Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Saturday
A weakening cold front dropping into the region on NW flow should arrive during the evening hours on Thursday, spreading a band of generally light precipitation across the region through the overnight hours. SSW should continue to increase ahead of the front, which should pass through the Cascades in the early morning hours on Friday. Temperatures are cold enough for snow and the front should not impact snow levels significantly but it will bring a switch to westerly winds. Light to very light snow showers can be expected behind the front. Most locations west of the Cascade Crest should pick up less than 0.5" of snow water equivalent with the Mt. Baker area likely to receive the most; expect snow accumulations to drop off quickly as you move east of the Cascade Crest.
Upper-level ridging should build into the PNW coastal region by late in the day on Friday, giving the region a generally dry Friday night. A warm front lifts northward over Western Oregon and Washington in advance of the next system, as the ridge axis shifts east of the Cascades. While the front should bring clouds, but not precipitation, we expect it to raise snow levels by about 3000 ft during the day for Mt. Hood, Paradise, and Hurricane Ridge with E flow re-developing and keeping the Passes cool.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday Night | Windy with light snow developing in the early evening, transitioning to snow showers after midnight. |
| Friday | Light snow showers tapering off in the late afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday Night | Windy with light snow developing in the evening and persisting through the night. |
| Friday | Light snow showers tapering to flurries. Minimal additional accumulation. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday Night | Windy with very light snow developing in the late evening hours. |
| Friday | Very light snow showers and flurries with partial sunshine further east of the Cascade Crest. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday Night | Light snow developing in the evening and persisting through the night. Light to moderate E winds through the Passes. |
| Friday | Decreasing light snow showers. Light W winds through the Passes. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday Night | Light snow developing in the evening and persisting through the night. |
| Friday | Decreasing light snow showers. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday Night | Increasing winds with light snow developing after midnight. |
| Friday | Light snow in the morning decreasing and becoming very light snow showers in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:15 PM PST Thursday, December 26, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 2500' | 1000' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level * | 2000' | 1000' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 1000' | 0' | 0' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | 2500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Friday Night | Freezing Level | 3000' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level * | 3500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' | 4500' | 6000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 1500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 1500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Thursday Night | Saturday | Saturday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| 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: 2:15 PM PST Thursday, December 26, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 | S 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 | SSW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | WNW 30 - 40 | W 25 - 35 | WNW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | W 20 - 30 | WNW 25 - 35 | WNW 35 - 45 | WNW 35 - 45 | NW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 | WNW 25 - 35 | WNW 35 - 45 | NW 30 - 40 | NW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | NW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | NW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon | NW 25 - 35 |
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: 2:15 PM PST Thursday, December 26, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
The cold front associated with Saturday's warm front generally falls apart as it arrives Saturday night, bringing some light precipitation to the region. Expect a relative break in the precipitation on Sunday. A stronger low is expected to bring some light to moderate precipitation to the region Sunday night and Monday as it cuts off from the northern branch of the jetstream and drops south. Easterly flow throughout the time period is likely to keep the Passes mostly in the frozen precipitation category, while areas west of the Cascade Crest should have more elevated snow levels.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | * |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 5000' | * |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | * |
| Monday | Freezing Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 4000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3500' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 2000' - 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.
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 26, 2019
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