNW winds as the trough slides just to our north over central and southern British Columbia. As of Monday afternoon, these winds are enhanced by a 10 mb temperature gradient across the Cascades. These gradients and associated low-level winds likely peak Monday night, before gradually starting to subside on Tuesday. Before these gradients do subside, expect some continued strong to extreme winds for the west side of Mt Hood with much lighter winds further east. For Washington State, epect moderate ridgeline winds for areas near and east of the Cascade Crest, including the mountain gaps. This flow pattern has produced several weak convergence bands in the central and northern Puget Sound regions but most precipitation has been light. Rain/snow shower activity peaks Monday night for the central and northern Cascades. With continued cooling and snow levels dropping down to 2500 ft or lower, expect several inches of snow from Snoqualmie Pass to Mt Baker, with perhaps a few areas slightly west of the Cascade Crest getting a bit more.

Snow showers become more isolated on Tuesday as the upper trough shifts toward northern Idaho. Cold temperatures aloft could drive an isolated convective shower or two with a slight uptick in light to moderate ridgeline winds, clouds, and shower activity in the afternoon.

The Pacific Northwest lingers near the western edge of the exiting trough Tuesday night and Wednesday. Expect a cool start to Wednesday with freezing levels rebounding to around 5000 ft or slightly higher. More sunshine is in store with lighter winds shifting NWerly.

NWAC will issue daily Mountain Weather Forecasts 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
Monday Night A few snow showers, mainly in the western part. Mostly cloudy, then becoming partly cloudy in the early morning hours.
Tuesday More sun than clouds in the morning, then more clouds than sun in the afternoon.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers.
Tuesday Partly cloudy with a few snow showers.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers and weak convergence at times. Moderate ridgeline winds near the Cascade Crest.
Tuesday Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds near the Cascade Crest.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with a few light rain/snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds near the Cascade Crest.
Tuesday Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light snow showers. Moderate ridgeline winds near the Cascade Crest.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with a few light rain/snow showers. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Partly cloudy with a few light rain/snow showers, primarily in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with a few light rain/snow showers. Moderate ridgeline and light to moderate W wind at the Pass.
Tuesday Partly to mostly cloudy with a few light rain/snow showers, primarily in the afternoon. Light to moderate ridgeline and light W wind at the Pass.
Monday Night A few light snow showers near the Cascade Crest, otherwise partly cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Isolated light rain/snow showers mainly in the afternoon. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Night A few light rain/snow showers and weak convergence spillover, decreasing overnight. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Tuesday Isolated light rain/snow showers mainly in the afternoon and near the Cascade Crest. Otherwise, partly to mostly sunny skies. Decreasing light to moderate ridgeline winds.
Monday Night Partly cloudy with a few sprinkles/flurries near the Cascade Crest/
Tuesday Partly to mostly sunny.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy with a few light rain/snow showers on the west slopes of Mt Hood. Moderate ridgeline winds with locally strong to extreme winds.
Tuesday Partly to mostly cloudy. Light to moderate ridgeline winds (locally strong).

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Monday, April 15, 2024

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

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Monday, April 15, 2024

Snow Level (ft)

Monday Evening Monday Night Tuesday Morning Tuesday Afternoon Tuesday Evening Tuesday Night Wednesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
Olympics 3000' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3500' 3500' 4000' 5000'
West North 3000' 1500' 1500' 2500' 3000' 2500' 3000' 5000'
West Central 3000' 2000' 1500' 2500' 3000' 2500' 3000' 5000'
West South 3500' 2500' 2500' 3500' 4000' 2500' 3000' 5000'
Stevens Pass 3500' 2500' 2000' 3500' 3500' 2500' 3000' 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass 3500' 2500' 2000' 3500' 3500' 2500' 3000' 5000'
East North 4500' 2500' 2000' 3500' 3500' 2000' 2500' 5000'
East Central 4500' 3000' 2500' 4000' 4000' 2500' 3000' 5000'
East South 4500' 3000' 2500' 4500' 4000' 2500' 3000' 5000'
Mt. Hood 4000' 2500' 3000' 5000' 4000' 2500' 3000' 5000'
Olympics Elevation
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3000'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 3500'
Wednesday Morning 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
West North Elevation
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 1500'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening 3000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
West Central Elevation
Monday Evening 3000'
Monday Night 2000'
Tuesday Morning 1500'
Tuesday Afternoon 2500'
Tuesday Evening 3000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
West South Elevation
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening 3500'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
East North Elevation
Monday Evening 4500'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 2000'
Tuesday Afternoon 3500'
Tuesday Evening 3500'
Tuesday Night 2000'
Wednesday Morning 2500'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
East Central Elevation
Monday Evening 4500'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4000'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
East South Elevation
Monday Evening 4500'
Monday Night 3000'
Tuesday Morning 2500'
Tuesday Afternoon 4500'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening 4000'
Monday Night 2500'
Tuesday Morning 3000'
Tuesday Afternoon 5000'
Tuesday Evening 4000'
Tuesday Night 2500'
Wednesday Morning 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon 5000'

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Monday, April 15, 2024

5000' Temperatures (°F)

Monday Night Tuesday
Max / Min Max / Min
Olympics 30 / 22 33 / 21
West North 30 / 22 31 / 22
West Central 29 / 23 31 / 23
West South 34 / 23 34 / 23
Stevens Pass 32 / 23 32 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 32 / 23 31 / 23
East North 32 / 19 31 / 18
East Central 33 / 23 32 / 23
East South 35 / 23 35 / 21
Mt. Hood 36 / 25 37 / 25
Olympics 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 22
Tuesday 33 / 21
West North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 30 / 22
Tuesday 31 / 22
West Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 29 / 23
Tuesday 31 / 23
West South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 34 / 23
Tuesday 34 / 23
Stevens Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 32 / 23
Tuesday 32 / 23
Snoqualmie Pass 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 32 / 23
Tuesday 31 / 23
East North 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 32 / 19
Tuesday 31 / 18
East Central 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 33 / 23
Tuesday 32 / 23
East South 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 35 / 23
Tuesday 35 / 21
Mt. Hood 5000' Temperature Forecast
(Max / Min)
Monday Night 36 / 25
Tuesday 37 / 25

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Monday, April 15, 2024

Ridgeline Winds (mph)

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

Issued: 2:52 PM PDT Monday, April 15, 2024

Extended Weather Synopsis

The offshore ridge continues to edge towards the coastline but doesn't fully amplify. Expect temperatures near seasonal norms with 5000-6000 ft freezing levels in the afternoons and good overnight refreezes.

Extended Snow Level (ft)

Wednesday Night* Thursday * Thursday Night* Friday *
West North 4500' 5000' 5000' 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass 4500' 5000' 5500' 5000'
Mt. Hood 5000' 5000' 6000' 5500'
West North Elevation
Wednesday Night* 4500'
Thursday * 5000'
Thursday Night* 5000'
Friday * 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night* 4500'
Thursday * 5000'
Thursday Night* 5500'
Friday * 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night* 5000'
Thursday * 5000'
Thursday Night* 6000'
Friday * 5500'

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

Previous forecast from Apr 15, 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’.