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 & Thursday
Warm frontal moisture that streamed over a flattened upper level ridge in NW flow aloft is coming to an end this afternoon. In this pattern, significant rain-shadowing or downslope drying will occur on the leeward side of the Cascade and Olympic ranges.
Snow levels will peak this afternoon in the 4500-5000 ft range in the north Cascades and 5500-6000 in the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. Snoqualmie Pass saw rain at Pass level with over an additional 6-8 inches of heavy wet snow from mid-Alpental to the top of Denny Mt. Upper stations at Stevens Pass and Mt. Baker saw moderate amounts of wet snow. Mt. Hood escaped the bulk of the precipitation but not the strong westerly winds with this event. Winds near Cascades crest level will stay elevated during the short term period.
The upper level ridge will rebuild around 135W on Wednesday but moisture from a weak system upstream off the northern British Columbia coast will slip clouds and perhaps even a little light rain and snow into the northwest Cascades during the day. The chance for light precipitation increases Wednesday night for the Olympics and central/south Washington Cascades as the frontal boundary slowly sags south and collapses the upper level ridge.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Tuesday | Light to moderate rain and snow, heaviest west slopes of the Olympics decreasing in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. |
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers quickly tapering down in the evening. Becoming mostly cloudy after midnight. Cooling trend. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with periods of very light rain and snow. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Tuesday | Light to moderate rain and snow, heaviest Snoqualmie Pass and Paradise. Rain and snow decreasing in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. Windy. |
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers quickly tapering down in the evening. Becoming mostly cloudy after midnight. Cooling trend. Moderate to strong alpine winds. |
| Wednesday | Periods of very light rain and snow Mt. Baker area. Cloudy elsewhere. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with very light rain and snow north Cascades spreading to the central and south Cascades overnight. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Tuesday | Periods of light rain and snow, occasionally becoming moderate near the Cascade crest. Rain and snow decreasing in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. Windy. |
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers quickly tapering down in the evening. Cooling trend. Moderate to strong alpine winds. |
| Wednesday | Partly to mostly cloudy. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with very light rain and snow north Cascades spreading to the central and south Cascades overnight. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday | Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. Slow warming trend. Windy. |
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers quickly tapering down in the evening. Becoming mostly cloudy after midnight. Cooling trend. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Wednesday | Mostly cloudy becoming partly sunny in the afternoon. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Increasing clouds overnight. |
Issued: 3:34 PM PDT Tuesday, March 27, 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 | 6000' | 4500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 6000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 2500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 3000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | 2500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 5500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| 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 5000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| 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 6000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Thursday | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0 - 1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
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: 3:34 PM PDT Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 40 | --- - | W 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | --- - | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | --- - | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 10 - 20 |
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 | W 30 - 40 | W 50 - 60 | WNW 45 - 55 | --- - | NW 45 - 55 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 35 - 45 | W 35 - 45 | NW 50 - 60 | --- - | NW 45 - 55 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 35 - 45 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 45 - 55 | --- - | NW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 35 - 45 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 40 - 50 | --- - | NW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 25 - 35 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 35 - 45 | --- - | NW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 50 - 60 |
| Tuesday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Morning | NW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WNW 45 - 55 |
| Tuesday Night | NW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Morning | NW 45 - 55 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | NW 45 - 55 |
| Tuesday Night | NW 45 - 55 |
| Wednesday Morning | NW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 30 - 40 |
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: 3:34 PM PDT Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
The pattern of NW flow aloft and weak disturbances sending light amounts of precipitation and moisture into the Pacific Northwest will continue Thursday and Friday. The Olympics and Mt. Baker area will experience clouds and drippiness much of the time with a transition to less clouds and more warmth further east and south. Mt. Hood should see the most sunshine and warmest temperatures in the pattern. Forecast models diverge on the weekend forecast but we will lean toward the drier solution for Saturday.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | 5500' - 6500' | |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | 6000' - 7000' | |
| Friday Night | Freezing Level | 3500' - 4500' | 4500' - 5500' | 6500' - 7500' | |
| Saturday | Freezing Level | 4500' - 5500' | 5000' - 6000' | 7000' - 8000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Saturday |
Freezing Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Saturday |
Freezing 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 Mar 27, 2018
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