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 night through Wednesday
A strong closed low slowly weakening and filling off the California coast is beginning to veer northward while it sends a chunk of energy directly into California. Wednesday night, a weakening band of moisture will lift northward and spread moderate snowfall to Mt. Hood and the east slopes of the southern WA Cascades with lighter snowfall for other areas.
On Thursday, expect increasing S then SW flow as the low tracks about 250 miles off our coastline, with continued cool easterly flow through the passes. Periods of light snow are expected with higher snow levels west of the Cascade crest. The main energy with the low will arrive from the SW late Thursday, bringing moderate rain and snow throughout the region into Thursday night. A wind shift late Thursday night is likely to change Snoqualmie pass to rain, but slightly higher elevations will remain snow.
On Friday, rain and snow showers will decrease as the initial low departs, but a second low tracking to our NW, well offshore, will spread increasing moisture to our coastal regions late in the day as snow levels rise.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday Night | Increasing clouds in the evening with light rain developing. Moderate winds, strong gusts. |
| Thursday | Periods of light rain, increasing late in the day. Moderate winds, strong gusts. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy. Light to moderate winds. |
| Thursday | Light rain and snow, with a rain/snow mix likely at the base of Mt. Baker ski area. Moderate winds with strong gusts. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday Night | Increasing clouds, then increasing light snow from south to north. Light to moderate winds. |
| Thursday | Light snow. Light to moderate winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Increasing light snow, possibly moderate in the early morning hours. Moderate winds gusting strong at pass level; Moderate winds at crest level. |
| Thursday | Light snow. Decreasing moderate winds at pass level. Moderate winds at crest level. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday Night | Light to occasionally moderate snow. Moderate winds. |
| Thursday | Light to occasionally moderate snow increasing in the afternoon and mixing with rain at lower elevations late. Increasing |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | A period of moderate snow. Moderate winds. |
| Thursday | Increasing light then becoming moderate late. Moderate becoming strong winds. |
Issued: 2:52 PM PST Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level * | 5000' | 4500' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 6000' | 4000' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 5000' | 3500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4000' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (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
| Wednesday Night | Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 2.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.50 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.75 | 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.75 | 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 2.00 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
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 Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | ESE 20 - 30 | E 10 - 20 | E 15 - 25 | E 15 - 25 | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 20 - 30 | E 10 - 20 | E 15 - 25 | ESE 10 - 20 | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 25 - 35 | ESE 10 - 20 | E 15 - 25 | ESE 20 - 30 | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 | ESE 25 - 35 | ESE 20 - 30 | SSE 25 - 35 | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | E 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | E 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | E 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | E 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | E 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | E 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | E 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | E 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | E 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SE 20 - 30 | SSE 20 - 30 | SSE 30 - 45 | SSE 35 - 50 | S 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 20 - 30 | SE 25 - 35 | SSE 15 - 25 | S 25 - 35 | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | S 20 - 30 | S 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | SSW 30 - 45 | SSW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 40 - 60 | SSW 45 - 65 | SW 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SSE 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | S 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 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.
Issued: 2:52 PM PST Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
Friday night, a powerful system moves onshore in central British Columbia. The trailing cold front will bring moderate to strong winds and moderate to heavy snow throughout the region with snow levels briefly elevated in the evening as the front moves onshore. Easterly flow through the passes is unlikely to be cold enough to keep Snoqualmie Pass as snow, while it is too early to say for Stevens Pass at this point. A westerly wind shift will occur very early Saturday morning.
Moderate post-frontal showers will continue Saturday, becoming light and decreasing from south to north on Saturday night.
An open trough will dig over Oregon and northern California on Sunday, bringing light precipitation to the southern part of the forecast region and a break for much of the Washington Cascades with cool conditions.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 5000' | 2500' - 3500' | 6000' - 8000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 3500' | 2000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 3500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 4000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6000' - 8000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4500' |
* 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 16, 2019
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