Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Wednesday
A frontal system emanating from a broad upper level trough in the Gulf of Alaska will hang up over the Olympics and north Cascades today before weakening as it slides further south tonight. This should result in light to moderate snow for the Olympics and north Cascades and not much in the way of precipitation for areas further south during the daylight hours. As of 2 pm, both Hurricane Ridge and Mt. Baker had picked up about 10 inches of snow. An increase in SW winds out ahead of the front and a gradual lowering of cloud bases for the south and central Washington Cascades should occur as well.
Showers should taper down Friday night but the upper level trough will dig off the PNW coast later tonight into Saturday. A weak surface low should develop on Saturday off the WA/OR coast and begin to enhance showers in the afternoon. This pattern favors orographic enhancement for the SW Cascades (Paradise and to a lesser extent Crystal and White Pass) along with the east slopes of the Cascades. Showers should diminish on Saturday for the northwest Cascades.
As local N-NE winds increase Saturday afternoon and night for the Olympics, a period of upslope snow showers for the north slopes of the Olympics may produce locally moderate amounts of snow. Mt. Hood will finally have some new snow to enjoy as snowfall increases Saturday afternoon through Saturday night.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Friday |
Light to moderate rain and snow. |
| Friday Night |
Cloudy light rain and snow showers becoming mostly cloudy and scattered overnight. |
| Saturday |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to locally moderate snow showers for the north slopes of the Olympics. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Friday |
Light to moderate rain and snow north Cascades. Partly to mostly cloudy south and central Cascades with increasing clouds today. Light rain and snow developing central Cascades in the afternoon. |
| Friday Night |
Light rain and snow showers becoming scattered overnight. |
| Saturday |
Light rain and snow showers becoming locally moderate south and central Cascades. Showers decreasing north Cascades. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to locally moderate rain and snow showers south and central Cascades. Becoming partly to mostly clear north Cascades. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Friday |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing northeast Cascades. Partly to mostly cloudy southeast and central-east Cascades with increasing clouds today. Light rain and snow developing central-east Cascades late in the afternoon. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly cloudy with scattered rain and snow showers. |
| Saturday |
Cloudy with light rain and snow showers becoming locally moderate southeast and central-east Cascades. |
| Saturday Night |
Cloudy with light to locally moderate rain and snow showers southeast and central-east Cascades. Becoming partly to mostly clear northeast Cascades. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Friday |
High overcast. |
| Friday Night |
Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. |
| Saturday |
Light rain and snow showers. |
| Saturday Night |
Moderate rain and snow showers. |
Issued: 3:03 PM PST Friday, December 1, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 2500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 4000' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3500' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 2500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
* 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
| Wednesday | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 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: 3:03 PM PST Friday, December 1, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SSW 5 - 15 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | ENE 5 - 15 | NE 0 - 10 | ESE 0 - 10 | --- - | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | N 5 - 15 | N 0 - 10 | WNW 5 - 15 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | N 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | NE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | N 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | N 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | NE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | N 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 35 - 45 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 | SE 0 - 10 | S 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | NE 5 - 15 | VAR 0 - 10 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | NE 5 - 15 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday 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.
Issued: 3:03 PM PST Friday, December 1, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
A strong upper level ridge located offshore on Sunday will build and slowly shift closer to the Pacific coastline through Tuesday. A drying and clearing trend will also begin Sunday afternoon and continue through Tuesday. Cool conditions will persist through Monday, but warmer temperatures at mid and high elevations should begin to show up on Tuesday, reflective of the strong ridge. Offshore flow through the Passes should begin to develop on Tuesday as higher pressure builds east of the Cascades.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers in the morning. Showers ending in the afternoon with clearing skies. Colder.
Mostly clear.
Mostly clear.
Mostly clear. Areas of low fog in the Passes and valleys.
Mostly clear. Areas of low fog in the Passes and valleys.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | 2500' - 3500' | |
| Sunday Night | Freezing Level | 0' - 1000' | 500' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | |
| Monday | Freezing Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Monday Night | Freezing Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2000' - 3000' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Tuesday | Freezing Level | 7000' - 8000' | 6000' - 8000' | 6000' - 8000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 0' - 1000' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Tuesday |
Freezing Level 7000' - 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 500' - 1500' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Tuesday |
Freezing Level 6000' - 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 500' - 1500' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Tuesday |
Freezing Level 6000' - 8000' (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 Dec 1, 2017
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