Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Saturday
Look for generally drier and warmer conditions to develop through the near-term forecast as a high-pressure ridge dominates our regional weather. This ridge will have three clear effects; a chance of showers near the Olympics and Canadian border, warm air moving into the mountains, and cold air trapped east of the Cascade crest. Sunday night should be dry in nearly all locations as remaining showers draw to a close. With cool moist air near the surface, you may find low-level clouds and/or fog near the passes and in mountain valleys.
A weather system in the Pacific will nudge against the ridge Monday. While most of the precipitation will be kept out to sea, areas such as the Olympics and Mt. Baker could experience a few showers. Some weather models spread shower activity farther south and east on Monday afternoon/evening, but this seems unlikely. Warm air associated with this weather system will creep into the region from the south and west allowing freezing levels to bump up in some locations. Cold air ought to hang in east of Cascades, especially in the valleys. This set-up should develop a cool easterly flow in the mountain passes.
The weather pattern begins to change Tuesday afternoon as the first in a series of storms approaches the northwest.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Sunday Night | Mostly cloudy. Winds increasing. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy. Showers possible. Moderate SW winds. Temperatures warming. |
Mt. Baker
| Sunday Night | Mostly cloudy. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with showers possible. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Sunday Night | Mostly cloudy. Light to moderate west winds. |
| Monday | Partly cloudy. Clouds thicker and more abundant near the Cascades Crest and Canadian border. Light to moderate west winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Sunday Night | Mostly cloudy. Chance of low clouds and/or fog. Light east flow developing. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy. Light east flow. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Sunday Night | Mostly Cloudy Rainier. Partly cloudy Crystal and White Pass. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with a possibility of low clouds and/or fog in the morning. Warming temperatures. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday Night | Mostly clear. Chance of low-level clouds. Moderate winds decreasing. |
| Monday | Partly sunny with warming temperatures. |
Issued: 1:40 PM PST Sunday, December 15, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | Freezing Level * | 2500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Sunday Night | Freezing Level * | 2500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Monday Morning | Freezing Level * | 3500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' |
| Monday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 5000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Monday Evening | Freezing Level * | 5500' | 3000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Monday Night | Freezing Level * | 5500' | 3500' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Tuesday Morning | Freezing Level * | 5500' | 4000' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' | 4000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 5000' | 4500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Evening |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Sunday Night | Saturday | Saturday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
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: 1:40 PM PST Sunday, December 15, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SSW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 | SSW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | SSW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NW 20 - 30 | NW 15 - 25 | NNW 25 - 35 | NNW 25 - 35 | NNW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 | WNW 20 - 30 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 30 - 40 | W 25 - 35 | WNW 30 - 40 | WNW 20 - 30 | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NNW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | NW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NNW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | NW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NNW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | NW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 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.
Issued: 1:40 PM PST Sunday, December 15, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
The long-term weather pattern looks active as wave after wave of precipitation impacts the region Wednesday through Saturday. Rain and snow should begin Tuesday evening and spread across the forecast area by Wednesday. The weather models seem to agree on the general path of the weather systems but can't quite resolve expected snow levels. These systems are still several days out but are worth keeping your eye on them.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3500' | 1500' - 3000' | 2000' - 3500' | * |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3500' | 1500' - 3000' | 2000' - 3500' | * |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3500' | 1500' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | * |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3500' | 2000' - 3500' | 3500' - 5000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3500' - 5000' (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 Dec 15, 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.