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 Tuesday
A big change in the weather pattern is on our doorstep as weak upper level ridging flattens today and tonight and allows a low pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska and a strong jet stream to begin driving Pacific frontal systems through our region over the next several days.
This switch to a progressive weather pattern begins with warm frontal moisture arriving for the Olympics and north Cascades tonight and spreading south during the day on Tuesday. Warm air will be advected into the region, resulting in rising snow levels. The devil is in the details of course, and cool easterly flow through the Passes will keep precipitation frozen in the morning before snow levels skyrocket in the afternoon, earlier for White Pass, later in the day for Stevens Pass. A period of freezing rain is possible for White and Snoqualmie Passes tomorrow morning before the switch over. For the north Cascades and along the east slopes of the Cascades lower snow levels will hold through the daylight hours on Tuesday with a much slower warming trend anticipated. West winds at crest-level will ramp up quickly in the afternoon for all areas. Expect stormy conditions by the end of the day Tuesday.
The occluded front will pass through the Cascades Tuesday evening for continued moderate to heavy precipitation and a trailing shortwave should invigorate post-frontal showers for the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area later Tuesday night. Snow levels should peak for the west slopes early Tuesday evening and begin to slowly decrease overnight. Warmer air will finally work its way over the to east side of the Cascades Tuesday night, scouring out the remaining cold air. Continued westerly flow should continue orographic showers through Wednesday with snow levels continuing their downward trend.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Monday Night | Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. |
| Tuesday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming moderate rain in the afternoon. Winds increasing and becoming strong to very strong in the afternoon. Strong warming trend. |
Mt. Baker
| Monday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow. |
| Tuesday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming moderate to occasionally heavy in the afternoon. Winds increasing and becoming strong to very strong in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Monday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow developing after midnight. |
| Tuesday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow increasing in the afternoon. Crest level winds increasing in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Monday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow developing after midnight. Light east wind in the Passes becoming moderate overnight. |
| Tuesday | Light to moderate snow at Pass level transitioning to rain or freezing rain late morning Snoqualmie Pass and early afternoon Stevens Pass. Moderate to occasionally heavy rain in the afternoon. Moderate east winds at Pass level becoming light late. Increasing strong west winds at ridgetop. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Monday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow developing late. |
| Tuesday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming moderate to occasionally heavy in the afternoon. Locally lighter amounts Crystal area. Period of freezing rain possible through mid-day White Pass. Winds becoming strong to very strong in the afternoon. Strong warming trend. |
Mt. Hood
| Monday Night | Mostly cloudy in the evening becoming cloudy with light rain and snow developing late. |
| Tuesday | Light rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Warming trend. Winds increasing and becoming strong to very strong in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:06 PM PST Monday, December 30, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Evening | Snow Level | 4500' | 3500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 5500' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level * | 5000' | 3500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 6000' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level * | 6500' | 3500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | 5500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 7000' | 4500' | 3500' | 4500' | 5000' | 6500' | 8000' | 7000' |
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level | 7000' | 6000' | 5500' | 6500' | 6500' | 7000' | 6500' | 7500' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 5000' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow 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
| Monday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.75 | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 2.00 | 0.75 |
| Timberline | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 2.00 | 0.75 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 2.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 2.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
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: 2:06 PM PST Monday, December 30, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Evening | SW 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | SW 10 - 20 | S 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 | S 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Night | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | NW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 40 - 60 | W 40 - 50 | W 40 - 60 | W 40 - 60 | WNW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 40 - 60 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | NW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | NW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | NW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Night | NW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Morning | NW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WNW 40 - 60 |
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: 2:06 PM PST Monday, December 30, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
Showers will decrease but not end Wednesday night as snow levels plummet further. Another warm front now looks likely to pass through the area Thursday and Thursday night for another round of moderate precipitation and slowly rising snow levels. On Friday, our region is in the warm sector of the storm as the warm front lifts north of the area and the trailing cold front positioned offshore. Precipitation, if any, should be light but snow levels will be on the mild side.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4500' | 3500' - 5000' | 4500' - 6000' | * |
| Friday | Snow Level | 5000' - 6000' | 5500' - 6500' | 5500' - 6500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' (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 30, 2019
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