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 & Saturday
An active weather pattern will continue across the Pacific Northwest over the next several days with a broad area of low pressure located off the coast of British Columbia and strong westerly flow aloft. There will be a strong north to south snow level gradient over the next two days with the higher snow levels further to the south.
Snow showers will be heaviest for Mt. Hood today with lighter showers for the Olympics and the west slopes of the Washington Cascades. A weak low pressure system offshore will track across Puget Sound later this afternoon and evening, increasing precipitation intensity and causing a slight warming trend for Snoqualmie Pass and southward this evening. Showers will decrease as the low passes to the east Thursday morning with a relative break between systems.
A stronger low pressure system is forecast to track across the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Friday. The warm front will push across the area from the SE on Friday, causing moderate to occasionally heavy precipitation for Mt. Hood and the south Washington Cascades in the afternoon. Easterly flow should help the lower Passes like Snoqualmie stay snow initially through the afternoon. Heavier precipitation will push further north Thursday night along with a warming trend, strongest outside of the NW Cascades and the Olympics. Winds will become very strong to the south of the low pressure system later Thursday afternoon and night.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers.
|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light rain and snow becoming light showers after midnight. |
| Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Light rain and snow developing. Slow warming trend. |
| Thursday Night |
Becoming stormy with moderate rain and snow. Warming trend and moderate winds. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers, sunbreaks mostly likely north Cascasdes. Snow showers occasionally moderate in convergence zone between Skagit and Snohomish County.
|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing Stevens Pass and south. Rain and snow light to occasionally moderate south Washington Cascades. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow becoming light to moderate showers after midnight. Slight warming trend in the evening especially central and south Washington Cascades. |
| Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Light rain and snow developing north and central Cascades. Light to moderate rain and snow south Washington Cascades. Slow warming trend. |
| Thursday Night |
Becoming stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Warming trend and strong winds. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday Morning |
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers mainly near the crest.
|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing central-east and southeast Cascades. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light rain and snow becoming light showers after midnight. Slight warming trend in the late evening especially central-east and southeast Washington Cascades. |
| Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Light rain and snow developing northeast and central-east Cascades. Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow southeast Washington Cascades. Slow warming trend. |
| Thursday Night |
Becoming stormy with moderate rain and snow. Warming trend and strong winds. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday Morning |
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Windy.
|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Moderate rain and snow with a warming trend. Windy. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Windy. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Mild with strong winds. |
Issued: 2:56 PM PST Wednesday, March 8, 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 | Snow Level | 2500' | 1500' | 1000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 2000' | 1000' | 1000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 6000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 6500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 3500' | 2500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 8000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 5500' | 4500' | 4000' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 6500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
* 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
| Saturday | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 0.75 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Paradise | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 2.00 |
| White Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Timberline | 0 - 1.50 | 1.50 - 2.00 |
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: 2:56 PM PST Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | WSW 15 - 25 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 0 - 10 | S 0 - 10 | WSW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 | SE 5 - 15 | SE 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | SSW 25 - 40 | --- - | SW 45 - 55 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 45 - 55 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 45 - 55 |
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 - Wednesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | WSW 45 - 55 | --- - | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 35 | WSW 40 - 50 | --- - | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 55 - 65 | --- - | WSW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Night | SW 35 - 50 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 55 - 70 | --- - | SW 65 - 75 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | SW 35 - 50 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | WSW 45 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Night | SW 55 - 70 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Night | SW 65 - 75 |
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: 2:56 PM PST Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
In the wake of the strong low pressure system lifting NE into southern British Columbia early Friday morning and W-SW winds will persist through the morning hours. Showers will diminish during the day on Friday but a period of moderate showers is possible for the NW Cascades in the morning. A cooling trend will ensue during the day as cooler air filters into the region. Weak upper level ridging will build over the area on Friday night.
The cooling trend will be brief as a Pacific frontal system spreads light to moderate precipitation over the area with snow levels rising on Saturday. Warm frontal moisture will impact the area on Sunday, with yet another warming trend impacting the area.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers diminishing in the afternoon. Showers locally heavy NW Cascades in the morning. Strong winds in the morning. Slow cooling trend.
Mostly cloudy.
Increasing clouds with light rain and snow developing over the Olympics mid-day and spreading inland during the afternoon hours. Slight warming trend.
Light to moderate rain and snow showers decreasing overnight.
Cloudy with moderate rain and snow developing Olympics and Washington Cascades, only periods of light rain and snow Mt. Hood. Stronger warming trend.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 5500' | |
| Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 4000' - 5000' | 6000' - 7000' | * |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 5500' | 6000' - 7000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
* 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 Mar 8, 2017
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