Issued: 2:49 PM PST Wednesday, December 26, 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 Wednesday night through Tuesday

A shortwave trough plunges southeast into the region behind a cold-front passage on Wednesday. Low-density snow showers will continue to fall Wednesday night with an additional 6-8" for Mt. Hood areas; 4-6" anticipated for Paradise, Snoqualmie Pass, and White Pass; while up to two inches will fall at Baker, Stevens Pass, and Crystal Mtn.  Only a dusting of snow should make it to the Cascade East Slopes. Some areas will experience locally intense snow showers and a moderate convergence band may develop overnight in the vicinity of Snoqualmie Pass. 

Snow showers should decrease and generally end on Thursday as flow turns N-NWerly, giving the region a mostly sunny Thursday.

The pattern continues Thursday night as the ridge edges slightly closer and the weak fingertips of a warm front weaken offshore, spreading some high clouds over the Olympics.

On Friday, a more significant warm front approaches over the top of the ridge, bringing increasing moderate snow and slightly rising snow levels along with increasing W-SW winds.

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Wednesday Night Light snow showers ending early. Becoming mostly clear after midnight. Light to moderate winds.
Mt. Baker
Wednesday Night Light snow showers. Light winds.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Wednesday Night Light snow early, becoming very light. Light winds north; moderate winds south.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Wednesday Night Light snow with periods of higher intensity. Heaviest in convergence near Snoqualmie Pass. Light to moderate winds.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Wednesday Night Decreasing moderate snow showers at Paradise, light to moderate snow showers at White Pass, and light snow showers at Crystal. Light to moderate winds.
Mt. Hood
Wednesday Night Moderate snow showers. Moderate snow with occasionally strong gusts.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Wednesday Evening Snow Level 2500' 1500' 1000' 1000' 1500' 2000' 2000' 2500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level 1500' 1500' 1000' 1000' 1500' 1500' 1000' 2000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level 1000' 1000' 500' 500' 1000' 1000' 1000' 2000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level 2000' 1500' 1000' 1500' 1500' 1500' 2000' 2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level 3000' 2000' 1500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2500'
Thursday Night Freezing Level 3000' 1000' 1000' 1500' 1000' 1500' 1500' 2000'
Friday Morning Snow Level 3000' 1000' 0' 500' 500' 1000' 1500' 2000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
3000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
3000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Washington Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
500'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
1500'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Leavenworth Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
500'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
2000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2500'
Thursday Night Freezing Level
2000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday 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

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

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Wednesday Evening WNW 10 - 20 WSW 5 - 15 W 5 - 15 W 5 - 15 W 20 - 30
Wednesday Night NW 10 - 20 W 5 - 15 W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 W 20 - 30
Thursday Morning NW 5 - 15 VAR 0 - 10 WNW 5 - 15 WNW 5 - 15 WNW 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Evening WNW 10 - 20
Wednesday Night NW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning NW 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon WNW 5 - 15
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Evening WSW 5 - 15
Wednesday Night W 5 - 15
Thursday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening W 5 - 15
Wednesday Night W 10 - 20
Thursday Morning WNW 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon W 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Wednesday Evening W 5 - 15
Wednesday Night W 10 - 20
Thursday Morning WNW 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon W 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening W 20 - 30
Wednesday Night W 20 - 30
Thursday Morning WNW 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening WNW 10 - 20
Wednesday Night NW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning NW 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon WNW 5 - 15
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening WSW 5 - 15
Wednesday Night W 5 - 15
Thursday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening W 5 - 15
Wednesday Night W 10 - 20
Thursday Morning WNW 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon W 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening W 5 - 15
Wednesday Night W 10 - 20
Thursday Morning WNW 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon W 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening W 20 - 30
Wednesday Night W 20 - 30
Thursday Morning WNW 15 - 25
Thursday 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
Wednesday Evening WNW 10 - 20 WNW 15 - 25 WNW 25 - 35 WNW 20 - 30 WNW 30 - 45
Wednesday Night N 10 - 20 N 20 - 30 NNW 20 - 30 NNW 30 - 45 NNW 30 - 45
Thursday Morning NNW 10 - 20 NNW 15 - 25 NNW 15 - 25 NNW 20 - 30 NNW 25 - 35
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening WNW 10 - 20
Wednesday Night N 10 - 20
Thursday Morning NNW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon NW 15 - 25
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening WNW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night N 20 - 30
Thursday Morning NNW 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon NW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening WNW 25 - 35
Wednesday Night NNW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning NNW 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon NW 20 - 30
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening WNW 20 - 30
Wednesday Night NNW 30 - 45
Thursday Morning NNW 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon NNW 20 - 30
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening WNW 30 - 45
Wednesday Night NNW 30 - 45
Thursday Morning NNW 25 - 35
Thursday Afternoon NNW 25 - 35

Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday

The region is caught between an amplifying high pressure offshore and a deepening trough over the Rockies during the extended forecast time-frame.

Friday night or Saturday morning the warm front will cross the Cascades, bringing light to moderate rain and snow and a more significant rise in snow levels. Saturday afternoon the region should be within the warm sector of the storm with snow levels peaking and rain up to Cascade Crest level in some areas. Winds should be moderate and will increase to strong by late Saturday as a sharp cold front moves through from the north Saturday evening.  Light post-frontal showers will decrease and end Sunday morning with clearing in the afternoon as flow switches to northerly.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Friday Night Snow Level 2500' - 3500' 3000' - 5000' 3500' - 5500' *
Saturday Snow Level 4500' - 5500' 5500' - 6500' 6000' - 7000'
Saturday Night Snow Level 2500' - 4500' 3500' - 5500' 4500' - 6000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
2500' - 3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Snow Level
4500' - 5500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2500' - 4500'
Sunday Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
3000' - 5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Snow Level
5500' - 6500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
3500' - 5500'
Sunday Snow Level
1500' - 2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
3500' - 5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Snow Level
6000' - 7000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
4500' - 6000'
Sunday Snow Level
2000' - 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.

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 26, 2018

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