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
A weak shortwave trough moved through the region overnight...producing sporadic flurries but no measurable precipitation at any of the mountain sites. Mainly low and mid level moisture over the west slopes and Mt. Hood have begun to break up for a partly to mostly sunny day in the mountains, especially along the Cascade crest away from the passes. Freezing levels are a couple of thousand feet lower than yesterday and upper mountain sites are generally much cooler than yesterday while lower mountain sites are a few degrees warmer...indicating a more mixed atmosphere.
The upper level ridge will rebuild offshore through the short term, with rising freezing levels peaking once again over 10,000 feet by Thursday afternoon and night. Strong easterly flow should develop through the passes, especially near Snoqualmie Pass, and bring cooler temperatures, low clouds, and breezy easterly winds Thursday through Thursday night. Moderate easterly winds will extend up to Cascade crest level as well. Easterly winds will strongest near Mt. Hood; the trough that came through Tuesday night should split and form a cut-off low over N California tomorrow...raising tightening the flow over northern Oregon.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Partly to mostly sunny, except mostly cloudy western approaches to and including Snoqualmie Pass. |
| Wednesday Night |
Mostly clear except for mostly cloudy near Snoqualmie Pass. |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Mostly clear and warmer except for mostly cloudy Snoqualmie Pass. Breezy easterly winds near Cascade crest. Locally cooler and breezy Cascade passes and western approaches. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Partly to mostly sunny except mostly cloudy lower slopes. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night |
Mostly clear except for mostly cloudy valleys and eastern approaches to Cascade Passes. Gradual warming aloft through Thursday night. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Mostly sunny. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night |
Mostly clear except for mostly cloudy and cool lower slopes exposed to easterly flow through the Columbia Gap. Moderate east winds at all elevations. Gradual warming mid and upper mountain through Thursday night. |
Issued: 2:48 PM PST Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 6500' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 6000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | Freezing Level * | 8000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 7500' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | Freezing Level * | 11500' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 9500' | ' | 10000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6500' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 11500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 10000' (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
| Saturday | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 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 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
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: 2:48 PM PST Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | NE 0 - 10 | --- - | E 0 - 10 | --- - | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | ENE 10 - 20 | --- - | E 10 - 20 | --- - | E 15 - 25 |
| Thursday | ENE 10 - 20 | --- - | E 20 - 30 | --- - | E 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | E 5 - 15 | --- - | ESE 25 - 35 | --- - | SE 30 - 40 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | NE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | ENE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday | ENE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | E 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday | E 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | ESE 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | E 15 - 25 |
| Thursday | E 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SE 30 - 40 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | NE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | ENE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday | ENE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | E 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday | E 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | ESE 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | E 15 - 25 |
| Thursday | E 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SE 30 - 40 |
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 | --- - | --- - | N 0 - 10 | --- - | N 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | --- - | --- - | ENE 5 - 15 | --- - | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday | --- - | --- - | ENE 10 - 20 | --- - | E 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | --- - | --- - | ENE 5 - 15 | --- - | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday | ENE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday | E 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | ESE 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.
Issued: 2:48 PM PST Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
Easterly flow should weaken through the passes Friday and Friday night. Friday looks to be the warmest day in the mountains with the lightest winds at all levels away from the passes. The dominant upper level ridge over the west coast will begin to break down and weaken over the weekend. This should only slightly lower freezing levels heading into the weekend. The next weather system won't arrive until Monday night or Tuesday of next week.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area.
Mostly clear and warm. Easterly flow through Cascade passes and near Mt. Hood weakening Friday afternoon through Friday night.
Mostly clear and mild. Low clouds and valley fog forming overnight.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night | Freezing Level | ' - ' | 10000' - 11000' | 10000' - 11000' | * |
| Saturday - Sunday | Freezing Level | ' - ' | 9000' - 10000' | 9500' - 10500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Freezing Level ' - ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday - Sunday |
Freezing Level ' - ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Freezing Level 10000' - 11000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday - Sunday |
Freezing Level 9000' - 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Freezing Level 10000' - 11000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday - Sunday |
Freezing Level 9500' - 10500' (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 22, 2014
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