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 & Tuesday
The roller-coaster ride continues in the Pacific Northwest this season. A deep upper and surface low in the Gulf of Alaska has spawned a frontal system that is tapping into subtropical moisture and temperatures.
On Sunday morning, the warm front is lifting over northern Washington, bringing significant warming and some precipitation with many areas changing from snow to rain with freezing rain in deeper valleys. The warm front will stall late Sunday morning through Sunday night upon reaching the Canadian border.
A cold front to our west is sending the bulk of the subtropical moisture and precipitation north toward Vancouver Island and the BC coast on Sunday. This front will begin to move south and east, impacting the Olympics and NW Washington Cascades after midnight bringing heavy rain and high elevation snow with it.
On Monday, The cold front continues to slowly sag southeast across Washington and into northern Oregon by Monday evening, bringing with it moderate to heavy precipitation and moderate to strong crest-level S-SW winds. The front will also bring sharp cooling as it passes and most areas of the Cascades will see that drop in temperatures and return to seasonal temperatures during the evening hours.
Washington Pass should remain snow through the duration this storm while Stevens and Snoqualmie should remain rain until a changeover to snow with the frontal passage between 7 and 10 PM Monday evening.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Sunday | Intermittent light rain and high elevation snow. Moderate to occasional strong S-SW ridge-top winds. |
| Sunday Night | Increasing moderate rain and snow, particularly after midnight. Moderate S-SW winds. |
| Monday | Light to occasional moderate rain. Moderate to occasional strong S-SW winds. |
| Monday Night | Light to occasional moderate showers. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Sunday | Moderate rain and high elevation snow in the north. A mix of clouds and sun elsewhere. Significant warming everywhere with moderate S-SE winds becoming S-SW. |
| Sunday Night | Increasing moderate to occasional heavy rain north Cascades, mostly after midnight. Cloudy with clouds lowering and thickening toward morning. |
| Monday | Moderate to heavy rain and high elevation snow spreading throughout the west slopes by late morning and increasing in the afternoon. |
| Monday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and higher elevation snow in the evening becoming light to moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest north Cascades in convergence. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Sunday | Moderate rain and high elevation snow in the north. A mix of clouds and sun elsewhere. Significant warming everywhere with moderate S-SE winds becoming S-SW. |
| Sunday Night | Increasing light to moderate rain and high elevation snow north Cascades, mostly after midnight. Cloudy with clouds lowering and thickening toward morning. |
| Monday | Moderate to heavy rain and high elevation snow spreading throughout the west slopes by late morning and increasing in the afternoon. |
| Monday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and higher elevation snow in the evening becoming light rain and snow showers, heaviest north Cascades in convergence. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday | A mix of clouds and sun. |
| Sunday Night | Fair with increasing clouds. |
| Monday | Cloudy with light rain developing by evening. Increasing strong S-SW alpine winds. |
| Monday Night | Moderate to heavy rain in the evening becoming light to moderate showers after midnight. Decreasing Strong S-SW alpine winds, becoming moderate after midnight. |
Issued: 2:53 PM PST Sunday, January 28, 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 | 7500' | 5500' | 5000' | ' | ' | 7000' | ' | 8500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level * | 8000' | 6500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 7000' | ' | 8500' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level * | 8000' | 6000' | 6000' | ' | ' | 7000' | ' | 8500' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 5500' | 5500' | 5000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 7500' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Tuesday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 2.00 - 2.50 | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 0 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
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: 2:53 PM PST Sunday, January 28, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 15 - 25 | --- - | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 30 - 40 | S 25 - 35 | SSW 20 - 30 | --- - | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 | SSE 25 - 35 | S 30 - 40 | --- - | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | S 20 - 30 | S 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 30 - 40 | --- - | W 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Night | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 | WSW 40 - 60 | WSW 50 - 70 | --- - | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Night | SW 40 - 60 | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 45 - 65 | --- - | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Monday Morning | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 50 - 70 | --- - | SW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 | SW 45 - 65 | SW 50 - 70 | --- - | SW 65 - 85 |
| Monday Night | WSW 45 - 65 | WSW 40 - 60 | WSW 45 - 65 | --- - | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Night | SW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
| Monday Night | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
| Monday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Monday Morning | SW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Night | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Monday Morning | SW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 65 - 85 |
| Monday Night | WSW 60 - 80 |
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: 2:53 PM PST Sunday, January 28, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
On Tuesday a cool westerly flow will will continue behind the front as the upper level low pressure associated with the departed storm moves onshore in Northern British Columbia. Light to moderate showers with convergence zone activity at times Tuesday afternoon in the central and north Cascades can be expected.
The cool westerly flow continues to bring showers on Wednesday. On Wednesday night some modest warming will arrive on a SW flow as an upper ridge begins to build in offshore.
On Thursday, a stronger and sharper warm front arrives with increasing rain and snow and stronger warming.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 500' - 1500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 5000' | 5500' - 7500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 5500' - 7500' |
* 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 28, 2018
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