Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Tuesday
An approaching frontal system has blanketed the north and central Cascades in a high overcast this afternoon. Areas further south will begin to fill in tonight as the system approaches the coast.
Precipitation should begin for the Olympics and Mt. Baker area later this evening, but precipitation won't make much progress inland as the front becomes more north-south oriented and slows. Locally moderate to even heavy precipitation is expected in the Mt. Baker area on Friday, with a secondary bullseye for the Paradise/Crystal area.
Snow levels will lower late tonight but won't cool further until the front slowly kicks east of the Cascades Friday night. Snow levels look rather unimpressive (mild) with this system. Easterly flow may initially drag down snow levels to 4000-4500 feet for Stevens and Snoqualmie early Friday morning, but snow levels are expected to quickly settle above all the major Pass levels on Friday.
The frontal boundary will split and shear as it passes inland Friday evening with showers quickly diminishing toward Saturday morning. The Pacific Northwest will be in the weather equivalent of no man's land on Saturday with westerly (zonal) flow over the area and storm systems located to our north and south. Snow/freezing levels for the Cascades will stay constant on Saturday in the 4000-5000 ft range.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday Night | Clouds lowering overnight with light rain and snow developing. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday Night | Clouds lowering overnight with light rain and snow developing. Windy. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday | Moderate rain and snow, occasionally heavy in the afternoon. Winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday Night | Increasing and lowering clouds overnight. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday | Light rain and snow. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday Night | Increasing and lowering clouds overnight. Light rain and snow developing late. Light to moderate east wind in the Passes. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday | Light rain and snow becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. Light east wind in the Passes becoming variable in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday Night | Increasing and lowering clouds overnight. Slight chance of light rain and snow late. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday | Light rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Heaviest precipitation Paradise and Crystal Mt., lighter amounts White Pass. Increasing ridgecrest winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday Night | Mostly clear becoming mostly cloudy overnight. |
| Friday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing in the morning. Slow cooling trend. |
Issued: 2:26 PM PST Thursday, January 31, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 6500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 7000' | 7500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level * | 6000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level * | 6000' | 5000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 6500' | 6500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5000' | 5000' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 5500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' | 6000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday 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
| Thursday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0 | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
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: 2:26 PM PST Thursday, January 31, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | S 5 - 15 | S 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | S 15 - 30 | S 20 - 35 | S 10 - 20 | SSE 15 - 25 | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | S 20 - 35 | SE 15 - 25 | SSE 20 - 30 | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | S 15 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | S 20 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | SE 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | S 15 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | S 20 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | SE 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
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 Evening | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 35 - 45 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 45 - 55 | SW 50 - 60 | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 45 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | SW 50 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
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: 2:26 PM PST Thursday, January 31, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
An upper level ridge amplifying well offshore around 150W will allow an upper level trough to dig off of our coast Sunday and Monday, and in the process open the door for much colder air to enter the region.
Although the overall pattern has fair confidence, the actual evolution through Monday comes with high uncertainty. What seems likeliest at this point is that surface low forming off Vancover Island Sunday will drop south off of our coast Sunday night drawing modified arctic air through the Fraser River Valley and the Cascade gaps. Light snow should develop Sunday afternoon, with northern areas drying out first Sunday night as the low slips south and drier air works into the region. Right now this looks like a light cold snow event for many areas. The eastern slopes of the Cascades should benefit from light upslope during this period.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 500' | 500' - 1500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | 0' - 500' | 0' - 1000' | 1000' - 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 0' - 500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1000' - 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.
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 31, 2019
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