Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Wednesday
An upper level ridge of high pressure extends from the desert southwest north through British Columbia with surface high pressure over Eastern Washington. Strong E to W pressure gradients across the Cascades that had produced moderate easterly winds from Cascade Pass to crest level have begun to ease off on Wednesday afternoon and should weaken further overnight.
This has allowed a few degrees of warming near the passes versus Tuesday. Mt. Baker, Hurricane and Paradise have poked into the 40s today with intermittent sunshine. A weak frontal system off the WA/OR coastline is stretching and weakening as it rotates north. A few showers are possible first for the Mt. Hood and Olympics later today and tonight while the showers have been removed from the forecast elsewhere. An upper level low should be directed into California on Thursday. As the low passes inland on Thursday and it should rotate a more consolidated band of E-W oriented showers mainly into the Mt. Hood region and the south Washington Cascades with the coverage of showers expanding further north.
After peaking Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, snow levels should gradually dip over the next 48 hours. The exception on Thursday will be on the east side of the Cascades where the cold pool of air, especially over the northeast Cascades should begin to better reflect free-air snow levels seen across the western part of Washington.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday |
Partly sunny with increasing clouds in the afternoon. Chance of light rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Continued mild temperatures. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night |
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. Gradual cooling trend. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday |
Partly sunny with increasing clouds from south to north in the afternoon. Isolated light rain and snow showers mainly south Cascades in the afternoon. Moderate easterly winds near the Cascade Passes decreasing in the afternoon. Continued mild temperatures away from the Cascade Passes. |
| Wednesday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy. |
| Thursday |
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers in the afternoon Snoqualmie Pass and north. Mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers south and central Washington Cascades. |
| Thursday Night |
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday |
Partly to mostly sunny with increasing clouds from south to north in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night |
Mostly cloudy. Gradual warming. |
| Thursday |
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers Snoqualmie Pass and northeast Cascades in the afternoon. Scattered light rain and snow showers southeast and central Washington Cascades. Gradual warming continued. |
| Thursday Night |
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday |
Mostly cloudy with increasing clouds in the afternoon. Isolated light rain and snow showers mainly in the afternoon. Moderate easterly winds decreasing in the afternoon. Continued temperature inversion due to east winds. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light to moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. |
Issued: 2:44 PM PST Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 6000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 6500' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | Snow Level | 5000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
* 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
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: 2:44 PM PST Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | S 0 - 10 | --- - | ESE 10 - 20 | --- - | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 | --- - | ESE 5 - 15 | --- - | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | NW 0 - 10 | --- - | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - | --- - | S 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - | --- - | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - | --- - | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | NW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 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: 2:44 PM PST Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
A pattern change should begin to take hold on Friday and continue through the weekend. An elongated trough of low pressure over central Canada along with strong and cold high pressure will begin to dive south and extend west toward the Pacific coast on Friday. This should be accompanied with a further decrease in snow levels Friday and perhaps some light upslope showers for the east slopes of the Cascades.
The details are murky for the weekend but NW flow aloft, weak surface low pressure off the Washington Coast and an upper level low over central BC/AB should all help to draw much colder air into the PNW over the weekend as well as provide enough lift and moisture to keep persistent snow showers in the forecast. A warm frontal system may start to spread steady precipitation over much of the area by Sunday afternoon.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers, possibly enhanced along the east slopes. Cooling trend during the day.
Increasing light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers overnight. Cooling trend continues.
Light to moderate snow showers. Much colder. Strong easterly flow developing Saturday through the Cascade Passes.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | ' - ' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | * |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | Snow Level | ' - ' | 1500' - 2500' | 2500' - 4000' | * |
| Saturday - Sunday | Snow Level | ' - ' | 0' - 500' | 500' - 1500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' - ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level ' - ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday - Sunday |
Snow Level ' - ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday - Sunday |
Snow Level 0' - 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday - Sunday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' (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 Feb 26, 2014
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