Forecast for Friday:

A relatively quiet pattern will remain in place across the region with a mix of sun and clouds. Spring skiing conditions can generally be expected with some mid-April solar effects, but temperatures will still be on the cooler side of average for this time of year.

Limited moisture along with daytime heating from the sun will result in scattered snow showers/flurries developing across the Inland Northwest on Friday afternoon, while little to no snow is expected over the Cascades. 

Snowfall over the Inland Northwest will be light and spotty, generally ranging from 0 to 2 inches. Snow levels will range from 3,000-4,000 feet.

Forecast for Saturday to Tuesday:

A slow-moving trough of low pressure will approach the PNW Coast during this period, resulting in a stretch of more active weather.

A leading-edge disturbance will arrive on Saturday and will primarily impact the WA Cascades with light showers, while the rest of the region stays dry. The main part of the storm will then move through on Sunday-Sunday night with a cold front also arriving, resulting in more widespread showers along with lowering snow levels.

A trailing disturbance will then bring another round of snow showers with low snow levels on Monday, and lingering moisture/instability will result in additional snow showers on Tuesday as well.

Let's dive into the details by region...

Western Washington:

Light snow and rain showers will begin on Saturday afternoon and continue into Saturday night as a leading-edge weak disturbance arrives. Snow levels will be higher with this first wave, ranging from 4,000-5,000 feet. Snow totals above the rain/snow line will be light, generally ranging from a trace to 3 inches.

Light snow/rain showers on Sunday morning will give way to more widespread snow showers on Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening as the main storm arrives with a cold front also moving through on Sunday afternoon. Winds will become strong during this period as well.

Snow levels will begin to fall on Sunday afternoon, eventually lowering to 500-1,500 feet on Sunday night. Snow totals from Sunday through Sunday night will range from 3-8 inches across most of the Cascades while Baker will pick up 5-10 inches. Most of the accumulations will happen after lifts close on Sunday.

On Monday, a trailing disturbance will move through with snow showers picking back up as the day progresses and continuing through Monday night. Snow levels will rise to 2,000-3,000 feet on Monday afternoon before falling to 500-1,500 feet again on Monday night.

Snowfall from Monday through Monday night will generally range from 2-5 inches across the Cascades.

On Tuesday, lingering moisture and instability will result in additional snow showers developing with up to a few more inches possible. Snow levels will also remain low – similar if not slightly lower compared to Monday.

Winds will be gusty at times on both Monday and Tuesday as well.

Keep in mind, it is April and snowfall will be showery in nature, so conditions will still be somewhat variable during this cycle. But I would plan on targeting Monday and Tuesday morning for the best conditions. Some ski areas have moved to weekends only, so be sure to check ski resort websites for the latest operating hours.

Oregon:

Conditions will remain dry and cool during the day on Saturday, but with highs rising above freezing, we can still expect pleasant spring skiing conditions to prevail. 

Showers will begin on midday to early afternoon Sunday as a cold front arrives at the leading edge with snow showers then continuing through Sunday night. Winds will become strong during this period as well.

Snow levels will briefly start out in the 4,500-5,500 foot range early on Sunday afternoon, but still start to fall later in the afternoon, eventually lowering to 1,500-2,500 feet on Sunday night.

Snow totals from Sunday afternoon through Sunday night will generally range from 2-4 inches across the Cascades and a trace to 2 inches across the Blues/Wallowas.

On Monday, a second storm will move through with light snow showers on Monday morning giving way to heavier snow showers on Monday afternoon and Monday night. Snow levels will rise to 3,000-4,000 feet on Monday afternoon before falling to 1,000-2,000 feet on Monday night.

Snowfall from Monday through Monday night will generally range from 2-6 inches across the Cascades and the Blues.

On Tuesday, lingering moisture and instability will result in more scattered/random moderate to heavy snow showers developing with up to several more inches possible for areas that see heavier showers. Snow levels will also remain low – similar if not slightly lower compared to Monday.

Winds will be gusty at times on both Monday and Tuesday as well.

Keep in mind, it is April and snowfall will be showery in nature, so conditions will still be somewhat variable during this cycle. But I would plan on targeting Tuesday for the best conditions. Some ski areas have moved to weekends only, so be sure to check ski resort websites for the latest operating hours.

Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho:

Conditions will remain dry and cool during the day on Saturday, though a few stray flurries/sprinkles couldn't be ruled out over Far Northern Idaho. Despite the seasonally cool pattern, high temperatures will still rise well above freezing, so we can still expect pleasant spring skiing conditions to prevail at remaining open areas, which include Lookout, Silver, and Bluewood. 

Following a dry start to the day on Sunday (closing day at Lookout Pass and Bluewood), rain/snow showers will begin on Sunday afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front with snow levels ranging from 5,500-7,000 feet.

Snow levels will quickly fall on Sunday afternoon behind the cold front with snow showers picking up on Sunday night. However, ski areas will be closed by this point (Lookout and Bluewood for good, and Silver for the weekday period before re-opening over the next 2 weekends).

Snow showers will continue on Sunday night, becoming lighter and more intermittent by early Monday morning. This will be a minor event overall with snow totals generally ranging from 1-2 inches. Snow levels will fall to 2,500-3,500 feet on Sunday night.

Snow showers and flurries will re-develop during the day on Monday and into Monday evening, but snow totals will be light and variable once again, ranging from zero to 2 inches, with perhaps slightly higher totals in the Blue Mountains of SE Washington. Snow levels will range from 2,500-4,000 feet. 

On Tuesday, lingering moisture and instability will result in another round of snow showers developing, with some indications this activity could be heavier compared to prior days with up to a few inches possible. Snow levels will also remain low – similar if not slightly lower compared to Monday.

Winds will be gusty at times on both Monday and Tuesday as well.

Ski resorts will be closed during this storm cycle, but if you plan on heading into the backcountry, I would target Tuesday for the best chance to catch some fresh turns. Keep in mind, it will probably still be dust-on-crust skiing.

A cool and unsettled northwest flow pattern will linger on Wednesday (April 19th) and Thursday (April 20th) with additional snow showers possible. Confidence is low in the details, but snowfall will probably end up being lighter compared to prior days. Snow levels should remain low by mid-April standards, however.

Looking further out, we may see a slight warming and drying trend next Friday (April 21st) and Saturday (April 22nd) as high pressure builds along the West Coast and attempts to nudge its way into the PNW from the south. However, it's uncertain yet as to whether or not we will completely dry out during this period or if we still some weak light shower activity.

Medium to longer range models are hinting that we could head back into a chilly and unsettled pattern by approximately next Sunday (April 23rd) and into the following week.

Thanks so much for reading! I will be posting my final Northwest Daily Snow of the season on Monday (April 17).

ALAN SMITH 

Projected Ski Resort Closing Dates:

Note: Some areas are now only open on weekends prior to closing for the season. Also, some ski areas may adjust their closing dates based on condtitions. Check ski resort websites for the most accurate operating dates and hours. 

CLOSED for the Season (as of April 14):

Anthony Lakes

49º North

Mt. Spokane

Schweitzer

April 16th:

Mt. Hood Skibowl

Hoodoo

Bluewood

Lookout Pass

April 23rd:

Mt. Baker

Mt. Ashland

Willamette Pass

April 30th:

Mission Ridge

Stevens Pass

Summit at Snoqualmie

Alpental

White Pass

Silver Mountain

May 6th:

Mt. Hood Meadows

May 28th:

Mt. Bachelor

June 11th:

Crystal Mountain

Late Summer:

Timberline