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 & Tuesday
A broad upper trough over much of Canada has pushed south over the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday bringing much cooler and more seasonal temperatures.
A cool and slightly unstable air mass is bringing intermittent snow showers to the Olympics and Cascades on a moderate W-SW flow. The forecast region will continue to see snow shower activity at low snow levels for the duration of Tuesday through Wednesday night with a very gradual decrease in the shower activity with time as the westerly flow begins to weaken and warmer air aloft begins working into the region making the air mass more stable as a ridge starts building offshore.
On Tuesday afternoon, moderate intensity scattered snow showers with some graupel (rimed snow) mixed in and resulting from the convection and instability. Tuesday's snowfall will continue to be low density and cold.
Snowfall totals Wednesday through Wednesday night are expected to be 8" or less at most NWAC stations with the central Cascades picking up the most snow.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Tuesday | Light snow showers. |
| Tuesday Night | Light snow showers. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Light snow showers becoming more steady very light snow. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Tuesday | Light to moderate snow showers with generally higher intensities near Paradise and Mt. Baker. |
| Tuesday Night | Generally light snow showers with higher intensities likely in convergence near Mt. Baker during the evening hours. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Light snow showers becoming more steady very light snow. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Tuesday | Generally light snow showers. |
| Tuesday Night | Generally light snow showers. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Light snow showers becoming more steady very light snow. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday | Light to moderate snow showers. |
| Tuesday Night | Light snow showers. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Light snow showers becoming more steady very light snow. |
Issued: 3:20 PM PST Tuesday, January 30, 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 | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 3000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | ' | ' | 1000' | ' | 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1000' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1500' | 2000' | 1500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 3000' | 2000' | 1500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
* 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 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.75 - 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
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: 3:20 PM PST Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | --- - | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 50 | WSW 40 - 60 | --- - | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 35 - 50 | --- - | W 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Tuesday Night | W 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | W 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 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: 3:20 PM PST Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
A ridge will continue to build offshore Thursday through Saturday, bringing warming to the Pacific Northwest, with particularly strong warming expected Thursday through Friday. The Pacific Northwest will remain downstream of the ridge with a series of shortwave systems running over the top of the ridge.
The first of these systems arrives on Thursday and will bring a warm front and significant warming across the region as it lifts northward. A shortwave trough will bring some cooling and strong westerly crest-level winds on Friday with a gradual warming into Saturday and sustained moderate W or W-NW flow at crest level. Stay tuned to the forecast because the models don't predict the strength and timing of these shortwave systems very well 4-5 days in advance.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | 5000' - 7000' | |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 5500' - 7500' | 7500' - 8500' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | 4400' - 5500' | 5000' - 6000' | 6500' - 8500' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | 7000' - 8000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 6000' - 7000' | 7000' - 8000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 4400' - 5500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' - 7500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 5000' - 7000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7500' - 8500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 6500' - 8500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
* 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 30, 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.