Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday & Saturday
A frontal boundary associated with a low pressure system tracking towards the central British Columbia coast will bring generally light rain and snow to the region today along with a gradual warming trend. Precipitation is moving up and over a flattened but broad upper level ridge centered over southern California/Baja Peninsula.
Precipitation is beginning to increase this afternoon with occasionally moderate snowfall rates expected for Mt. Baker later this afternoon and evening along with moderate southerly winds at 5000 feet. Despite locally heavier precipitation at Paradise, warmer air aloft has caused a mix of precipitation types early Sunday afternoon. Snoqualmie Pass has transitioned to light rain this afternoon but Stevens Pass should continue with light snow during the day before briefly warming overnight. All areas should see peak warming Sunday night into Monday morning. Other than the Paradise area, the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood will see light precipitation from this storm.
The frontal boundary will hang up over the north Cascades and Olympics tonight and weaken as a secondary shortwave associated with the parent Pacific trough digs well off the California coast, splitting the flow over the PNW. Light rain and snow should quickly diminish Monday with some partial clearing and mild temperatures expected over the region late morning through the afternoon. The longwave trough axis will finally kick through Monday night, invigorating showers after midnight especially along the west slopes of the Cascades.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Sunday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Warming trend. |
| Sunday Night | Light rain and snow, tapering down after midnight. Mild. |
| Monday | Light rain and snow ending in the morning with partial clearing late morning through afternoon. |
| Monday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers developing in the evening. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Sunday | Periods of light rain and snow, increasing in the afternoon and becoming occasionally moderate volcanoes. Slow warming trend. |
| Sunday Night | Light rain and snow, occasionally moderate volcanoes, tapering down after midnight. Slow warming trend. |
| Monday | Light rain and snow ending in the morning with partial clearing in the afternoon. |
| Monday Night | Becoming cloudy overnight with light rain and snow showers developing and increasing after midnight. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Sunday | Periods of light rain and snow heaviest near the Cascade crest, increasing in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. |
| Sunday Night | Light rain and snow, tapering down after midnight. Slow warming trend. |
| Monday | Light rain and snow ending in the morning with partial clearing in the afternoon. |
| Monday Night | Becoming cloudy overnight with light rain and snow showers developing and increasing after midnight. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday | Periods of light rain and snow. Mild. |
| Sunday Night | Mostly cloudy. Mild. |
| Monday | Partly sunny becoming cloudy with a chance of light rain or snow showers in the afternoon. Mild. |
| Monday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Slight cooling. |
Issued: 2:39 PM PST Sunday, January 7, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 6500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 7000' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level * | 6500' | 5000' | 4500' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 7000' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level * | 6500' | 5000' | 4500' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 7000' |
| Monday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 6000' | 6000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 7500' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 6500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday 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 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| 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: 2:39 PM PST Sunday, January 7, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 | S 20 - 30 | SSE 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 | S 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 | --- - | S 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | S 5 - 15 | S 15 - 25 | SE 0 - 10 | --- - | SE 0 - 10 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 | SE 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 | --- - | E 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | SW 5 - 15 | SE 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 | --- - | SE 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | SE 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Monday Afternoon | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Monday Afternoon | E 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | SE 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Monday Afternoon | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Monday Afternoon | E 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | S 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
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: 2:39 PM PST Sunday, January 7, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
A broad upper level trough and westerly flow over the region on Tuesday should keep showers in the forecast for the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood with dropping snow levels during the day. A Puget Sound Convergence Zone could provide some moderate snowfall accumulations in the central Cascades Tuesday afternoon and evening.
A fast moving and ill-defined system in westerly flow will move through the area Wednesday at relatively low snow levels, potentially providing a nice refresh of new snow mid-week.
A much stronger low pressure will develop rapidly, tracking toward the central British Columbia coastline Thursday. This system should deliver heavy precipitation and stormy conditions, but will likely cause a rise in snow levels before it's all said and done.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | 6000' - 7000' | * |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 4000' - 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.
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 7, 2018
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