Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Sunday
The Pacific Northwest is experiencing a split flow pattern that tends to shear storms apart as they approach or shunt them southward toward California.
A broad trough sits over the West Coast, bringing cool weather to the region. A weakening front approaching the PNW coastline on Tuesday afternoon is slowly spreading light precipitation onto the SW slopes of the Olympic mountains with high clouds elsewhere. The front is likely to bring a dusting of snow to Hurricane Ridge and possibly Mt. Hood and the SW Washington Cascades Tuesday overnight before fizzling entirely. The system has generated some light SSW winds ahead of it. Light E flow developed in the Passes and should maintain through Wednesday night due to the next splitting system digging southward toward California.
Low-level moisture from the fizzled front should linger on Christmas Day, with little wind to mix up the lower atmosphere. Some mountain locations should luck out with sunshine; It's difficult to say exactly where, but higher elevations are more likely to have sunshine.
On Wednesday night, a shortwave ridge moves into the nearshore waters while the Pacific Northwest can expect clearing skies and low-elevation fog.
On Thursday, the next frontal system approaches from the NW, spreading increasing clouds and light precipitation arriving by the evening hours.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Chance of light snow showers. Cool. |
| Wednesday | Chance of snow flurries in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | High clouds. Cool. |
| Wednesday | Increasing sunshine with low elevation fog in the morning. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | High clouds with low elevation and valley fog developing. |
| Wednesday | Increasing sunshine with low elevation fog. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | High clouds with a slight chance of very light snow showers. Light E winds through the Passes. |
| Wednesday | Mostly cloudy through the mountain gaps with partial clearing at elevation. Light E winds through the Passes. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with a slight chance of light snow showers. |
| Wednesday | Low clouds lingering. Mostly clearing skies at higher elevations. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with a slight chance of light snow showers. |
| Wednesday | Low clouds lingering. Mostly clearing skies at higher elevations. |
Issued: 3:49 PM PST Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level * | 2000' | 5000' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 1000' | 1000' | 2000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level * | 1500' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' |
| Wednesday Morning | Freezing Level * | 2500' | 500' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening | Freezing Level * | 2000' | 1000' | 0' | 500' | 1000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Wednesday Night | Freezing Level * | 1500' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' |
| Thursday Morning | Freezing Level | 2000' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' |
* 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
| Tuesday Night | Sunday | Sunday Night | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 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: 3:49 PM PST Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | S 5 - 15 | SSE 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 | ENE 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 | NE 0 - 10 | NE 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NE 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NE 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 0 - 10 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 | WNW 10 - 20 | NW 10 - 20 | NW 5 - 15 | N 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | W 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | W 5 - 15 | WNW 0 - 10 | WNW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 0 - 10 | WNW 5 - 15 | NW 5 - 15 | VAR 0 - 10 | ENE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 0 - 10 | NNW 5 - 15 | NNW 5 - 15 | N 0 - 10 | NE 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 0 - 10 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NNW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | NW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | NW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | N 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NE 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.
Issued: 3:49 PM PST Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
A persistent ridge linked to a larger high pressure offshore keeps trying to push northward toward the Pacific Northwest.
Thursday night's front move slides down the backside of the ridge, bringing light rain and snow along with milder temperatures (west of the Cascade Crest). A more amplified version of the ridge slides into the Pacific Northwest, bringing warmer, drier conditions Friday night.
A wetter pattern revives from late Saturday onward, but snow levels are expected to be elevated. E flow during this period is likely to maintain snow at Pass level in the current setup.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 0' - 1000' | 500' - 1500' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 3500' | |
| Friday Night | Freezing Level | 1000' - 2000' | 2500' - 3500' | 4000' - 5000' | * |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 6000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 1000' - 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 4000' - 6000' (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 24, 2019
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