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 Friday
A well-developed and major winter storm will impact the region Saturday night through Sunday night. With plenty of moisture, cold air in place, and the jet stream aimed for Oregon, 1-3 ft of snow is expected for many mountain locations along the west slopes of the Cascades and substantial accumulations on the east slopes too. The heaviest snow will occur with the frontal band on Sunday night. The west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics will experience strong southerly winds which will enhance precipitation at Hood, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Baker. Snow levels will start very low and gradually rise Saturday night with easterly flow present through the passes. The upper-level energy will sustain heavier precipitation from Mt. Rainier southward in the form of snow showers Sunday and Sunday night behind the frontal passage early Sunday morning. Lighter showers will be convective with areas of sunshine and heavy snowfall in close proximity.
The post-frontal flow will cut off on Monday enters the southern part of the forecast area, cutting off the westerly flow over Washington State.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Saturday Night | Light to moderate snow. Strong winds easing in the early morning hours. |
| Sunday | Squally, but generally light snow showers. Snow levels lowering gradually. Moderate westerly winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Saturday Night | Heavy snow. Moderate winds with strong gusts. |
| Sunday | Moderate and squally snow showers. Moderate westerly winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Saturday Night | Moderate to heavy snow. Heaviest closer to the Cascade Crest where 6-12" of snow accumulation is possible. Moderate winds. |
| Sunday | Light to moderate snow showers, heaviest near the Cascade Crest. Moderate westerly winds |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Saturday Night | Moderate to heavy snow. Moderate to strong winds. Moderate east wind through the passes. Snow below pass level. |
| Sunday | Moderate to heavy snow showers. Convective with periods of sun possible and periods of whiteout snow. Rain mixing with snow possible at times right at Snoqualmie Pass level in the morning before returning to all snow by late afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Saturday Night | Heavy snow. Moderate to strong winds. |
| Sunday | Moderate to heavy snow showers, particularly heavy at Paradise, with significant flow blocking at Crystal. |
Mt. Hood
| Saturday Night | Stormy with heavy snow and strong winds. |
| Sunday | Heavy snow squalls. Moderate to strong winds. |
Issued: 2:41 PM PST Saturday, December 22, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level * | 4000' | 2500' | 500' | 500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2500' | 4000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level * | 4000' | 2000' | 500' | 500' | 1500' | 1500' | 3000' | 4000' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 2500' | 1000' | 1000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 1500' | 1000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
* 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 | Friday | Friday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.75 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.75 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday | 0.75 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 1.00 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
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: 2:41 PM PST Saturday, December 22, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 40 - 60 | SE 35 - 50 | E 30 - 45 | ESE 35 - 50 | SSE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 | SE 20 - 30 | SSE 20 - 30 | SE 20 - 30 | SW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SSW 15 - 25 | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | E 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | ESE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | E 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | ESE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 50 - 70 | SSE 40 - 60 | SSW 50 - 70 | SSW 50 - 70 | SW 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 30 - 45 | SSW 30 - 45 | SW 35 - 50 | SW 45 - 65 | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 | WNW 10 - 20 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 35 - 50 | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSE 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSW 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSW 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Night | SW 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 45 - 65 |
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: 2:41 PM PST Saturday, December 22, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
The closed low drops south toward California Monday night, ending showers at Hood by Tuesday morning.
The region receives a dry day on Tuesday under weak ridging before the next system drops south from the Gulf of Alaska to bring more snowfall late Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 2500' - 3500' | |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' (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.
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 22, 2018
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