Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Tuesday
A 145 kt jet will move over the area in in cool W-NW flow aloft today. Orographic showers in westerly flow will squeeze out some light snowfall accumulations at low snow levels especially for the west slopes of the Cascades. Light shower activity seen today and tonight should wane Thursday morning, but warm frontal precipitation associated with a parent low in the NE Pacific will begin to spread light precipitation over the Cascades Thursday afternoon.
An upper level ridge will begin building offshore outside of 130W today. Over the next 48 hours, this ridge will slide slightly eastward and begin to bring warmer air into the region. Snow levels should gradually rise during the day on Thursday, and rise further Thursday night as precipitation intensifies and an occluded front passes through the Cascades. Rain will push into mid-elevations (near treeline) by early Friday morning for all areas. Precipitation looks heaviest from Snoqualmie Pass to Mt. Hood Thursday night.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light snow showers. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers becoming light rain and snow mid-day. Warming trend. |
| Thursday Night | Light rain and snow. Warming trend. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light snow showers. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers becoming light rain and snow in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. |
| Thursday Night | Light to moderate rain snow, becoming occasionally heavy Snoqualmie Pass and south after midnight. Warming trend. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light snow showers. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers becoming very light snow in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. |
| Thursday Night | Light rain and snow, becoming light to occasionally moderate central and south Cascades. Warming trend. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light snow showers. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers becoming light rain and snow in the afternoon. Warming trend. |
| Thursday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow increasing and becoming heavy overnight. Warming trend. Winds increasing. |
Issued: 2:37 PM PST Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1000' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 1000' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 2500' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 6000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 7000' | 4500' | 4000' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 8000' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 6000' | 4000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 7000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
* 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 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 0.50 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | 0 - 1.50 |
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: 2:37 PM PST Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 | S 0 - 10 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SSW 5 - 15 | SW 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | --- - | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 30 - 40 | --- - | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 40 - 50 | --- - | W 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 40 - 50 |
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: 2:37 PM PST Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
The upper ridge will amplify offshore over the long term, but it will not be strong enough to shunt precipitation north of our area. A series of systems upstream in NW flow will cut through the dirty ridge enroute to the Olympics and Washington Cascades Friday through Sunday. Snow levels will generally be on the mild side with even the northeast Cascades warming up over the weekend. Precipitation will be heaviest along the west slopes of the Cascades with much less precipitation for Mt. Hood and the east slopes of the Cascades over this period. Hurricane Ridge should be rain-shadowed relative to the rest of the Olympics in this flow pattern. Periods of strong westerly winds should also buffet the area; forecast models currently suggest Friday and again Sunday afternoon could be quite windy following the passages of sharp upper level troughs. No good (snow) news in this extended forecast.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Snow Level | 5000' - 6000' | 5500' - 6500' | 6500' - 7500' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | 5500' - 6500' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 5500' - 6500' | 7500' - 8500' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 6500' - 7500' | 7000' - 8000' | 7500' - 8500' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 6000' - 7000' | 7000' - 8000' | 7000' - 8000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 7500' - 8500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 7500' - 8500' |
| Sunday |
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 31, 2018
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