Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Wednesday
A broad and vertically stacked closed low is weakening as it tracks northward about 250 miles offshore is lifting an initial round of light snowfall across the central and north Cascades this morning. The band of snowfall continues to favor Mission Ridge where several additional inches are likely in the early morning hours before drying sets in. Southerly flow and disorganized light rain or snow will continue as snow levels west of the Cascade crest remain elevated, while moderate easterly flow keeps the east slopes and passes below freezing on Thursday.
In the afternoon the main energy associated with the closed low will impact the Olympics, Hood area, and Mt. Rainier areas where light snow will increase and may be locally heavier along the E slopes of the Olympics. Moisture will increase for all areas overnight with flow switching SWerly and precipitation favoring the Cascade Volcanoes where 1-1.5" of water are likely overnight with less than an inch forecast for all other NWAC precipitation stations.
On Friday the flow once again becomes southerly and post-frontal showers will decrease with minimal cooling. Increasing rain and snow will arrive along the coastline late in the day ahead of a rapidly deepening low tracking well to our NW that is tapping into sub-tropical moisture.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday | Periods of very light rain and snow. Moderate winds, gusting strong at times. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday | Light rain and snow early, then periods of light rain and snow. Slightly rising snow levels. Light to moderate winds early, becoming moderate. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday | Periods of light snow. Light to moderate winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday | Light snow early, then periods of light snow. Moderate E wind at pass level. Increasing moderate crest level winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday | Periods of light snow, increasing late in the day. Moderate winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday | Light to moderate to moderate snow. Moderate winds becoming strong in the afternoon. |
Issued: 7:01 AM PST Thursday, January 17, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 5000' | 4000' | 2500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
* 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
| Thursday | Thursday Night | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.25 | 1.50 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 1.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 1.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 1.00 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday 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: 7:01 AM PST Thursday, January 17, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SE 25 - 35 | E 10 - 20 | E 10 - 20 | ESE 15 - 25 | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 | ESE 20 - 30 | ESE 20 - 30 | SSE 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 45 | SE 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 | S 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 | SSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | SSW 10 - 20 | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | E 25 - 35 | ESE 10 - 20 | ESE 10 - 20 | ESE 10 - 20 | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | E 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | E 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 20 - 30 | SSW 10 - 20 | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 30 - 45 | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 35 - 50 | SW 20 - 30 | SSW 40 - 60 | SSW 45 - 65 | SW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 35 - 50 | SSW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 35 - 50 | WSW 40 - 60 | WSW 35 - 50 | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 | SSE 10 - 20 | S 20 - 30 | SSW 30 - 45 | SW 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Jan 16, 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.