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 & Sunday
On Wednesday, the ridge has rebuilt over the Pacific Northwest keeping snow/freezing levels mild and offshore easterly flow in the light to moderate range through the short term. A weak shortwave trough which progressed to our east Tuesday night mixed the atmosphere slightly. This mixing has resulted in decreased low level cloud coverage. Isolated clouds along with cooler temperatures will be seen in the Cascade Passes, lower elevations along the east slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood. A weak upper shortwave trough embedded in a open trough rotating off the California coast will begin to move northward on Wednesday.
On Wednesday night, the ridge shifts east of the Cascades as the weak upper shortwave trough continues to move northward off the Oregon Coast.
On Thursday, occasional light precipitation spreads into region as the weak shortwave loses its identity as it begins moves northward into the Pacific Northwest on SW flow ahead of a trough to the west.
On Thursday night, moisture increases ahead of the trough that is moving eastward off the coast of British Columbia
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday | Mostly sunny and mild. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear and mild with increasing clouds high clouds after midnight. |
| Thursday | Clouds lowering in the morning with occasional light rain in the afternoon. |
| Thursday Night | Increasing light rain. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Wednesday | Mostly sunny and mild with decreasing high and mid clouds in the South Cascades in the morning. Cooler temperatures and solated low clouds in the Cascade Passes. |
| Wednesday Night | Mild with increasing high clouds in the south Cascades. |
| Thursday | Clouds increase and lower with occasional light rain arriving in the south and then central Cascades by afternoon. Precipitation should be freezing rain or snow in the passes. |
| Thursday Night | Light rain with freezing rain or snow in the passes continues and spreads northward, becoming light to moderate by morning. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday | Mostly sunny and mild at higher elevations. Colder at low elevations with isolated low clouds in valleys. |
| Wednesday Night | Mild at higher elevations with increasing clouds in the south. Colder at low elevations with isolated low clouds in valleys. |
| Thursday | Clouds increase and occasional light rain, freezing rain or snow arrives in the south and then central Cascades by afternoon. |
| Thursday Night | Light rain, freezing rain or snow spreads northward and becomes light to moderate by morning. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Mostly sunny and mild with decreasing high and mid clouds in the morning . Cooler temperatures and solated low clouds in the Cascade Passes. |
| Wednesday Night | Mild with increasing high clouds, lowering towards morning. |
| Thursday | Clouds increase and light rain and high elevation snow arrives in the late morning hours. |
| Thursday Night | Periods of light rain and high elevation snow. |
Issued: 11:18 AM PST Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | Freezing Level * | 9000' | 8500' | 7000' | ' | ' | 8000' | ' | 10000' |
| Wednesday Night | Freezing Level * | 9500' | 9500' | 7000' | ' | ' | 9500' | ' | 10000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 7000' | 6500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 7000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 9500' | 9000' | 7500' | ' | ' | 8500' | ' | 10000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 7500' | 7500' | 5500' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 7500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level * | 7000' | 7000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 7000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (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
| Sunday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 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: 11:18 AM PST Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 5 - 15 | E 5 - 15 | E 10 - 20 | --- - | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 5 - 15 | E 5 - 15 | E 10 - 20 | --- - | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 | E 10 - 20 | --- - | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSE 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 | ESE 10 - 20 | --- - | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 | SE 5 - 15 | SE 5 - 15 | --- - | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | ESE 10 - 20 | --- - | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | ESE 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 Morning | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 | --- - | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SSE 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 25 - 35 | --- - | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 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: 11:18 AM PST Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
The aforementioned trough should rotate up from the south on Thursday, bringing light showers to the mountains with an increase in clouds. A more defined but still weak frontal system will swing through on Friday from an upper low off meandering toward the PNW coast, bringing a bit heavier rain and snow. Snow levels will cool somewhat into Friday, but are still mild by January standards. The upper low will move inland on Saturday and showers should decrease during the day.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 6000' - 7000' | 7000' - 8000' | * |
| Friday | Snow Level | 5000' - 6000' | 5000' - 6000' | 5000' - 6000' | * |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 6500' - 7500' | 6500' - 7500' | 6500' - 7500' | * |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
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 Jan 3, 2018
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.
Corrected Freezing/Snow levels at 11:20AM.