Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Wednesday
A low pressure system off the coast of central Vancouver Island has spread heavy warm frontal precipitation over the region today with an occluded front passing through the Cascades mid-afternoon. Precipitation and winds will be heaviest/strongest from the central Washington Cascades and south to Mt. Hood. Less wind, precipitation and warming is expected for the Olympics and Mt. Baker area as the low pressure system weakens and takes a due eastward track today.
Snow levels in the Paradise/Crystal area should peak in the 5000-5500 ft range through early afternoon. The Passes will hold onto cool easterly flow until the frontal passage this afternoon, with Snoqualmie Pass seeing a change to rain by late afternoon and Stevens Pass likely seeing rain to 4500 feet later in the evening as the colder air becomes mixed out.
Post frontal shower activity continues Thursday night but will begin to wane during the day on Friday and westerlies will come down a notch as upper level ridging quickly builds over our near shore waters. Snow levels will settle into the 4000-5000 foot range Friday. Despite the ridge axis moving over the Cascades Friday night, warm frontal precipitation from a low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska will slip some light rain and snow under the ridge, mainly for the Olympics and north/central Cascades. Snow levels will begin to climb overnight during light precipitation.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Thursday | Moderate rain and snow. Slow warming trend. |
| Thursday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers decreasing after midnight. Breezy overnight. |
| Friday | Light rain and snow showers tapering in the afternoon but remaining cloudy. |
| Friday Night | Light rain and snow increasing after midnight. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Thursday | Stormy conditions developing with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow except light to moderate Mt. Baker area with less wind. Rain mixing in at Snoqualmie Pass late afternoon. Slow warming trend. |
| Thursday Night | Moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest central and south Washington Cascades decreasing after midnight. Rain mixing in at Stevens Pass overnight. Windy. |
| Friday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers tapering in the afternoon but remaining cloudy. |
| Friday Night | Light rain and snow increasing after midnight north and central Cascades, periods of light rain and snow south Washington Cascades. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Thursday | Stormy conditions developing with moderate rain and snow near the crest and strong alpine winds. Slow warming trend. |
| Thursday Night | Moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest near the crest decreasing after midnight. Rain mixing in at lower elevations along the east slopes overnight. Windy. |
| Friday | Light rain and snow showers tapering in the afternoon but remaining cloudy. |
| Friday Night | Light rain and snow increasing after midnight northeast and central-east Cascades, periods of light rain and snow southeast Washington Cascades. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday | Stormy conditions developing with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Warming trend peaking late morning through mid-day with slight cooling by late afternoon. |
| Thursday Night | Moderate rain and snow showers decreasing after midnight. Very windy. |
| Friday | Light rain and snow showers tapering in the afternoon and becoming mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Winds decreasing during the day. |
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow after midnight. |
Issued: 2:51 PM PST Thursday, January 11, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Mid-day | Snow Level * | 4000' | 2500' | 2000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 6500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 5500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 5000' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 5500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 5000' | 4500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 4500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 6000' | 4500' | 4000' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 6500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mid-day |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mid-day |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mid-day |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday 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
| Wednesday | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 2.00 - 3.00 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.50 - 2.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 3.00 - 4.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| White Pass | 0 - 2.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.50 - 2.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 2.00 - 3.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
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: 2:51 PM PST Thursday, January 11, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | SE 5 - 15 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 45 - 55 |
| Thursday Night | S 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 55 |
| Thursday Night | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 55 |
| Thursday Night | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
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 Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 45 - 60 | --- - | SW 65 - 75 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 35 - 45 | --- - | SW 45 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 30 - 40 | --- - | W 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | --- - | W 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | W 35 - 45 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 65 - 75 |
| Thursday Night | SW 45 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| 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.
Issued: 2:51 PM PST Thursday, January 11, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
Warm frontal precipitation will brush the Olympics and north and central Cascades for the first half of Saturday. The upper level ridge over the west coast will amplify and allow for a partial clearing trend, especially for the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. Snow/freezing levels will continue their upward trend Saturday and stay mild through the rest of the extended period. Sunday should see more sun than clouds as the upper level ridge axis shifts into eastern Washington, but still some high clouds may pass through the area from the a frontal system well offshore. The next frontal system will be north-south oriented and slowly move precipitation into the region during the day on Monday with only a slight drop in snow levels.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Snow Level | 6000' - 7000' | 6500' - 7500' | 8000' - 9000' | |
| Saturday Night | Freezing Level | 9000' - 10000' | 9500' - 10500' | 10500' - 11500' | * |
| Sunday | Freezing Level | 10000' - 11000' | 10000' - 11000' | 11000' - 12000' | * |
| Sunday Night | Freezing Level | 7000' - 8000' | 6000' - 7000' | 9000' - 10000' | * |
| Monday | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 5000' - 6000' | 6500' - 7500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 9000' - 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 10000' - 11000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 7000' - 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 9500' - 10500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 10000' - 11000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday |
Snow Level 8000' - 9000' |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 10500' - 11500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 11000' - 12000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 9000' - 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' (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 11, 2018
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