Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Saturday & Friday
The Pacific Northwest is in the warm sector of a Pacific weather system this morning. The warm front passed through the area Friday and Friday night, but strong westerly flow continues to churn out rain in the Cascades, particularly in the Cascade Passes. Snow levels have risen to 6000-7000 feet uniformly across the west slopes of the Cascades, with the last of the cold air along the east slopes of the Cascades scouring out this morning.
Precipitation rates should take a breather through mid-day as the E-W oriented cold front slides south out of British Columbia and toward our region. Rain will become moderate to heavy once again this afternoon and early evening. A sharp cooling trend behind the frontal passage this evening will allow snow levels to quickly fall below Pass level in the 7 -10 PM window. West winds will increase as the front approaches this afternoon.
Strong WNW flow behind the frontal passage this evening and tonight will continue to mix down strong and gusty west winds for most areas. Orographic snow showers and a possible Puget Convergence zone will add quick burst of light to moderate snowfall along the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood through Sunday morning. Showers should diminish quickly on Sunday with a clearing trend likely for the east slopes of the Cascades but with only a slight improving trend on the west side.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Saturday | Periods of light rain becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Cooling trend late. Winds increasing. |
Mt. Baker
| Saturday | Light rain and snow becoming light to moderate rain in the afternoon. Cooling trend late. Winds increasing. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Saturday | Periods of light rain and snow becoming light to moderate rain and snow in the afternoon. Very windy. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Saturday | Light to moderate rain becoming heavy in the afternoon. Very windy. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Saturday | Light rain becoming moderate in the afternoon, occasionally heavy Paradise and White Pass. Very windy. |
Mt. Hood
| Saturday | Light rain becoming moderate in the afternoon, occasionally heavy Paradise and White Pass. Very windy. |
Issued: 7:03 AM PST Saturday, December 29, 2018
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 6500' | 6500' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 6500' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
* 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 | Saturday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 -1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.75 -1.00 | 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.50 | 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.75 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.75 -1.00 | 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Saturday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Saturday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Saturday Night | 1.50 |
| 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: 7:03 AM PST Saturday, December 29, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 50 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Evening | W 15 - 30 | W 15 - 30 | W 30 - 40 | WSW 20 - 35 | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 30 | W 15 - 30 | W 25 - 40 | W 25 - 40 | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | NW 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 | NW 0 - 10 | NW 5 - 15 | WNW 5 - 15 | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Evening | W 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Evening | W 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | W 25 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | NW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Evening | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | W 25 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Evening | W 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Evening | W 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | W 25 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | NW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Evening | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | W 25 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 35 - 45 | WSW 50 - 60 | W 55 - 65 | W 45 - 55 | W 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 50 - 60 | SW 60 - 70 | W 60 - 75 | WSW 60 - 75 | W 60 - 70 |
| Saturday Evening | W 35 - 45 | WSW 55 - 65 | WSW 60 - 70 | WSW 60 - 70 | W 60 - 70 |
| Saturday Night | W 35 - 45 | WNW 40 - 50 | WSW 40 - 60 | W 40 - 50 | W 60 - 70 |
| Sunday Morning | NW 15 - 25 | NW 25 - 35 | W 40 - 50 | WNW 25 - 35 | NW 45 - 55 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 30 - 40 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Evening | W 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 60 - 70 |
| Saturday Evening | WSW 55 - 65 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | NW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | W 55 - 65 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 60 - 75 |
| Saturday Evening | WSW 60 - 70 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Morning | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | W 45 - 55 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 60 - 75 |
| Saturday Evening | WSW 60 - 70 |
| Saturday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | W 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 60 - 70 |
| Saturday Evening | W 60 - 70 |
| Saturday Night | W 60 - 70 |
| Sunday Morning | NW 45 - 55 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Dec 28, 2018
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