Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Tuesday
An elongated open trough extends southward to the northern California coastal waters. The trough approaches the Pacific Northwest on Saturday afternoon with rain and snow spreading into the Olympic Mountains and southern Washington Cascades Saturday afternoon. This band of rain and snow will lift northward during the evening hours.
Saturday night will feature a wind storm. Strong southerly winds ahead of the rotating trough will be accompanied by moderate to strong easterly flow through the passes. Temperatures will be borderline for snow at Snoqualmie Pass. Once the surface trough passes, the flow will shift westerly and strong westerly winds will buffet the mountains in the early morning hours, bringing sharp cooling. Precipitation will be light to moderate in most locations, becoming snow showers after midnight and continuing Sunday in the unstable cold air behind the trough. Expect 7-14 inches of snow by the end of the day on Sunday for the Cascade volcanoes with the passes and Crystal picking up 2-6".
Light snow showers will continue Sunday night into Monday, mostly confined to the west slopes of the Cascades. Snow levels will remain well below pass level. A ridge building late Monday will generally cut off the moisture from south to north.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Saturday Night | Light snow. Strong and shifting winds. Rapid cooling after midnight. |
| Sunday | Light snow showers. Significantly colder. Moderate winds with strong gusts, decreasing. |
Mt. Baker
| Saturday Night | Light snow developing and becoming moderate after midnight. Strong and shifting winds, particularly after midnight. Rapid cooling associated with the wind shift. |
| Sunday | Moderate snow becoming light to moderate snow showers. Colder. Moderate winds with strong gusts, decreasing. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Saturday Night | Increasing light snow. Moderate to strong and shifting winds. Rapid cooling. |
| Sunday | Decreasing light to moderate snow showers. Colder. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Saturday Night | Increasing light snow. Strong and shifting winds alpine winds. Moderate to strong easterly winds at pass level shifting westerly in the early morning hours. Rapid cooling in the early morning hours. At Snoqualmie Pass more snow than rain is anticipated, but snow may shift to all rain for a few hours in the early morning hours before changing back to all snow before dawn. |
| Sunday | Light snow showers. Colder. Decreasing moderate winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Saturday Night | Increasing moderate snow at Paradise. Increasing light snow at Crystal and White Pass. Strong and shifting winds peaking around midnight. Rapid cooling after midnight. |
| Sunday | Moderate snow becoming light to moderate snow showers at Paradise. Light snow showers elsewhere. Colder. Decreasing moderate winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Saturday Night | Light snow becoming moderate after midnight. Strong and shifting winds peaking in the late evening hours. Rapid cooling after midnight. |
| Sunday | Moderate snow showers. Colder. Decreasing moderate winds. |
Issued: 2:52 PM PST Saturday, January 5, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level * | 4000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 1000' | 500' | 0' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | 1000' | 1000' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Saturday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 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: 2:52 PM PST Saturday, January 5, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSE 25 - 35 | ESE 15 - 25 | E 25 - 35 | SE 35 - 50 | SE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 40 - 60 | SE 35 - 50 | SSW 35 - 50 | SW 35 - 50 | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | SW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SE 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | E 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SE 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | E 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SE 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
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 Evening | S 25 - 35 | SSE 25 - 35 | S 30 - 45 | S 40 - 60 | SSW 55 - 75 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 50 - 70 | SSW 45 - 65 | SW 50 - 70 | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 35 - 50 | SW 35 - 50 | WSW 30 - 45 | WSW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 45 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 5 - 15 | SW 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | SW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SSW 55 - 75 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 35 - 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.
Issued: 2:52 PM PST Saturday, January 5, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
Monday night, easterly flow will commence ahead of a very large and mature low center located 650 miles offshore. Increasing snow will spread into the area after midnight with southerly winds, but cold air in place.
Periods of moderate to occasionally heavy precipitation will continue as the low ambles eastward. Moderate to strong east flow will continue. Most areas will maintain frozen precipitation Tuesday, but snow levels will begin rising west of the Cascade crest. Many areas will switch to rain Tuesday night through Wednesday as the low tracks toward the northern tip of Vancouver Island Wednesday evening and gradients across the Cascades slacken.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 500' - 1500' | 2000' - 3000' | * |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | 4000' - 6000' | * |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 4000' - 6000' | 3000' - 5000' | 4000' - 6000' | * |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (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.
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 5, 2019
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