Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday & Thursday
A weak surface low traversed across southern Washington this morning producing a period of generally light snow for the south and central Washington Cascades with continuing moderate accumulations down at Mt. Hood. Light upslope snow showers with breezy NE winds should taper down along the north slopes of the Olympics tonight. 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 through mid-day Wednesday with mostly clear conditions expected close to the Canadian border through much of the short term period.
Weather Forecast
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. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Cloudy with periods of light snow south Washington Cascades. Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers central Cascades. Mostly clear north Cascades. Light to moderate E-NE winds developing this afternoon through Tuesday night. Turning colder. |
| Wednesday Mid-day - Afternoon |
Mostly sunny north Cascades. Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers central and south Washington Cascades partially clearing in the afternoon. |
| 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 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. |
Issued: 2:06 PM 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 Mid-day | 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 Mid-day |
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 Mid-day |
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 Mid-day |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
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 Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
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 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0 - 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: 2:06 PM PST Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | NE 10 - 20 | NE 15 - 25 | ESE 10 - 20 | --- - | E 10 - 20 |
| 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 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 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 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 Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | E 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 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 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 Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| 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 Afternoon | NE 15 - 25 | N 10 - 20 | E 10 - 20 | --- - | S 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | ENE 10 - 20 | NE 10 - 20 | ESE 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 5 - 15 | NE 5 - 15 | SE 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | NE 5 - 15 | N 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 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 Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| 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.
Issued: 2:06 PM PST Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
A rather benign period of weather is expected as an upper level ridge of high pressure builds into British Columbia Thursday and slowly shifts over to the PNW by Saturday. Mainly clear and fair weather is expected Thursday through Saturday. A weak warm front may brush the area Friday night mostly causing an increase in clouds. Offshore flow will continue through the extended but especially for areas west of the crest, temperatures should moderate Friday and continue on Saturday.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood
Mostly clear. Areas of low clouds along the east slopes and near the Cascade Passes. Slight warming trend Friday.
Partly north Cascades and Olympics with very light rain or snow possible. Mostly clear south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. Continued warming trend Saturday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night | Freezing Level | 0' - 1000' | 0' - 1000' | 500' - 1500' | * |
| Friday - Friday Night | Freezing Level | 2000' - 3000' | 1500' - 2500' | 3000' - 4000' | * |
| Saturday | Freezing Level | 3000' - 4000' | 2000' - 4000' | 3000' - 5000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 0' - 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday - Friday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Freezing Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 0' - 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday - Friday Night |
Freezing Level 1500' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Freezing Level 2000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 500' - 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday - Friday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Freezing Level 3000' - 5000' (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.
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 10, 2017
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.