Issued: 1:36 PM PST Saturday, December 21, 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 Saturday night through Monday

Our atmospheric river event is nearly over as the frontal boundary draped over the Puget Sound continues to weaken as it pushes into the Cascades. After a relatively quiet Fall weather-wise, this event tallied 3-7 inches of water over the last 72 hours for mountain weather stations in the Olympics, Cascade Passes and along the west slopes of the Cascades. 

Light rain and snow should peter out on the backside of the front as the air mass over the region continues to slowly cool. A shortwave trough will rotate up from northern California later tonight and Sunday. Light rain and snow should affect Mt. Hood tonight and spread to the south Washington Cascades Sunday morning. It's unclear how far north light precipitation will spread on Sunday, but at the very least it should spread a mid to high overcast over much of the region.  

As the trough exits to our east Sunday night, a dirty upper level ridge will build over the area. Light onshore westerly flow should help trap moisture under the ridge and along the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood below Cascade crest level, perhaps squeezing out a few bouts of light snow. A better chance for sunshine should be found along the east slope of the Cascades on Monday.  

 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Saturday Night Becoming mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain or snow showers.
Mt. Baker
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers mainly in the evening.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of light rain and snow showers near the Cascade crest. Cooling trend.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Saturday Night Cloudy with light rain and snow showers tapering off in the evening. Cooling trend. Light to moderate west wind in the Passes.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Saturday Night Cloudy with light rain and snow tapering off in the evening. Cooling trend.
Mt. Hood
Saturday Night Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. Cooling trend.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Saturday Evening Snow Level 3000' 2500' 3000' 4000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 5000'
Saturday Night Snow Level 2500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level 2500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level 3500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level 2000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3500'
Sunday Night Snow Level 1500' 1000' 1000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 3500'
Monday Morning Snow Level 1500' 1000' 1000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 3000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
2500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
1500'
Monday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
2000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
1000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Washington Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
2000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
1000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Leavenworth Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
2500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
2000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
2500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
2000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
2500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
2000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
3000'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
3000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
2000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
3000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3500'
Monday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'

* 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

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

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Saturday Evening SW 5 - 15 W 0 - 10 W 5 - 15 W 0 - 10 W 10 - 20
Saturday Night SW 0 - 10 W 0 - 10 W 5 - 15 W 0 - 10 WNW 5 - 15
Sunday Morning VAR 0 - 10 VAR 0 - 10 NW 5 - 15 NW 0 - 10 NE 5 - 15
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Saturday Evening SW 5 - 15
Saturday Night SW 0 - 10
Sunday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon NE 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Elevation
Saturday Evening W 0 - 10
Saturday Night W 0 - 10
Sunday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon N 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening W 5 - 15
Saturday Night W 5 - 15
Sunday Morning NW 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon NE 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Saturday Evening W 0 - 10
Saturday Night W 0 - 10
Sunday Morning NW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon NE 0 - 10
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening W 10 - 20
Saturday Night WNW 5 - 15
Sunday Morning NE 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon E 5 - 15
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SW 5 - 15
Saturday Night SW 0 - 10
Sunday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon NE 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 0 - 10
Saturday Night W 0 - 10
Sunday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon N 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 5 - 15
Saturday Night W 5 - 15
Sunday Morning NW 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon NE 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 0 - 10
Saturday Night W 0 - 10
Sunday Morning NW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon NE 0 - 10
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 10 - 20
Saturday Night WNW 5 - 15
Sunday Morning NE 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon E 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
Saturday Evening W 5 - 15 SW 5 - 15 W 15 - 25 SW 20 - 30 SW 25 - 35
Saturday Night W 10 - 20 W 5 - 15 W 10 - 20 W 15 - 25 SW 20 - 30
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10 SW 0 - 10 SW 5 - 15 SW 0 - 10 S 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 5 - 15
Saturday Night W 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon S 0 - 10
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SW 5 - 15
Saturday Night W 5 - 15
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon S 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 15 - 25
Saturday Night W 10 - 20
Sunday Morning SW 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon S 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SW 20 - 30
Saturday Night W 15 - 25
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon S 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening SW 25 - 35
Saturday Night SW 20 - 30
Sunday Morning S 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon S 20 - 30

Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday

After a dry Monday night, a weak front will approach the coast on Tuesday.  The frontal boundary will likely weaken as it pushes inland but a trailing upper-level trough may produce a period of light snow showers, mainly along the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood area on Tuesday night or Wednesday.  Snow levels will be relatively cool in the extended but there doesn't appear to be a big storm on the horizon. The jet stream is directing stronger weather systems to our south, leaving the Pacific Northwest in a cool upper-level trough. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Monday Night Freezing Level 500' - 1500' 1000' - 2000' 1500' - 2500' *
Tuesday Freezing Level 1000' - 2000' 1500' - 2500' 2000' - 3000' *
Tuesday Night Snow Level 500' - 1500' 1000' - 2000' 1500' - 2500' *
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Night Freezing Level
500' - 1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Freezing Level
1000' - 2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
500' - 1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Snow Level
500' - 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night Freezing Level
1000' - 2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Freezing Level
1500' - 2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Snow Level
500' - 1500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night Freezing Level
1500' - 2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Freezing Level
2000' - 3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1500' - 2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Snow Level
1000' - 2000'

* 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 21, 2019

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