Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Tuesday
Afternoon update: Precipitation and wind forecasts adjusted for most locations Day 1 and Day 2.
An atmospheric river will continue to deliver heavy precipitation to the PNW in SW flow aloft. High freezing levels seen with this pattern will continue through tonight, however low level easterly flow will maintain localized freezing rain in the Cascade Passes, especially at Stevens and Snoqualmie. However, the cold pool on the east side of the state is not as cold as previous storms this winter, making the likelihood of plain rain for the upper elevations in the Passes likely.
As the frontal band lifts NE today, there should be a reprieve from the precipitation mid-day before a secondary low pressure system offshore tracks in a similar fashion and spreads renewed precipitation first along the Olympics and northwest Cascades this afternoon and pushes precipitation inland during the late afternoon and evening. As this frontal boundary slides through overnight, expect a slow cooling trend to begin very late Wednesday night for the Olympics, Mt. Hood and the west slopes of the Cascades. The snow levels in the Washington Pass area will likely peak Thursday morning before colder air begins to trickle into the east slopes during the day. Light to moderate post-frontal showers are expected Thursday and Thursday night along with the slow cooling trend.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Mid-day |
Moderate rain and snow. Precipitation easing late morning. Windy. |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Renewed moderate rain and snow in the afternoon. Windy. Slow cooling trend late Wednesday night. |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Mid-day |
Moderate heavy rain and snow west slopes of the Cascades, heavy Mt. Baker area. Freezing rain lower elevations of the Cascade Passes. Precipitation easing late morning. Windy. |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Renewed moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow late in the afternoon, with rain and freezing rain in the Cascade Passes. Heaviest rain and snow Mt. Baker area. Windy. Slow cooling trend late Wednesday night. |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Mid-day |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Freezing rain lower elevations of the east slopes of the Cascades. Precipitation easing mid-day. |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Renewed light to moderate rain and snow late in the late afternoon, with continued rain and freezing rain lower slopes. |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend beginning Thursday afternoon. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Windy. Mild. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Windy. Mild. Slight cooling trend late Wednesday night. |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
Issued: 2:40 PM PST Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | Snow Level * | 8500' | 7500' | 5500' | ' | ' | 8500' | ' | 9500' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 6500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 5000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
* 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
| Tuesday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 4.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 2.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.75 - 1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 2.00 - 3.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Paradise | 2.00 - 3.00 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| White Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 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: 2:40 PM PST Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 | SSE 15 - 25 | ESE 15 - 25 | --- - | S 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 25 - 35 | S 25 - 35 | SE 20 - 35 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | ESE 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 50 - 60 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 50 - 70 | --- - | SW 60 - 75 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 45 - 55 | S 25 - 35 | SW 50 - 60 | --- - | SW 60 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 40 - 50 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 40 - 50 | --- - | SW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 45 - 55 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 60 - 75 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 60 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 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.
Issued: 2:40 PM PST Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
With weak flow aloft over the area on Friday, showers should generally ease with partial clearing. A long wave trough should pass through the West Coast on Saturday helping to renew shower activity over the region as well as cloud cover. A weak frontal band rotating out from a low pressure system well off Vancouver Island should spread generally light precipitation over the region on Sunday.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood
Mostly cloudy with decreasing scattered light rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Partial afternoon clearing.
Increasing clouds and showers from the south Friday night becoming cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers Saturday.
Periods of light rain and snow.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday - Sunday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
* 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 Feb 15, 2017
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