Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
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.
By Tuesday afternoon, a band of deep, moisture-laden clouds sits squarely over Washington state. The clouds are from a frontal system attached by an occluded front to a low tracking northward, west of the Queen Charlotte Islands.
During the day Tuesday the frontal system slowly progresses eastward, bringing stormy weather, significant precipitation (mostly snow), and continued warming.
Overnight, the cold front re-orients to N-S, which keeps the heavy precipitation over the Cascades. Stormy weather will continue overnight. Warming will continue and rain is back in the forecast for pass level at Snoqualmie late tonight, but snow levels should remain below Stevens pass. Significant additional precipitation will occur in many areas.
On Wednesday, the front sags south without bringing cooling and with easterly flow weakened freezing levels may approach pass level during the mid-morning at Stevens. Mt. Baker base should remain snow through the duration of the storm. A weak upper level and surface feature tracks toward Vancouver island bringing a brief band of increased wind and rain, particularly to the Olympics and Northwest Cascades.
On Wednesday night a slightly more organized upper/surface low and attached cold front will be poised in our coastal waters as the first feature exits north.
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. |
| Wednesday Night | Light snow showers. |
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. |
| Wednesday Night | Light snow showers. |
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. |
| Wednesday Night | Light snow showers. |
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. |
| Wednesday Night | Light rain and snow. |
Issued: 3:10 PM PST Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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' | 2500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 1500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 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 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 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 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 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 - 1.00 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 2.00 - 2.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 - 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.50 - 0.70 |
| Paradise | 2.00 - 2.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| White Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 0 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
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: 3:10 PM PST Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 25 - 35 | S 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 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 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 Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 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 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 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 Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 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 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 30 - 50 | SSW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 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 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 Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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.
Issued: 3:10 PM PST Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
A shortwave upper level and weak surface feature will track onshore on Thursday, bringing another round of modestly enhance snow and winds.
Thursday night, flow becomes more westerly and snowfall rates should generally increase for the Cascades through Friday.
On Saturday, a more potent low will bring initial significant warming to some areas during the daylight hours, with even more significant warming poised for overnight Saturday into Sunday. Significant model uncertainty exists regarding the timing of this feature.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 3000' | |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 0' - 1000' | 1000' - 2000' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 2000' - 4000' | 2000' - 4000' | 3500' - 5500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 2000' - 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 2000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 1000' - 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' - 5500' |
* 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 23, 2018
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