Issued: 8:01 AM PST Tuesday, January 23, 2018
by Robert Hahn

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k

Weather Synopsis for Tuesday & Sunday

An active pattern continues without showing signs of relenting resulting from a deep low in the gulf of Alaska spawning storm development in our region.

On Tuesday morning, a short warm-front lifts moisture over Washington State with a SSW-NNE oriented cold front poised behind it just offshore.  These fronts are attached to the parent low by an occluded front. The low will track north during the daylight hours, to west of the Queen Charlotte Islands.

During the day Tuesday the frontal system slowly progresses eastward, bringing stormy weather, significant precipitation (mostly snow), and significant warming to the Hood and Olympic regions during the daylight hours.

Overnight, the cold front re-orients to N-S, which keeps the heavy precipitation over the Cascades. Stormy weather will continue overnight. Warming will also continue, but will likely not be as significant as previously forecast with a changeover to rain still possible at Snoqualmie pass but unlikely at Stevens Pass. Significant additional precipitation will occur in many areas.

On Wednesday, the front sags south without bringing much cooling. A weak upper level features bringing bands of increased wind and rain.

On Wednesday night a slightly more organized upper/surface low and attached cold front will be poised in our coastal waters.

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Tuesday Stormy with moderate to strong ridge-top winds, significant warming and moderate rain/snow.
Tuesday Night Moderate rain/snow becoming light after midnight. Stormy in the evening with decreasing ridge-top winds after midnight.
Wednesday Light rain and snow showers with periods of moderate.
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
Tuesday Increasingly stormy with moderate to occasionally strong crest-level winds, some warming and and increasing moderate to heavy rain/snow.
Tuesday Night Moderate to heavy rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the north and moderate in the south after midnight. Stormy in the evening hours with moderate to strong crest-level winds decreasing after midnight.
Wednesday Light rain and snow showers with periods of moderate.
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
Tuesday Increasingly stormy with moderate to occasionally strong crest-level winds. Increasing light rain/snow in the north in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon. Increasing moderate in the central/south becoming moderate to heavy in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night Moderate to snow becoming light to moderate in the north and moderate in the south after midnight. Stormy in the evening hours with moderate to strong crest-level winds decreasing after midnight.
Wednesday Light rain and snow showers with periods of moderate.
Mt. Hood
Tuesday Increasing moderate to strong winds will be accompanied by increasing light to moderate rain and snow picking up in the late morning.
Tuesday Night Moderate rain and snow. Stormy.
Wednesday Moderate rain and snow.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Tuesday Morning Snow Level * 4000' 2000' 1000' ' ' 2000' ' 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level * 5000' 2500' 1500' ' ' 2500' ' 4500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level * 4500' 2500' 1500' ' ' 3000' ' 5000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level * 4000' 3000' 2500' ' ' 3500' ' 5000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level * 2000' 25000' 3500' ' ' 3000' ' 3500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
25000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
2000'
Washington Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
2000'
Leavenworth Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'

* 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 0 - 1.00 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 - 1.50 0.75 - 1.00
Washington Pass 0 - 1.50 0.50 - 0.75
Stevens Pass 1.00 - 1.50 0 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass 2.00 - 2.50 0.50 - 0.75
Mission Ridge 0 - 1.00 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 2.00 - 2.50 0.75 - 1.00
Paradise 2.50 - 3.50 0 - 1.50
White Pass 1.00 - 1.50 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 1.00 - 1.50 0.50 - 0.75
0 - 1.50 0 - 0.75

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Tuesday Morning SSE 35 - 50 SE 20 - 30 SE 20 - 30 --- - SE 25 - 35
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 30 SE 20 - 30 SE 30 - 40 --- - SSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Night SSW 25 - 35 ESE 25 - 35 SE 30 - 50 --- - SSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning SW 20 - 30 S 15 - 25 S 15 - 25 --- - WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon E 10 - 20 SE 5 - 15 S 5 - 15 --- - SW 20 - 30
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Tuesday Morning SSE 35 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Night SSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning SW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon E 10 - 20
Wednesday Night SW 25 - 35
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Morning SE 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon SE 20 - 30
Tuesday Night ESE 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning S 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon SE 5 - 15
Wednesday Night S 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning SE 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon SE 30 - 40
Tuesday Night SE 30 - 50
Wednesday Morning S 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon S 5 - 15
Wednesday Night SW 20 - 30
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Tuesday Morning --- -
Tuesday Afternoon --- -
Tuesday Night --- -
Wednesday Morning --- -
Wednesday Afternoon --- -
Wednesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Morning SE 25 - 35
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Night SSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon SW 20 - 30
Wednesday Night WSW 25 - 35
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning SSE 35 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Night SSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning SW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon E 10 - 20
Wednesday Night SW 25 - 35
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning SE 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon SE 20 - 30
Tuesday Night ESE 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning S 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon SE 5 - 15
Wednesday Night S 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning SE 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon SE 30 - 40
Tuesday Night SE 30 - 50
Wednesday Morning S 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon S 5 - 15
Wednesday Night SW 20 - 30
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning --- -
Tuesday Afternoon --- -
Tuesday Night --- -
Wednesday Morning --- -
Wednesday Afternoon --- -
Wednesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning SE 25 - 35
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Night SSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon SW 20 - 30
Wednesday Night WSW 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.

Free Winds at 9000' (mph)

Mt. Baker Washington Pass Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Tuesday Morning SSW 40 - 60 SSW 30 - 40 SSW 35 - 50 --- - WSW 45 - 65
Tuesday Afternoon SW 35 - 50 SW 35 - 50 SW 45 - 65 --- - WSW 40 - 60
Tuesday Night SSW 50 - 70 SSW 45 - 65 SSW 50 - 70 --- - SW 40 - 60
Wednesday Morning SSW 30 - 40 S 20 - 30 S 20 - 30 --- - SSW 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 25 - 35 SSW 20 - 30 SSW 25 - 35 --- - SW 45 - 65
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning SSW 40 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon SW 35 - 50
Tuesday Night SSW 50 - 70
Wednesday Morning SSW 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Night SSW 30 - 50
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning SSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon SW 35 - 50
Tuesday Night SSW 45 - 65
Wednesday Morning S 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Night SSW 25 - 35
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning SSW 35 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon SW 45 - 65
Tuesday Night SSW 50 - 70
Wednesday Morning S 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Night SW 30 - 40
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning --- -
Tuesday Afternoon --- -
Tuesday Night --- -
Wednesday Morning --- -
Wednesday Afternoon --- -
Wednesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning WSW 45 - 65
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 40 - 60
Tuesday Night SW 40 - 60
Wednesday Morning SSW 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon SW 45 - 65
Wednesday Night SSW 40 - 60

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.

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k

Previous forecast from Jan 23, 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.