Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Saturday
A north to south oriented front is pushing through the Pacific Northwest today. Before the system splits and washes out later this evening, areas favoring southerly flow (not the Passes) are continuing to receive a decent shot of moisture, especially the Mt. Baker area, and with honorable mentions for Crystal, Mission Ridge and the south slopes of the Olympics. Snow levels will peak this afternoon and evening.
A slow cooling trend will begin Sunday night and showers will diminish after the frontal passage this evening. A stronger, wetter system will begin to take aim at the area late Monday afternoon.
Warm frontal moisture will push into Washington Cascades Monday night, slowly slipping south into Oregon by early Tuesday. Snow levels and alpine winds will once again rise through Tuesday morning. Warmer air will likely mixing into the the Cascade Passes and along the east slopes of the Cascades from Hwy 2 and south late Monday night through Tuesday morning.
Additional shortwaves will reinvigorate shower activity on Tuesday. Snow levels will be slow to lower Tuesday afternoon behind the front.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Sunday Night | Light rain and snow showers diminishing overnight. Slow cooling trend. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Sunday Night | Moderate rain and snow showers diminishing overnight. Slow cooling trend. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Sunday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the evening diminishing overnight. Slow cooling trend. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Sunday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the evening diminishing overnight. Slow cooling trend. Moderate east flow in the Passes becoming light. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon. Light east flow in the Passes. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Sunday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the evening diminishing overnight. Slow cooling trend. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday Night | Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers diminishing overnight. Slow cooling trend. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers in the morning. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:40 PM PST Sunday, December 16, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 5500' | 5500' | 4000' | 5000' | 5000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Monday Evening | Snow Level * | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level * | 5000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' | 6000' | 7000' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | 5000' | 4000' | 5000' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 6000' | 7000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' | 6500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
* 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
| Sunday Night | Saturday | Saturday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 | 0.50 | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 | 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 1.00 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Saturday | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 1.00 |
| Saturday | 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 1.50 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 1.50 |
| Saturday | 1.00 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 1.00 |
| Saturday | 1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Saturday | 1.00 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 1.00 |
| Saturday | 1.00 - 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: 2:40 PM PST Sunday, December 16, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SSW 20 - 30 | S 20 - 30 | SW 10 - 20 | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | S 10 - 20 | S 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | S 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 30 | S 15 - 25 | SSE 10 - 20 | S 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 40 - 50 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | SW 25 - 35 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 45 |
| Monday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Monday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Monday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
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: 2:40 PM PST Sunday, December 16, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
Showers in westerly flow will continue Tuesday night for the west slopes of the Cascades, the Olympics and Mt. Hood. Strong upper level ridging will begin to build along the West Coast on Wednesday. The next frontal system will brush the Olympics and central/north Washington Cascades with warm frontal moisture Wednesday afternoon and night as the ridge builds and shunts the precipitation northward. Snow levels should rise once again with warm air pushed into the region. A strong cold front is forecast to pass through the area late Thursday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' | 6500' - 7500' | |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 5500' - 6500' | 6500' - 7500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
* 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 Dec 16, 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.