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Weather Synopsis for Tuesday & Thursday
A weak surface low will traverse across southern Washington this morning and bring a period of generally light snow to the south and central Washington Cascades with continuing moderate accumulations down at Mt. Hood. Light upslope snow showers are likely along the north slopes of the Olympics today with breezy NE winds. The surface low is part of the E-W elongated trough stretched out over Washington state with the upper low centered offshore.
A stronger low pressure system developing in the westerly jet aimed at northern California will approach the south Oregon coast this afternoon. Besides spreading renewed precipitation into the Mt. Hood region this afternoon, the pressure falls associated with this low pressure system will turn the winds E-NE throughout the Cascades and Olympics.
Forecast models indicate precipitation largely confined to the far south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood tonight, but it's reasonable to assume their will be some light upslope snow showers along the east slopes from Mission Ridge and south overnight. The surface low will dissipate as it moves inland Wednesday morning but the weak upper level low circulation will remain parked off the WA/OR coast on Wednesday. Cold easterly flow should ease Wednesday afternoon but clouds should be more plentiful for both sides of the central and south Washington Cascades with mostly clear conditions expected close to the Canadian border through much of the short term period.
Weather Forecast
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Tuesday - Wednesday Morning |
Cloudy with periods of light snow mainly south Washington Cascades. Partly to mostly clear north Cascades. Light to moderate E-NE winds developing this afternoon through Tuesday night. Turning colder. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Mostly sunny north Cascades. Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers central and south Washington Cascades. |
| Wednesday Night |
Mostly clear. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Tuesday - Wednesday Morning |
Cloudy with periods of light snow mainly southeast Washington Cascades. Mostly clear northeast Cascades. Light to moderate E-NE winds developing this afternoon through Tuesday night. Turning colder. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Mostly sunny northeast Cascades. Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers central and southeast Washington Cascades. |
| Wednesday Night |
Mostly clear. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Tuesday - Wednesday Morning |
Light to occasionally moderate snow. Moderate E winds developing this afternoon through Tuesday night. Turning colder. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night |
Becoming mostly clear. |
Olympics
| Tuesday - Tuesday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy with light snow showers north slopes of the Olympics. Light to moderate NE winds developing this afternoon through Tuesday night. Turning colder. |
| Wednesday |
Partly to mostly sunny. |
| Wednesday Night |
Mostly clear. |
Issued: 7:28 AM PST Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level * | 1000' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 500' | ' | 2500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 0' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 0' | ' | 500' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 0' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 0' | ' | 0' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
* 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
| Thursday | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.75 - 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.75 - 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
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: 7:28 AM PST Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | E 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | NE 10 - 20 | NE 15 - 25 | ESE 10 - 20 | --- - | E 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | NE 15 - 25 | ENE 15 - 25 | ESE 15 - 25 | --- - | E 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | NE 10 - 20 | ENE 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | --- - | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 0 - 10 | NE 0 - 10 | NE 0 - 10 | --- - | SE 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | NE 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | NE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | NE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | NE 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | ENE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | E 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | E 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | NE 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | NE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | NE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | NE 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | ENE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | E 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | E 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | NE 15 - 25 | N 10 - 20 | E 15 - 25 | --- - | S 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | ENE 10 - 20 | NE 10 - 20 | E 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 5 - 15 | NE 5 - 15 | SE 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 5 - 15 | N 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | NE 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | ENE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 5 - 15 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | N 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | NE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | NE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | N 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | E 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | E 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Jan 9, 2017
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