Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Wednesday
The frontal rainband that brought very heavy precipitation to much of the region over the last 24 hours has weakened and dropped southward over northern Oregon. This has cut off the sub-tropical supply of moisture to most of the region and left Washington state under SW flow around the low-pressure center moving onshore near the northern tip of Vancouver Island Friday morning. The SW slopes of the Olympics and west slopes of the North Cascades will be favored by the post-frontal shower activity with Mt. Baker picking up more than an inch of water. In other areas, shower activity should remain light. Snow levels have been slow to lower but will end up around 4000 ft in the Washington Cascades by Friday afternoon.
Very light rain and snow showers will taper Friday evening before Thursday night's frontal rainband returns northward as a weak frontal wave with little to no associated moisture.
The parent low off the coast of northern California and associated open longwave trough will lift northward along the Oregon coast on Saturday. Many areas will experience fair weather Saturday morning before clouds and light snow commences in some areas Saturday afternoon.
Saturday night, the surface trough crosses the region, bringing a brief shot of strong westerly winds and moderate precipitation behind it. Showers will remain under the upper-level trough on Sunday as SW flow will favor the Cascade volcanoes, particularly Mt. Baker.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Friday | Light snow showers in the morning, decreasing in the afternoon. Moderate wind with strong gusts decreasing in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Friday | Moderate to heavy rain and snow showers, decreasing in the afternoon. Moderate and gusty winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Friday | Decreasing light snow showers. Decreasing moderate and gusty winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday | Very light rain showers and snow showers. Moderate and gusty winds, decreasing in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Friday | Light rain and snow showers. Moderate and gusty winds, decreasing in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday | Light rain and snow until mid-morning, then cloudy with periods of very light snow or drizzle. Decreasing moderate SW winds. |
Issued: 6:57 AM PST Friday, January 4, 2019
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 | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 5500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 4500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| 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 | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
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: 6:57 AM PST Friday, January 4, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 | S 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 | S 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Evening | SE 5 - 15 | SSE 10 - 20 | ESE 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SSE 10 - 20 | E 10 - 20 | E 10 - 20 | E 10 - 20 | E 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | E 10 - 20 | E 10 - 20 | E 15 - 25 | E 15 - 25 | SE 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SE 20 - 30 | E 10 - 20 | E 15 - 25 | E 20 - 30 | ESE 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Evening | SE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SE 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Friday Evening | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Evening | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | E 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | E 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Evening | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | E 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | E 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Evening | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | E 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SE 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | ESE 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Evening | SE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SE 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Friday Evening | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Evening | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | E 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | E 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Evening | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | E 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | E 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Evening | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | E 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SE 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | ESE 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SSW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 45 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 45 | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 20 - 30 | S 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | S 25 - 35 | S 15 - 25 | S 20 - 30 | SSE 25 - 35 | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SSE 20 - 30 | SSE 30 - 45 | S 35 - 50 | S 35 - 50 | S 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 | SSE 35 - 50 | S 35 - 50 | S 40 - 60 | SSE 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSE 35 - 50 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | S 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | S 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | S 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | S 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSE 50 - 70 |
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 Jan 3, 2019
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.