Issued: 1:48 PM PST Monday, December 16, 2019
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Thursday

We should continue to see very light showers in the North Cascades and Olympics over the next few days as a weak high-pressure ridge holds most of the precipitation off the coast. Drier and warmer air will work in from the south and west nudging freezing levels up in most locations. East of the Cascade crest, cold air is solidly in place. Chilly east flow through the passes should keep temperatures low. The high-pressure ridge will slowly work its way east as a stronger weather system and deep trough approach the Northwest. Winds ought to increase in many locations over the next 24hrs and you may find moderate winds even at lower elevations.

Tuesday looks to be our last "dry" day prior to a major pattern shift. On Wednesday precipitation will spread over the area from west to east as the first of several weather systems impact the Olympics and Cascades. Freezing levels appear low during this first round of precipitation bringing mostly snow to the mountains. There's still a question on timing with the onset of snow. Some weather models do not bring moisture to the mountains until later in the day. This could impact snowfall totals and how much precipitation extends into areas east of the Cascade crest. 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Monday Night Mostly cloudy. Moderate south winds.
Mt. Baker
Monday Night Cloudy. Scattered showers possible. Moderate winds.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Monday Night Cloudy. Scattered showers possible near Washington Pass.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Monday Night Cloudy. East flow at pass level.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Monday Night Mostly cloudy.
Mt. Hood
Monday Night Cloudy. Winds increasing.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Monday Evening Freezing Level * 5500' 4500' 2500' 2000' 3500' 4000' 4500' 5000'
Monday Night Freezing Level * 6000' 4500' 2500' 2500' 3500' 4000' 4500' 5000'
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level * 6000' 5000' 2500' 2500' 4000' 5000' 5500' 6000'
Tuesday Afternoon Freezing Level * 5500' 5000' 3000' 2500' 4500' 5000' 6000' 6000'
Tuesday Evening Freezing Level * 5000' 4500' 2500' 2500' 3500' 4500' 5000' 5500'
Tuesday Night Freezing Level * 5000' 4500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 4000' 4000' 4500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level * 3500' 3000' 1500' 1000' 2000' 2500' 2500' 2500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Evening Freezing Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Freezing Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Freezing Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Evening Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Freezing Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Monday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Freezing Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Freezing Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Freezing Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Monday Evening Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Freezing Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Freezing Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Freezing Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(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

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

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Monday Evening SSW 10 - 20 S 10 - 20 SW 5 - 15 SSW 5 - 15 S 5 - 15
Monday Night S 10 - 20 S 10 - 20 S 5 - 15 S 5 - 15 S 10 - 20
Tuesday Morning SSW 10 - 20 S 10 - 20 SSE 5 - 15 S 5 - 15 S 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Evening SSW 10 - 20
Monday Night S 10 - 20
Tuesday Morning SSW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Evening S 10 - 20
Monday Night S 10 - 20
Tuesday Morning S 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening SW 5 - 15
Monday Night S 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning SSE 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon S 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Monday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Monday Night S 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning S 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon S 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening S 5 - 15
Monday Night S 10 - 20
Tuesday Morning S 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon S 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SSW 10 - 20
Monday Night S 10 - 20
Tuesday Morning SSW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Evening S 10 - 20
Monday Night S 10 - 20
Tuesday Morning S 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 5 - 15
Monday Night S 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning SSE 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon S 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SSW 5 - 15
Monday Night S 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning S 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon S 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Evening S 5 - 15
Monday Night S 10 - 20
Tuesday Morning S 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon S 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
Monday Evening WSW 25 - 35 WSW 30 - 40 WSW 20 - 30 SW 20 - 30 SW 20 - 30
Monday Night SW 30 - 40 SW 30 - 40 SW 25 - 35 SW 25 - 35 SW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning SW 35 - 45 SW 35 - 45 SW 30 - 40 SW 30 - 40 SW 25 - 35
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 25 - 35
Monday Night SW 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning SW 35 - 45
Tuesday Afternoon SW 40 - 55
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 30 - 40
Monday Night SW 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning SW 35 - 45
Tuesday Afternoon SW 40 - 55
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 20 - 30
Monday Night SW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning SW 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon SW 35 - 45
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 20 - 30
Monday Night SW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning SW 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon SW 35 - 45
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 20 - 30
Monday Night SW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning SW 25 - 35
Tuesday Afternoon SW 30 - 40

Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday

The active weather pattern beginning Wednesday should continue into the weekend. A strong stream moisture appears to impact the region Thursday through Saturday. Weather models continue to agree on the general weather pattern but diverge on specifics such as snow level and available water. Keep these storms on your mind as we head through the week. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Wednesday Night Snow Level 2000' - 3500' 2000' - 3500' 3000' - 4000' *
Thursday Snow Level 2000' - 3500' 2000' - 3500' 3500' - 5000' *
Thursday Night Snow Level 2500' - 3500' 2500' - 4000' 4500' - 6000' *
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Night Snow Level
2000' - 3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Snow Level
2000' - 3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
2500' - 3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Snow Level
3000' - 4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night Snow Level
2000' - 3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Snow Level
2000' - 3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
2500' - 4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Snow Level
3000' - 4500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3000' - 4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Snow Level
3500' - 5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Snow Level
4500' - 6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Snow Level
4500' - 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.

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 16, 2019

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