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 night through Wednesday
After a mixed bag of low level cloud cover in the mountains today, an approaching frontal system will spread high clouds into the region later this afternoon and clouds will lower overnight. However, light snow will generally hold off for the Washington Cascades until early Wednesday morning.
This should be a rather humdrum front as the parent low in the Gulf of Alaska spins in place and the frontal boundary passing through the Cascades around 1 PM splits and weakens. Snow levels should stay cool for all locations. A trailing shortwave diving south will approach the Olympic Peninsula later in the day to provide a secondary shot of snowfall Wednesday evening for the south/central Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood.
Showers should quickly diminish Thursday morning as strong upper level ridging builds offshore near 135W. However, some low level clouds should be capped along the west slopes of the Cascades with a more thorough clearing likely for the eastern slopes of the Cascades.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from NWAC!
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Increasing mid and high clouds lowering overnight, light snow developing late. |
| Wednesday | Light snow in the morning, becoming light snow showers in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | Increasing mid and high clouds lowering overnight, light snow developing late. |
| Wednesday | Light to moderate snow in the morning becoming light snow showers in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | Partly cloudy with areas of low clouds. Increasing high and mid clouds overnight. |
| Wednesday | Light snow in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers in the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Partly cloudy with areas of low clouds. Increasing high and mid clouds overnight, light snow developing late. |
| Wednesday | Light snow increasing late morning, then light snow showers in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Becoming cloudy with increasing high and mid clouds overnight, light snow developing late. |
| Wednesday | Light snow increasing late morning, then light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Becoming cloudy with increasing high and mid clouds overnight. |
| Wednesday | Light snow developing in the morning, becoming light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. |
Issued: 1:57 PM PST Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Freezing Level | 3000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 1000' | 0' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level * | 2500' | 1000' | 500' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 2000' | 1000' | 1000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | 3000' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Freezing Level 1000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Freezing Level 1000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Freezing Level 1000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
* 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
| Tuesday Night | Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0 | 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
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: 1:57 PM PST Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 | S 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | S 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 | S 0 - 10 | S 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 15 - 30 | SSE 15 - 25 | SE 10 - 20 | S 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | S 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | S 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
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 Evening | W 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | WNW 10 - 20 | NW 10 - 20 | NW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 30 | W 15 - 30 | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 35 - 50 | WSW 35 - 50 | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 40 | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | NW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 25 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | NW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 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: 1:57 PM PST Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
A weak frontal system passing over the ridge Thursday night and Friday will create cloudy conditions over the Pacific Northwest. Model solutions differ on the details, but very light rain and snow may brush the north Cascades and Olympics Thursday night and Friday. A stronger slug of warm frontal moisture should work it's way inland Friday night with snow levels beginning to rise. Larger forecast model differences come into play Saturday, but the preferred solution from the European/Canadian models leave us in the warm sector with the associated cold front crashing through Saturday afternoon or night.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Freezing Level | 0' - 1000' | 500' - 1500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Friday | Freezing Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 4500' - 5500' | 5000' - 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 0' - 1000' |
| Friday |
Freezing Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 500' - 1500' |
| Friday |
Freezing Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Friday |
Freezing Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
* 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 25, 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.