Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Saturday & Wednesday
A strong front crossed the Cascades this morning with rapid cooling taking place during the morning hours with heavy steady precipitation turning to moderate to heavy showers for the west slopes. The air mass is unstable behind the front, and the potential for an isolated thunderstorms should persist through the evening.
The trough axis associated with the parent upper level low will swing through and re-invigorate precipitation rates this afternoon and this evening. Orographic showers will continue in northwest flow Saturday night through Sunday morning. Further cooling will occur Saturday night with snow levels dipping down to 1500-3000 feet across the area. Expect strong winds through the short term...with southwest flow veering to west-northwest later today and overnight. Winds should be at their lightest late Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Low snow levels will not last long as warm frontal precipitation extending from a low pressure system in the NE Paciifc begins to over run the area on Sunday. Steady light rain and snow with gradually rising snow levels are expected Sunday afternoon and evening. Moderate to heavy rain and snow should being to ease late Sunday night from south to north across the area.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Moderate rain and snow showers becoming occasionally heavy during the afternoon and evening. Windy. |
| Sunday Morning |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Moderate rain and snow. Strong winds and a warming trend. |
| Sunday Night |
Light rain and snow, except moderate rain and snow north Cascades. Continued windy. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers becoming occasionally moderate to heavy during the afternoon and evening. Windy. |
| Sunday Morning |
Light rain and snow showers. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Light rain and snow increasing to moderate to heavy in the afternoon. Strong winds and a warming trend. |
| Sunday Night |
Light rain and snow, except moderate rain and snow northeast Cascades near the Cascade crest. Continued windy. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Moderate rain and snow showers becoming occasionally heavy during the afternoon and evening. Windy. |
| Sunday Morning |
Moderate to heavy rain and snow. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Moderate rain and snow. Strong winds and a warming trend. |
| Sunday Night |
Light rain and snow. Continued windy. |
Issued: 1:46 PM PST Saturday, January 11, 2014
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 5000' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 5000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.
Precipitation Forecast
| Wednesday | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 2.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.50 - 2.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 - 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Paradise | 0 - 2.50 | 0 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0 - 2.50 | 0 - 1.50 |
LT = less than; WE or Water equivalent is the liquid water equivalent of melted snow in hundredths of inches. As a rough approximation 1 inch of snow = about .10 inches WE, or 10 inches of snow = about 1 inch WE.
Issued: 1:46 PM PST Saturday, January 11, 2014
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 40 - 55 | --- - | W 50 - 65 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 20 - 30 | --- - | W 30 - 40 | --- - | W 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 35 - 50 | --- - | W 35 - 50 | --- - | W 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Evening | WNW 25 - 35 | --- - | W 40 - 50 | --- - | W 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Evening | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Evening | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 55 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Evening | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 50 - 65 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Evening | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Evening | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 55 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Evening | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 50 - 65 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - | --- - | WSW 50 - 70 | --- - | W 60 - 80 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - | --- - | NW 40 - 60 | --- - | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - | --- - | NW 45 - 65 | --- - | NW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | NW 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | NW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 60 - 80 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | NW 45 - 65 |
Directions above indicate the direction the wind blows from on the 16-point cardinal scale. These winds indicate "free" winds, or those winds in the atmosphere not influenced by terrain. Topographical effects may produce greater or lower wind speeds in certain locations as well as significant variations in direction.
Issued: 1:46 PM PST Saturday, January 11, 2014
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
Snow levels should remain moderate on Monday, with warm frontal precipitation brushing mainly the central Cascades to the Canadian border. As the upper level ridge rebounds not far offshore...moisture will be shunted further north of the border. The drying and warming trend will continue Monday night.
Tuesday and Wednesday look warm and dry with the upper level ridge in control along the Pacific coast.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Light rain and snow tapering down during the day, heaviest north Cascades. Continued windy.
Becoming mostly cloudy with light rain and snow ending from south to north overnight.
Mostly clear and mild.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | ' - ' | 3500' - 4500' | 4500' - 6000' | |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Wednesday | Freezing Level | ' - ' | 8000' - 10000' | 9000' - 11000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Wednesday |
Freezing Level ' - ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 8000' - 10000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' - 6000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 9000' - 11000' |
* Easterly flow in the Cascade Passes can cause locally lower Snow or Freezing levels than areas further west.
Freezing Level is when no precipitation is forecast.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Jan 11, 2014
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.