Issued: 2:51 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2014
by Dennis D'Amico

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 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.  The next in the series of fronts will arrive Wednesday night and once again transition to showers by Thursday morning at 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 Afternoon - Wednesday Evening

Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers.

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. 

East slopes of the Washington Cascades
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening

Partly sunny with scattered showers.  

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. 

Mt. Hood Area
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening

Moderate rain and snow showers.  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. 

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Wednesday Evening - Wednesday Night Snow Level 3500' ' ' ' ' 3500' ' 6000'
Thursday Snow Level 3000' ' ' ' ' 3000' ' 4000'
Thursday Night Snow Level * 4000' ' ' ' ' 2500' ' 5500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Evening - Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500'
Thursday Snow Level
3000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Evening - Wednesday Night Snow Level
'
Thursday Snow Level
'
Thursday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Washington Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening - Wednesday Night Snow Level
'
Thursday Snow Level
'
Thursday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Leavenworth Elevation
Wednesday Evening - Wednesday Night Snow Level
'
Thursday Snow Level
'
Thursday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening - Wednesday Night Snow Level
'
Thursday Snow Level
'
Thursday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening - Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500'
Thursday Snow Level
3000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Wednesday Evening - Wednesday Night Snow Level
'
Thursday Snow Level
'
Thursday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening - Wednesday Night Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Snow Level
4000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'

* 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 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 - 0.75 0 - 0.75
Washington Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0 - 0.50
Stevens Pass 0 - 1.00 0.50 - 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass 0 - 1.00 0.50 - 0.75
Mission Ridge 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 0 - 0.50
Paradise 0 - 1.00 0 - 1.00
White Pass 0 - 0.75 0 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 0 - 2.50 0.75 - 1.00
0 - 2.50 0 - 1.00

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening SW 10 - 20 --- - W 15 - 25 --- - SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning SW 35 - 45 --- - WSW 30 - 40 --- - WSW 30 - 40
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening SW 20 - 30 --- - SW 15 - 25 --- - SW 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning SW 35 - 45
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening SW 20 - 30
Thursday Night SW 40 - 50
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening --- -
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning --- -
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening --- -
Thursday Night --- -
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening W 15 - 25
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning WSW 30 - 40
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening SW 15 - 25
Thursday Night ESE 35 - 45
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening --- -
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning --- -
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening --- -
Thursday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning WSW 30 - 40
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening SW 15 - 25
Thursday Night SW 40 - 50
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning SW 35 - 45
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening SW 20 - 30
Thursday Night SW 40 - 50
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening --- -
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning --- -
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening --- -
Thursday Night --- -
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening W 15 - 25
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning WSW 30 - 40
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening SW 15 - 25
Thursday Night ESE 35 - 45
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening --- -
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning --- -
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening --- -
Thursday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning WSW 30 - 40
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 Afternoon --- - --- - W 35 - 45 --- - WSW 35 - 45
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning --- - --- - W 50 - 60 --- - WSW 50 - 60
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening --- - --- - W 20 - 30 --- - SW 20 - 30
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon --- -
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning --- -
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening --- -
Thursday Night --- -
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon --- -
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning --- -
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening --- -
Thursday Night --- -
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon W 35 - 45
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning W 50 - 60
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening W 20 - 30
Thursday Night SW 60 - 70
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon --- -
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning --- -
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening --- -
Thursday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 35 - 45
Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning WSW 50 - 60
Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening SW 20 - 30
Thursday Night WSW 60 - 70

Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday

The strong 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 constant parade of systems should continue through the weekend and into early next week with little break inbetween systems.  The Saturday afternoon through Saturday night system looks particularly stormy. 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.  Moderate to heavy rain and snow from the Saturday system looks to briefly decrease Sunday afternoon before another potentially powerful Pacific frontal system makes landfall Sunday night.  

Extended Weather

Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Friday Morning

Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow. 

Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning

Light rain and snow showers. 

Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night

Increasing moderate to heavy rain and snow in the afternoon and becoming stormy.  

Sunday

Light to moderate rain and snow showers. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
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' *
Mt. Baker Elevation
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 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 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 12, 2014

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