Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Saturday
A warm front draped off the coast of Washington and British Columbia will spread increasing moisture into the region Friday before moving eastward across the region Friday evening. With cold air in place, the warm front will bring increasing mountain snows, followed by a transition to rain in many locations (including Snoqualmie, Stevens, and White passes) as flow switches westerly before midnight and snow levels rise to Cascade Crest level. Expect 3-6" of snow at the Cascade Passes before the transition to rain.
The Pacific Northwest will remain in the Warm sector with lighter precipitation Saturday morning before a cold frontal rainband arrives from the NW during the afternoon hours and progresses SE through the evening hours bringing moderate to heavy rain to many areas on a cooling trend. Snoqualmie Pass should expect a transition back to snow around 10 PM, shortly after the frontal passage. Winds will increase through the day on Saturday, peaking with the frontal passage in the early evening hours in the moderate to strong range.
Decreasing light snow showers will continue later Saturday night and Sunday on a moist N-NW flow with low snow levels winds becoming light to moderate.
Overall, the storm will bring the most moisture to the Mt. Rainier and central Washington Cascades areas, with more than 2/3 of the water falling as rain rather than snow at pass level.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Friday | Increasing light snow. Light winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. Snow levels rising. |
Mt. Baker
| Friday | Increasing light snow. Light winds becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Friday | Light snow developing by late morning. Increasing light winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday | Increasing snow, initially light, then moderate by afternoon. Light winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. East flow developing, but very light. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Friday | Increasing snow, initially light, then moderate by afternoon. Light winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday | Increasing light snow. Moderate winds. |
Issued: 6:46 AM PST Friday, December 28, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 1000' | 500' | 500' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 5000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2000' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level * | 7500' | 4000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 8000' | 6000' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' | 7500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 7500' | 6000' | 5000' | 7000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' | 7500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 6000' | 5000' | 5000' | 6000' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
* 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
| Friday | Friday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | 1.50 | 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.50 | 1.50 - 2.00 | 1.00 |
| White Pass | 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.50 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 1.50 |
| Saturday | 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Saturday | 1.00 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Saturday | 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: 6:46 AM PST Friday, December 28, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | WSW 25 - 35 | SSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 30 - 45 | SW 30 - 45 | WSW 30 - 45 | WSW 30 - 45 | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 45 | SSW 30 - 45 | --- 35 - 50 | SW 35 - 50 | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 60 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | WNW 20 - 30 | NW 20 - 30 | NNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 30 - 45 | WSW 30 - 45 | NW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | W 30 - 45 | W 35 - 50 | W 35 - 50 | WNW 40 - 60 | WNW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Night | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 55 - 75 | W 50 - 70 | W 45 - 65 | WNW 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 60 - 80 | W 55 - 75 | W 60 - 80 | W 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 55 - 75 | SW 60 - 80 | WSW 60 - 80 | WSW 65 - 85 | WSW 55 - 75 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | W 30 - 45 |
| Friday Night | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 55 - 75 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Evening | W 35 - 50 |
| Friday Night | WSW 55 - 75 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 60 - 80 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | W 35 - 50 |
| Friday Night | W 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Morning | W 55 - 75 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | WNW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Night | W 45 - 65 |
| Saturday Morning | W 60 - 80 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 65 - 85 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NNW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | NW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | WNW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Night | WNW 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Morning | W 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 55 - 75 |
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 27, 2018
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