Issued: 2:40 PM PST Wednesday, February 13, 2019
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 night through Monday

Showers have mostly come to an end this afternoon with weak upper level ridging positioned offshore. Most areas saw some sunshine or at least breaks in the low-level clouds. The partial clearing trend won't last long, as high clouds begin to work their way up from the south later tonight. 

An open trough will begin to rotate up light precipitation on Thursday, reaching Mt. Hood in the morning but taking all day to reach the Mt. Baker area. Cloud ceilings will slowly lower from south to north during the day as well. The flow aloft may be southerly, but moderate easterly flow will develop up to Cascade Crest level late tonight through Thursday, affecting the Mt. Hood area and the south and central Washington Cascades primarily. The strength of the easterly flow makes for a tricky freezing level forecast for places outside it's reach; the Olympics and Mt. Baker area may see freezing levels rise to 4000 ft.  Snow and rain may approach moderate intensity for the Mt. Hood area on Thursday closer to the low. 

A frontal band will lift north overnight, bringing more widespread precipitation to all areas overnight and an end to the easterly winds. The upper low offshore will weaken and become an open trough over the Pacific Northwest on Friday. This should lead to widespread shower activity increasing slightly in the afternoon with daytime heating. 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Wednesday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Periods of high clouds after midnight.
Mt. Baker
Wednesday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Periods of high clouds after midnight.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Wednesday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Periods of high clouds after midnight.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Wednesday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Periods of high clouds after midnight. Light winds in the Passes becoming east after midnight.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Wednesday Night Partly to mostly cloudy then high overcast after midnight.
Mt. Hood
Wednesday Night Cloudy with light rain and snow developing late.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Wednesday Evening Freezing Level * 1500' 1500' 0' 0' 500' 1000' 1500' 2000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level * 500' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 2000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level * 2000' 1000' 0' 0' 0' 0' 1000' 1500'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level * 4000' 4000' 2000' 1000' 2000' 2000' 3500' 2000'
Thursday Evening Snow Level * 2500' 2500' 1500' 1000' 1500' 1500' 2000' 2500'
Thursday Night Snow Level 1500' 1500' 1500' 1000' 1500' 1500' 1500' 1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Evening Freezing Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Evening Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Evening Freezing Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Evening Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Washington Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Leavenworth Elevation
Wednesday Evening Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
1000'
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Wednesday Evening Freezing Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Evening Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Evening Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
1500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'

* 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 Monday Monday Night Monday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 LT 0.10 0.50 0.25
Washington Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Leavenworth 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0 LT 0.10 0.25 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge 0 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt 0 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Paradise 0 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
LT 0.10 0.50 0.25 LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0.50
Monday 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50
Monday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50
Monday Night 0.25
Monday LT 0.25

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Wednesday Evening ESE 5 - 15 E 0 - 10 E 5 - 15 E 0 - 10 ESE 5 - 15
Wednesday Night SE 5 - 15 E 5 - 15 E 10 - 20 ESE 10 - 20 E 5 - 15
Thursday Morning SE 10 - 20 E 10 - 20 E 15 - 30 E 15 - 25 E 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Wednesday Night SE 5 - 15
Thursday Morning SE 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon ESE 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Evening E 0 - 10
Wednesday Night E 5 - 15
Thursday Morning E 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon E 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening E 5 - 15
Wednesday Night E 10 - 20
Thursday Morning E 15 - 30
Thursday Afternoon E 15 - 30
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Wednesday Evening E 0 - 10
Wednesday Night ESE 10 - 20
Thursday Morning E 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon E 15 - 25
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Wednesday Night E 5 - 15
Thursday Morning E 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon E 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Wednesday Night SE 5 - 15
Thursday Morning SE 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon ESE 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening E 0 - 10
Wednesday Night E 5 - 15
Thursday Morning E 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon E 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening E 5 - 15
Wednesday Night E 10 - 20
Thursday Morning E 15 - 30
Thursday Afternoon E 15 - 30
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening E 0 - 10
Wednesday Night ESE 10 - 20
Thursday Morning E 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon E 15 - 25
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening ESE 5 - 15
Wednesday Night E 5 - 15
Thursday Morning E 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon E 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
Wednesday Evening VAR 0 - 10 VAR 0 - 10 SW 0 - 10 SW 5 - 15 SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night S 10 - 20 S 10 - 20 SSW 10 - 20 SW 15 - 25 SW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning SSE 15 - 25 SSE 15 - 25 SE 25 - 35 SE 25 - 35 SE 25 - 35
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening VAR 0 - 10
Wednesday Night S 10 - 20
Thursday Morning SSE 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon SE 15 - 25
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening VAR 0 - 10
Wednesday Night S 10 - 20
Thursday Morning SSE 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon ENE 25 - 35
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening SW 0 - 10
Wednesday Night SSW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning SE 25 - 35
Thursday Afternoon SE 35 - 50
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening SW 5 - 15
Wednesday Night SW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning SE 25 - 35
Thursday Afternoon SE 35 - 45
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night SW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning SE 25 - 35
Thursday Afternoon S 35 - 50

Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday

The broad upper trough will hang over the region Friday night and Saturday, keeping a mix of clouds and showers in the forecast. A pattern change should begin Sunday, as weak low pressure along the Washington/Oregon coast begins to draw down some colder air through the Fraser River Valley. While this doesn't look to the be an exact repeat of the events over the last week, this should set the stage for colder than normal snow levels once again heading into next week. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Friday Night Snow Level 1000' - 2000' 1000' - 2000' 1000' - 2000'
Saturday Snow Level 1500' - 2500' 1500' - 2500' 1500' - 2500'
Saturday Night Snow Level 0' - 0' 0' - 1000' 0' - 1000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Saturday Snow Level
1500' - 2500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
0' - 0'
Sunday Snow Level
0' - 0'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Saturday Snow Level
1500' - 2500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Sunday Snow Level
0' - 500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Saturday Snow Level
1500' - 2500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Sunday Snow Level
0' - 1000'

* 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 13, 2019

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