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 & Saturday
The latest Pacific frontal system has crossed the Cascades this morning with the heaviest precipitation sagging south into Oregon. Strong west winds and orographic showers mainly for the west slopes will ease through today. Snow levels should gradually lower late this morning as slightly cooler air moves overhead. The next in the series of fronts will arrive Wednesday night and once again transition to showers by Thursday morning. A brief period of light easterlies overnight Wednesday may once again introduce a period of mixed precipitation near Stevens and Snoqualmie with otherwise moderate snow levels. A relative break in the systems should occur Thursday mid-day through Thursday evening. A stronger frontal system will lift northeast over the area late Thursday night. This system should lift warmer air over the region...mainly affecting Mt. Hood while more sustained easterly flow should keep the passes locally cooler.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Evening |
Moderate rain and snow showers becoming light showers this afternoon and evening. Strong winds easing mid-day. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Moderate rain and snow beginning overnight and becoming moderate to heavy early Thursday morning. Winds increasing. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Light to moderate showers with winds easing in the afternoon. |
| Thursday Night |
Light rain and snow becoming moderate Olympics and south Washington Cascades late Thursday night with gradual warming outside the Cascade passes. Winds increasing overnight. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Evening |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers becoming scattered showers this afternoon and evening. Strong winds easing this afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Light to moderate rain and snow beginning overnight and becoming moderate early Thursday morning. Winds increasing. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Light to moderate showers with winds easing in the afternoon. |
| Thursday Night |
Light rain and snow beginning southeast Washington Cascades late Thursday night. Winds increasing overnight. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Evening |
Heavy rain and snow becoming moderate showers this afternoon with slight cooling. Strong winds slightly easing in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Moderate rain and snow beginning overnight and becoming moderate to heavy early Thursday morning. Winds increasing. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Light to moderate showers with winds easing in the afternoon. |
| Thursday Night |
Light rain and snow becoming moderate to heavy late Thursday night with gradual warming. Winds increasing overnight. |
Issued: 7:27 AM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 5000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 6500' |
| Wednesday Mid-day | Snow Level | 3500' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 6000' |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 3000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 4000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level * | 4500' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 5500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
* 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 1.00 |
| White Pass | 0 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 2.00 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0 - 2.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
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: 7:27 AM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 40 - 50 | --- - | SW 45 - 55 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | W 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | SW 40 - 50 | --- - | WSW 35 - 45 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 50 | --- - | ESE 35 - 45 | --- - | SW 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | ESE 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 45 - 55 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | ESE 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 45 - 55 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
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 Morning - Wednesday Mid-day | --- - | --- - | WSW 60 - 70 | --- - | W 65 - 75 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - | --- - | W 35 - 45 | --- - | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - | --- - | W 50 - 60 | --- - | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - | --- - | W 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | --- - | --- - | SW 60 - 70 | --- - | WSW 60 - 70 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Mid-day | WSW 60 - 70 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | W 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 60 - 70 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Mid-day | W 65 - 75 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 60 - 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.
Issued: 7:27 AM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
The jetstream which had been directed over Washington state through the short term should sag south into Oregon on Friday and steady rain and snow should transition to showers Friday morning at free-air snow levels. Shower activity should decrease Friday night. The active pattern contnues over the weekend with another strong, yet fast moving system slotted to arrive Saturday afternoon and transition to showers Saturday night. Warm air should once again be advected into the Mt. Hood through the south/central Washington Cascades with easterly flow playing an insulating role in the Cascade passes. The next weather system may arrive Sunday afternoon or hold off until Sunday night.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow.
Light rain and snow showers.
Increasing moderate to heavy rain and snow in the afternoon and becoming stormy.
Light to moderate rain and snow showers.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | ' - ' | 2500' - 3500' | 6000' - 7000' | * |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | ' - ' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | Snow Level | ' - ' | 1500' - 2500' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | Snow Level | ' - ' | 3000' - 4000' | 5500' - 6500' | * |
| Saturday Night - Sunday | Snow Level | ' - ' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' - ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level ' - ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Feb 7, 2014
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.