Issued: 3:22 PM PST Saturday, November 24, 2018
by Robert Hahn

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Sunday

Saturday night and Sunday will be the calm before very wet and mild weather early next week.

A weak high pressure holds over the Pacific Northwest Saturday night and through the day on Sunday. A weak frontal system trailing from a low in the Gulf of Alaska will bring high clouds and a few showers to the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula, but precipitation will generally remain offshore until the stronger frontal system offshore eastward. This stronger front taps into subtropical moisture and is associated with a low just south of the Aleutian Islands. Expect warming, increasing S-SW winds, and the onset of precipitation (first to the Olympic peninsula) late Sunday afternoon. Cool (but not cold) air east of the Cascade crest will be in place as easterly low level flow increases.

Sunday night the frontal firehose of moisture will move into our nearshore waters with significant warming aloft across our region as winds increase out ahead of the system.

On Monday, precipitation will rapidly increase over the Olympics and Northwest Cascades (particularly Mt. Baker where more than 2 inches of rain are likely by the end of the day). Most precipitation will be in the form of rain west of the Cascade Crest as snow levels continue to rise ahead of the front. However, a wintry mix is likely in the Cascade Passes Monday morning with precipitation initially starting as freezing rain or Snow at Snoqualmie and changing to rain later in the morning. The wintry mix will likely hold on a bit longer at Stevens Pass and through much of the day on Monday at Washington Pass, but precipitation amounts are not impressive at the passes due to the orientation of the storm system.

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Saturday Night High clouds. Light S-SW winds becoming light to moderate.
Mt. Baker
Saturday Night High clouds.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Saturday Night High clouds. Increasing easterly flow through the passes becoming light to moderate.
Mt. Rainier and Crystal
Saturday Night High clouds.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Saturday Night Mostly clear and cool with thin high clouds.
Mt. Hood
Saturday Night High clouds. Rapidly rising freezing levels.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Saturday Evening Freezing Level * 4500' 3000' 2500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 4000' 5500'
Saturday Night Freezing Level * 6500' 4000' 2500' 2000' 3000' 3000' 4000' 6000'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level * 8000' 6500' 4500' 3500' 4500' 4000' 7500' 8500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level * 7000' 6000' 3500' 3500' 4000' 5500' 6500' 8000'
Sunday Evening Snow Level * 7500' 6500' 3000' 4000' 4000' 6000' 7000' 8000'
Sunday Night Snow Level * 8500' 7000' 3000' 4500' 5000' 7000' 7000' 8500'
Monday Morning Snow Level * 9000' 7500' 5500' 6000' 5500' 7000' 7000' 8000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Freezing Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening Snow Level
7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
8500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
9000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
8500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Freezing Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Freezing Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Freezing Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
8500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Snow Level
8500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)

* 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

Saturday Night Sunday Sunday Night Sunday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0.75
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 0 LT 0.10 2.00
Washington Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 0.25
Stevens Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Leavenworth 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise 0 0 LT 0.25 0.50
White Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0 LT 0.10 0.25
0 0 LT 0.10 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.75
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 2.00
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0.50
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.25

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15 SSW 5 - 15 SW 5 - 15 SSW 5 - 15 SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night SW 15 - 25 SSW 10 - 20 SSE 10 - 20 S 10 - 20 S 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SSW 15 - 25 S 15 - 25 SSE 15 - 25 SSE 10 - 20 SSE 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night SW 15 - 25
Sunday Morning SSW 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon S 30 - 45
Mt. Baker Elevation
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night SSW 10 - 20
Sunday Morning S 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon S 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening SW 5 - 15
Saturday Night SSE 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SSE 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon SSE 15 - 25
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night S 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SSE 10 - 20
Sunday Afternoon SSE 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night S 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SSE 10 - 20
Sunday Afternoon SSW 5 - 15
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night SW 15 - 25
Sunday Morning SSW 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon S 30 - 45
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night SSW 10 - 20
Sunday Morning S 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon S 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SW 5 - 15
Saturday Night SSE 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SSE 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon SSE 15 - 25
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night S 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SSE 10 - 20
Sunday Afternoon SSE 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Saturday Night S 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SSE 10 - 20
Sunday Afternoon SSW 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
Saturday Evening W 15 - 25 W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 NW 5 - 15
Saturday Night W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 WNW 10 - 20
Sunday Morning W 15 - 25 W 10 - 15 WNW 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 15 - 25
Saturday Night W 10 - 20
Sunday Morning W 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 10 - 20
Saturday Night W 10 - 20
Sunday Morning W 10 - 15
Sunday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 10 - 20
Saturday Night W 10 - 20
Sunday Morning WNW 10 - 20
Sunday Afternoon WSW 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 10 - 20
Saturday Night W 10 - 20
Sunday Morning W 10 - 20
Sunday Afternoon WSW 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening NW 5 - 15
Saturday Night WNW 10 - 20
Sunday Morning W 10 - 20
Sunday Afternoon W 10 - 20

Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday

On Monday night and Tuesday morning the frontal system with a broad trough offshore will aim the firehose of subtropical moisture squarely at the Olympics and Northwest Cascades with very significant rain totals in favored locations. Frontal passage is likely in most locations on Tuesday morning. 

After the front, precipitation will drastically decrease and become showery while snow levels will gradually slowly lower. Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night with  rain showers transitioning to snow showers at mid and high elevation locations.

Precipitation totals (mostly rain) for Monday night and Tuesday are likely to be around 4" for Mt. Baker, 3" for Paradise, and 2" for Crystal, Stevens, and Snoqualmie Passes with lesser amounts elsewhere.

A developing weaker low will track toward our area Wednesday night, spreading increasing precipitation into our region from the south on Thursday with cooler temperatures associated with it.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Monday Night Snow Level 5500' - 6500' 5500' - 6500' 6500' - 7500' *
Tuesday Snow Level 4500' - 5500' 4500' - 5500' 5500' - 6500' *
Tuesday Night Snow Level 3500' - 4500' 4000' - 5000' 4000' - 5000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Night Snow Level
5500' - 6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Snow Level
4500' - 5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3500' - 4500'
Wednesday Snow Level
3500' - 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night Snow Level
5500' - 6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Snow Level
4500' - 5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4000' - 5000'
Wednesday Snow Level
3500' - 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night Snow Level
6500' - 7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Snow Level
5500' - 6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4000' - 5000'
Wednesday Snow Level
4500' - 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.

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather

Previous forecast from Nov 23, 2018

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