Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Monday
A strong warm front lifting over the area this morning is directing heavier precipitation into the Olympics and north Cascades. Precipitation will fill in for areas further south later this morning and the trailing cold front should swing through the Washington Cascades around 1 PM. This storm system will bring heavier precipitation amounts to the volcanoes and Crystal Mt, and less precipitation for the Cascade Passes. Easterly flow will suppress snow levels in the Passes early this morning, but warmer air should push snow levels above Pass level for Snoqualmie and White Passes by late morning.
With the frontal passage strong winds aloft may mix down, creating very windy conditions in the afternoon. Snow level will lower rapidly late afternoon and overnight as colder air is advected into the region. Light to moderate snow should accumulate along the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood overnight. Westerly post-frontal winds should be blusterly overnight and ease off during the day on Friday.
Shortwave ridging will build over the area on Friday representing a relative break in the action, but there will still be a chance of showers for the mountains with lingering instability and weak onshore flow.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday | Stormy moderate rain and snow. Mild with a sharp cooling trend late. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday | Stormy moderate to heavy rain and snow. Mild with a sharp cooling trend late. Strong alpine winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday | Light rain and snow. Slow warming trend. Strong alpine winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday | Light snow at Stevens all day. Light snow and/or freezing rain at Snoqualmie Pass becoming light to moderate rain by mid-day. Slow warming trend. Moderate east wind in the Passes becoming west in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday | Moderate rain and snow. Mild with a sharp cooling trend late. Strong alpine winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday | Light to moderate rain and snow developing mid-day. Mild with a sharp cooling trend late. Strong alpine winds. |
Issued: 7:05 AM PST Thursday, December 20, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 7000' | 6000' | 3000' | 3000' | 6000' | 4000' | 7000' | 8000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 5000' | 4000' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' | 3500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 500' | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 2500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 1000' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
* 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 Night | Monday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 2.00 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.00 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 | 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 -1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 1.00 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 2.00 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 1.00 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 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: 7:05 AM PST Thursday, December 20, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 30 - 40 | SSE 20 - 35 | SE 20 - 30 | SSE 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 | SSW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 40 | SW 20 - 35 | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 40 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 | SW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSE 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSE 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 70 - 90 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 60 - 70 | SW 60 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 50 - 60 | SW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 50 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 50 | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | W 35 - 50 | WNW 40 - 50 | W 45 - 55 | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | NW 35 - 45 | WNW 25 - 35 | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | WNW 20 - 30 | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 70 - 90 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Night | W 35 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | NW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 60 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | W 45 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 60 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Dec 18, 2018
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