Issued: 2:38 PM PST Thursday, March 7, 2019
by Robert Hahn

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 Saturday

A cold upper low moves onshore over western Washington Thursday evening with mostly light but occasionally moderate snow shower activity impacting the Cascades during the evening hours before dissipating overnight as the upper low weakens and transfers energy to a surface low predicted to spawn in the nearshore waters. The surface low will take the energy and moisture south into northern Oregon and southern Washington, such that the previously forecast convergence is no longer expected. Snow levels will drop to sea-level Thursday night into Friday morning before increasing with diurnal warming. With the moisture further south, Friday will feature sun breaks in most areas of Washington state, while the Mt. Hood and SW Washington Cascades areas stay cloudier with more chances of light snow as surface low moves onshore near the mouth of the Columbia River late Friday.

The surface low is expected to continue to move SE Friday night, weakening as it does, with light snow showers ending from the Mt. Rainier area progressively southward as the night wears on. Expect clearing skies in many areas with strong radiational cooling and light winds.

Saturday will be cool with partial sunshine west of the Cascade crest and mostly sunny weather east of the crest. The energy of the storm track is expected to produce a cutoff low off the coast of northern California on Saturday.

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Thursday Night Light snow showers heaviest in the evening and then decreasing and ending. Light winds.
Mt. Baker
Thursday Night Decreasing snow showers, mainly during the evening hours. Light winds.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Thursday Night Light snow showers mainly during the evening hours, tapering to flurries after midnight. Light winds.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Thursday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow in the evening, then becoming flurries after midnight. Light west winds at pass level and 5000 feet.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Thursday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow in the evening, then becoming flurries after midnight. Very light snow at Crystal (mostly blocked). Light winds.
Mt. Hood
Thursday Night Light snow showers decreasing after midnight. Light to moderate winds.

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 1000' 500' 500' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1500' 1500'
Thursday Night Snow Level 500' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 500'
Friday Morning Snow Level 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000'
Friday Evening Snow Level 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000'
Friday Night Snow Level 500' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 500'
Saturday Morning Freezing Level * 1000' 500' 5000' 0' 500' 500' 500' 1000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Friday Night Snow Level
500'
Saturday Morning Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Thursday Evening Snow Level
500'
Thursday Night Snow Level
0'
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Friday Night Snow Level
0'
Saturday Morning Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Afternoon Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Thursday Evening Snow Level
500'
Thursday Night Snow Level
0'
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Friday Night Snow Level
0'
Saturday Morning Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
0'
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Friday Night Snow Level
0'
Saturday Morning Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Afternoon Freezing Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
0'
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Friday Night Snow Level
0'
Saturday Morning Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
0'
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Friday Night Snow Level
0'
Saturday Morning Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Night Snow Level
0'
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Friday Night Snow Level
0'
Saturday Morning Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Afternoon Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Thursday Night Snow Level
500'
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Friday Night Snow Level
500'
Saturday Morning Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
(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

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

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Thursday Evening W 5 - 15 SSW 5 - 15 WSW 10 - 20 WSW 5 - 15 WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Night W 5 - 15 VAR 0 - 10 W 5 - 15 WSW 5 - 15 WSW 10 - 20
Friday Morning VAR 0 - 10 S 0 - 10 WSW 5 - 15 WSW 5 - 15 WSW 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Thursday Evening W 5 - 15
Thursday Night W 5 - 15
Friday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Friday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Elevation
Thursday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Thursday Night VAR 0 - 10
Friday Morning S 0 - 10
Friday Afternoon WSW 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Evening WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Night W 5 - 15
Friday Morning WSW 5 - 15
Friday Afternoon W 0 - 10
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Thursday Evening WSW 5 - 15
Thursday Night WSW 5 - 15
Friday Morning WSW 5 - 15
Friday Afternoon W 0 - 10
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Evening WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Night WSW 10 - 20
Friday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Friday Afternoon WSW 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening W 5 - 15
Thursday Night W 5 - 15
Friday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Friday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Thursday Night VAR 0 - 10
Friday Morning S 0 - 10
Friday Afternoon WSW 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Night W 5 - 15
Friday Morning WSW 5 - 15
Friday Afternoon W 0 - 10
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening WSW 5 - 15
Thursday Night WSW 5 - 15
Friday Morning WSW 5 - 15
Friday Afternoon W 0 - 10
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Night WSW 10 - 20
Friday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Friday Afternoon WSW 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 WSW 5 - 15 W 10 - 20 WSW 15 - 25 WSW 15 - 25 WSW 25 - 35
Thursday Night SW 5 - 15 W 5 - 15 W 10 - 20 W 15 - 25 W 20 - 30
Friday Morning WSW 5 - 15 WNW 5 - 15 WNW 10 - 20 WNW 10 - 20 W 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening WSW 5 - 15
Thursday Night SW 5 - 15
Friday Morning WSW 5 - 15
Friday Afternoon W 5 - 15
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening W 10 - 20
Thursday Night W 5 - 15
Friday Morning WNW 5 - 15
Friday Afternoon WNW 5 - 15
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening WSW 15 - 25
Thursday Night W 10 - 20
Friday Morning WNW 10 - 20
Friday Afternoon WNW 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening WSW 15 - 25
Thursday Night W 15 - 25
Friday Morning WNW 10 - 20
Friday Afternoon WSW 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Thursday Evening WSW 25 - 35
Thursday Night W 20 - 30
Friday Morning W 15 - 25
Friday Afternoon WSW 25 - 35

Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday

A wedge of high pressure will build Saturday night through Monday night with a gradual erosion of the cold air already in place. Sunday will be slightly warmer than Saturday The temporary high-pressure spell will feature clear, cold nights, sunny days and a light easterly flow through the passes.

On Monday, a sharp, but weakening trough will move over the area from the northwest, bringing a round of snowfall and wind along with a shot of colder air.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Saturday Night Freezing Level 1000' - 2000' 1000' - 2000' 500' - 1500' *
Sunday Freezing Level 1000' - 3000' 1000' - 3000' 0' - 2000' *
Sunday Night Freezing Level 2000' - 4000' 1500' - 3500' 500' - 2500' *
Mt. Baker Elevation
Saturday Night Freezing Level
1000' - 2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Freezing Level
1000' - 3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Freezing Level
2000' - 4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Freezing Level
1500' - 3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Night Freezing Level
1000' - 2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Freezing Level
1000' - 3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Freezing Level
1500' - 3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Freezing Level
2000' - 4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Night Freezing Level
500' - 1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Freezing Level
0' - 2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Night Freezing Level
500' - 2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Freezing Level
2500' - 4500'
(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.

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather

Previous forecast from Mar 7, 2019

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