Issued: 11:28 AM PST Wednesday, December 18, 2019
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Wednesday

The Pacific Northwest should get one more day of relatively dry weather before a very wet/snowy weather pattern impacts the Pacific Northwest.

A stalled front offshore brings light precipitation to the Olympics on Wednesday. A secondary cold front catches up and merges with the first front by the end of the day, pushing it onshore and spreading the light rain and snow into the Mt. Hood and SW Washington Cascades. The front passes through the Cascades around midnight on Wednesday night, bringing moderate snow to most areas. We don't expect a switch to W flow behind the front to raise snow levels enough to change the precipitation to rain at Snoqualmie Pass level. Light to moderate post-frontal rain and snow showers continue on Thursday, decreasing over the Washington Cascades in the afternoon. Flow switches back easterly in the afternoon as the next system approaches from the south.

Late in the day on Thursday, a stronger warm front lifts northward and brings sharply warming temperatures along with heavy rain/snow and increasing winds to the Mt. Hood area as a subtropical moisture feed begins moving into our region.

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Mt. Baker
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Mt. Hood

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Wednesday Morning Snow Level * 4000' 3500' 1500' 1000' 2000' 3000' 3500' 3000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level * 4000' 4000' 2000' 1500' 2500' 3500' 4000' 4000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level * 3000' 3000' 1500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 3000' 3500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level * 3000' 2000' 1000' 1000' 1500' 1500' 2500' 3500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level 3000' 2000' 500' 1000' 2000' 2000' 3000' 4000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
500'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(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

Wednesday Wednesday Night Wednesday
4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.10 0.75 0.25
Washington Pass 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Leavenworth 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass 0 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0.75 0.25
Mission Ridge 0 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Paradise 0 1.00 0.50
White Pass LT 0.10 0.50 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.10 1.00 0.75
LT 0.10 1.00 0.75
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0.75
Wednesday 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0.75
Wednesday 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0
Wednesday Night 1.00
Wednesday 0.50
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 0.50
Wednesday 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 1.00
Wednesday 0.75
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.10
Wednesday Night 1.00
Wednesday 0.75

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Wednesday Morning S 20 - 30 S 15 - 25 ESE 10 - 20 SE 5 - 15 SSE 5 - 15
Wednesday Afternoon S 20 - 30 S 15 - 25 SE 10 - 20 SSE 5 - 15 SSW 10 - 20
Wednesday Evening SW 10 - 20 SSE 15 - 25 SSE 15 - 25 SSE 15 - 25 SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Night SW 15 - 25 SSW 10 - 20 WSW 10 - 20 WSW 10 - 20 WSW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning SSW 10 - 20 S 10 - 20 WSW 10 - 20 WSW 10 - 20 WSW 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Morning S 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon S 20 - 30
Wednesday Evening SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Night SW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning SSW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SE 5 - 15
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Morning S 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening SSE 15 - 25
Wednesday Night SSW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning S 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon S 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning ESE 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon SE 10 - 20
Wednesday Evening SSE 15 - 25
Wednesday Night WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon ESE 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Wednesday Morning SE 5 - 15
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 5 - 15
Wednesday Evening SSE 15 - 25
Wednesday Night WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SE 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning SSE 5 - 15
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 10 - 20
Wednesday Evening SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Night WSW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning S 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon S 20 - 30
Wednesday Evening SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Night SW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning SSW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SE 5 - 15
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning S 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening SSE 15 - 25
Wednesday Night SSW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning S 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon S 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning ESE 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon SE 10 - 20
Wednesday Evening SSE 15 - 25
Wednesday Night WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon ESE 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SE 5 - 15
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 5 - 15
Wednesday Evening SSE 15 - 25
Wednesday Night WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SE 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSE 5 - 15
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 10 - 20
Wednesday Evening SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Night WSW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SSW 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 Morning SSW 30 - 40 SSW 20 - 30 SSW 20 - 30 SSW 15 - 25 SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon S 35 - 45 SSW 20 - 30 SSW 20 - 30 SSW 25 - 35 WSW 30 - 40
Wednesday Evening WSW 30 - 40 SW 30 - 40 SW 40 - 55 WSW 40 - 55 WSW 40 - 55
Wednesday Night SW 30 - 40 SW 30 - 40 WSW 45 - 60 WSW 35 - 45 WSW 45 - 65
Thursday Morning WSW 25 - 35 W 25 - 35 W 25 - 35 W 20 - 30 WSW 30 - 40
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon S 35 - 45
Wednesday Evening WSW 30 - 40
Wednesday Night SW 30 - 40
Thursday Morning WSW 25 - 35
Thursday Afternoon SSW 10 - 20
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Evening SW 30 - 40
Wednesday Night SW 30 - 40
Thursday Morning W 25 - 35
Thursday Afternoon SSW 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Evening SW 40 - 55
Wednesday Night WSW 45 - 60
Thursday Morning W 25 - 35
Thursday Afternoon SSW 25 - 35
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Evening WSW 40 - 55
Wednesday Night WSW 35 - 45
Thursday Morning W 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon SW 35 - 45
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Wednesday Evening WSW 40 - 55
Wednesday Night WSW 45 - 65
Thursday Morning WSW 30 - 40
Thursday Afternoon WSW 65 - 85

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.

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

Previous forecast from Dec 17, 2019

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