Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Tuesday
After raining cats and dogs at most sites along the west slopes of the Cascades this morning, a plume of warm frontal moisture has lifted north this afternoon, providing a break for the south Washington Cascades. However, the heavier precipitation and stronger winds will stay focused on the Olympics and Mt. Baker area through this evening.
The associated frontal boundary will pass from north to south through the Cascades tonight and precipitation rates will pick up once again. Snow levels will be slow to cool, but a brief period of easterly flow may allow snow levels to briefly drop to Pass level early Friday morning. Once the front passes through, snow levels will settle rather uniformly across the region in the 4000-4500 ft range.
On Friday, the front will split apart as the parent low pressure system stalls off the central B.C. coast and a new upper low digs off the California coast. Post frontal SW flow should mainly benefit the Mt. Baker area in the way of significant accumulating snow showers above 4000 ft. Other areas will see light showers Friday.
Showers should end Friday night with dry conditions forecast through Saturday morning. An approaching longwave trough will begin to shift showers into the Olympics and south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood on Saturday afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday Night | Stormy with moderate rain and snow. Slight cooling trend late. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday Night | Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow. Slight cooling trend late. |
| Friday | Moderate rain and snow showers. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Windy in the alpine. Slight cooling trend late. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers near the Cascade crest in the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday Night | Light rain and snow, becoming moderate late this evening. Snow levels may drop to Pass level after midnight as Pass winds become light easterly. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Light west wind in the Passes. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday Night | Light rain and snow, becoming moderate late this evening. Windy in the alpine. Slight cooling trend late. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday Night | Periods of light rain and snow increasing late. Becoming windy in the alpine. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers in the morning, becoming mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:11 PM PST Thursday, January 3, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 5500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 7000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 5500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 5500' |
| Saturday Morning | Freezing Level | 5000' | 4000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 5000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
* 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
| Thursday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Paradise | 1.00 | 0.25 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 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: 2:11 PM PST Thursday, January 3, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 | S 35 - 50 | S 20 - 30 | S 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 35 | S 15 - 25 | SSW 20 - 30 | S 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | S 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 35 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SSW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | S 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | S 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 50 - 60 | SW 45 - 55 | SW 55 - 65 | SW 55 - 65 | SW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 30 - 40 | SW 45 - 55 | SW 60 - 70 | SW 60 - 70 | SW 60 - 70 |
| Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 45 - 55 |
| Thursday Night | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Night | SW 60 - 70 |
| Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Night | SW 60 - 70 |
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 60 - 70 |
| Friday Morning | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 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.
Issued: 2:11 PM PST Thursday, January 3, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
The aforementioned trough should pass through Saturday night, potentially causing a period of moderate snow accumulation along the west slopes of the Washington Cascades at cooler snow levels through Sunday morning. Forecast models become murky after that. A developing low pressure system should pass into southwest Washington/northwest Oregon late Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. There is poor confidence in the timing and details regarding this system.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
* 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 Jan 3, 2019
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