Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Monday & Monday
The Pacific Northwest sits at the eastern edge of a band of thick clouds and generally heavy precipitation currently extending from central Vancouver Island to the Olympics and Northwest Cascades. The jetstream is dropping south around an upper low in the eastern gulf of Alaska and picking up subtropical moisture east of Hawaii. Snow levels are elevated Monday morning: Approximately 7000 ft in the Olympics and 6000 ft along the west slopes of the Cascades.
During the day Monday, the cold frontal rainband will sag slowly southeast across Washington State. The approaching front will bring moderate to heavy rain and high elevation snow along with increasing moderate to strong crest-level SSW winds The strongest winds will likely be along the west slopes of the Cascades in the south and central parts, particularly from 2-4 PM.
By Monday afternoon the cold front will begin to move more quickly on its SE trajectory, limiting the duration of the heavy precipitation over the central and south Cascades and Hood regions relative to the Olympics and north Cascades.
Washington Pass should see all snow at pass level, while Stevens and Snoqualmie passes will see all rain as the front approaches.
The front will pass the Olympics and NW Cascades around 2PM and the rest of the Cascade crest around 4PM. The frontal passage will be associated with rapid cooling and a switch to W-SW winds. The Olympics will cool first with a 4000 foot changeover to snow by around 4 PM, followed by the west slopes of the Cascades by around 7PM, and lastly the east slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood between 7 and 10 PM.
On Monday night through Tuesday night a shallow trough over our region will bring light to moderate mountain-enhanced snow showers on a moderately moist W-SW flow. Some convergence will be associated with moderate to heavy snow generally north of Stevens Pass at various times.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Monday | Moderate rain and high elevation snow. Moderate to strong ridgetop winds. Snow line lowing sharply at the end of the day. |
| Monday Night | Light to moderate snow showers. |
| Tuesday | Light to moderate snow showers. |
| Tuesday Night | Decreasing light to moderate snow showers. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Monday | Moderate to heavy rain and high elevation snow in the north spreading southward during the afternoon and becoming heavy in most locations by the end of the day. Moderate to strong S-SW winds. |
| Monday Night | Heavy rain and snow decreasing and becoming light to moderate snow showers by 10 PM. Heavier snow in convergence possible north of Stevens Pass. |
| Tuesday | Light to occasional moderate snow showers. Heavier snow in convergence possible north of Stevens Pass. |
| Tuesday Night | Light to occasional moderate snow showers. Heavier snow in convergence possible north of Stevens Pass. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Monday | Moderate to heavy rain and mid-to-high elevation snow in the north spreading southward during the afternoon and becoming heavy in most locations by the end of the day. Moderate S and S-SE crest-level winds, possibly becoming strong by afternoon in the south. |
| Monday Night | Heavy rain and snow decreasing and becoming light snow showers by 10 PM. Heavier snow in convergence possible north of Stevens Pass. |
| Tuesday | Light snow showers. Heavier snow in convergence possible north of Stevens Pass. |
| Tuesday Night | Light snow showers. Heavier snow in convergence possible north of Stevens Pass. |
Mt. Hood
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with clouds thickening and lowering in the afternoon. Rain and snow arriving around 4 PM. Moderate SW winds becoming strong to very strong late in the day in the alpine. |
| Monday Night | Heavy rain and high elevation snow along with strong to very strong SW winds during the evening . Alpine winds becoming moderate to strong as precipitation decreases to light snow showers after midnight. |
| Tuesday | Light snow showers. |
| Tuesday Night | Light snow showers |
Issued: 7:33 AM PST Monday, January 29, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Morning | Snow Level * | 7000' | 4500' | 5000' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 7000' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 3500' | 4500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 7000' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 3500' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 2500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 2500' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 1000' | 1000' | 0' | ' | ' | 1000' | ' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
* 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
| Monday | Monday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 2.00 - 2.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Washington Pass | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| White Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0 - 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: 7:33 AM PST Monday, January 29, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 30 - 40 | SSE 35 - 50 | SW 35 - 50 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SSE 35 - 50 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SSE 35 - 50 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 50 - 70 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 60 - 80 | --- - | SW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 55 - 75 | SW 55 - 75 | SW 60 - 80 | --- - | SW 65 - 85 |
| Monday Night | WSW 40 - 60 | WSW 45 - 65 | WSW 45 - 65 | --- - | WSW 70 - 90 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 50 | SW 40 - 60 | --- - | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 50 | SW 40 - 60 | --- - | SW 35 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | --- - | W 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 55 - 75 |
| Monday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 55 - 75 |
| Monday Night | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 60 - 80 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 60 - 80 |
| Monday Night | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Tuesday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | SW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 65 - 85 |
| Monday Night | WSW 70 - 90 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | W 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 29, 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.