Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Friday
A low pressure system will track across southern Vancouver Island today. Warm frontal moisture already affecting Mt. Hood and the far south Washington Cascades will spread north to the central and north Cascades by mid-day. Precipitation rates will generally increase in the afternoon but the heaviest precipitation looks slotted for the early evening for much of the Washington Cascades. Mt. Hood's storm intensity will peak during the afternoon.
All areas will see a warming trend but the highest snow levels will been seen in the south. Initial easterly flow should keep Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes as snow through the afternoon with a switch to rain sometime in the late afternoon through evening. White Pass is likely to see mostly rain from this event at Pass level. A quick 6-12 inches of snow could fall Snoqualmie and Stevens before the switch the rain.
As the low lift tracks to our north, a strong surge of SW winds should be seen tonight through Friday morning. Showers will quickly taper down for Mt. Hood and the south Washington Cascades on Friday, but moderate showers should affect the north Cascades Friday morning. Snow levels should slowly lower through the day on Friday as shower activity and winds diminish.
Weather Forecast
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest
| Thursday Morning |
Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow for the north and central Cascades. Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow for the south Cascades. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Moderate rain and snow developing in the afternoon, becoming occasionally heavy in the evening for the south and central Cascades. Increasing winds. Warming trend. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Windy with light rain and snow showers, except occasionally moderate in the north Cascades. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly cloudy. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Thursday Morning |
Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow developing for the northeast and central-east Cascades. Light rain and snow for the southeast Cascades. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing in the afternoon, becoming moderate in the evening. Increasing winds. Warming trend. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Windy with light rain and snow showers, except occasionally moderate in the northeast Cascades. Warming trend. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
| Friday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy. |
Olympics
| Thursday Morning |
Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Light to moderate rain and snow developing in the afternoon, becoming moderate in the evening. Increasing winds. Warming trend. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Windy with light rain and snow showers. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly cloudy. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Thursday Morning |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Strong alpine winds. Warming trend. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Increasing winds. Mild. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Windy with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Partly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly cloudy. |
Issued: 7:42 AM PST Thursday, March 9, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 5500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 8000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 6000' | 5000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 7000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 5500' | 4500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
* 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
| Friday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 - 1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0 - 2.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.50 - 2.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0 - 2.00 | 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: 7:42 AM PST Thursday, March 9, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | --- - | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 | SE 10 - 20 | SE 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 25 - 35 | S 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 35 | --- - | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 | SSW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 50 | --- - | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | W 15 - 25 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 | --- - | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 50 - 65 | --- - | WSW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 | SW 45 - 55 | SW 60 - 75 | --- - | SW 65 - 80 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 | W 40 - 50 | W 30 - 40 | --- - | W 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 50 - 65 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 60 - 75 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | SW 65 - 80 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | W 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 Mar 8, 2017
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