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
On Tuesday afternoon, the Pacific Northwest is getting doused by a warm and wet system with a relatively E-W oriented cold front approaching the region. There is a lot of uncertainty about snow levels overnight as the location of the front has been difficult to determine and snow levels were significantly lower than expected Tuesday afternoon. Snow levels are expected to peak Tuesday evening before dropping as the front progresses southward Tuesday night turning heavy rain and high elevation snow on the west slopes of the Cascades to heavy orographic rain and snow showers. The steadiest and heaviest precipitation should impact the southern Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood regions, where favored locations such as Mt. Hood and Paradise should receive around 2-3" of water (mostly rain). Heavy orographic showers should add another 1-1.5" of SWE for Snoqualmie, Stevens, and Baker, while the WSW flow leaves Crystal relatively blocked from the deluge.
On Wednesday, snow levels should lower as solid orographic snow showers and convergence zone activity in the central Washington Cascades continue and snow accumulations return to mid and lower elevations with rain turning back to snow at Snoqualmie Pass by Wednesday evening.
The snow shower activity should taper on modest westerly flow Wednesday night with a relative break in the axis before the next warm front lifts northward toward western Washington ahead of a broad ridge offshore, bringing some light rain and snow.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Decreasing light to moderate rain and snow transitioning to rain and snow showers. Lowering snow levels. Strong winds decreasing. |
| Wednesday | Light rain and snow showers. Cooler. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | Heavy rain and snow in the evening, then becoming moderate to heavy rain and snow showers. Elevated snow levels lowering. Strong winds. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing moderate snow showers. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | Moderate snow becoming light to moderate snow showers after midnight at Washington Pass. Snow levels hovering just below Washington Pass level. Light rain and high elevation snow near Leavenworth. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing light rain and snow showers. Lowering snow levels. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Heavy rain and snow. Strong 5000 ft winds. W winds 15-25 mph through the Passes. Gradually lowering snow levels. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing moderate to heavy snow showers, heaviest in convergence (potentially intense). Decreasing snow levels. W winds 15-25 mph through the Passes. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Heavy rain and snow at Paradise and White Pass. Light to moderate rain and snow at Crystal. Strong 5000 ft winds. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing moderate to heavy snow showers at Paradise, decreasing light to moderate rain and snow showers at White Pass, and decreasing light rain and snow showers at Paradise. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Very stormy with very heavy rain and snow and strong winds. Very high snow levels decreasing. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing moderate to heavy snow showers at Paradise. |
Issued: 2:50 PM PST Tuesday, December 31, 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 | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 5500' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 7000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 5500' | 5500' | 4500' | 5000' | 6500' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
* 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 | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 1.00 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 2.00 - 2.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | 1.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 2.50 - 3.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 | 0 |
| Timberline | 2.50 - 3.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 1.50 |
| Sunday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 1.50 |
| Sunday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 1.50 |
| Sunday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Sunday | 0.50 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Sunday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 1.50 |
| Sunday | 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 2.50 - 3.50 |
| Sunday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 2.50 - 3.50 |
| Sunday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| 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: 2:50 PM PST Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 30 - 40 | W 20 - 30 | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 | W 15 - 25 | W 35 - 45 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
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 50 - 65 | W 50 - 65 | WSW 55 - 75 | W 50 - 65 | W 55 - 75 |
| Tuesday Night | W 40 - 55 | W 50 - 65 | W 50 - 65 | W 45 - 60 | W 60 - 75 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 25 - 35 | WNW 45 - 60 | W 35 - 50 | W 40 - 55 | W 45 - 60 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 | W 45 - 60 | W 40 - 55 | W 40 - 55 | W 45 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 50 - 65 |
| Tuesday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 50 - 65 |
| Tuesday Night | W 50 - 65 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 45 - 60 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 45 - 60 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 55 - 75 |
| Tuesday Night | W 50 - 65 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 40 - 55 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 50 - 65 |
| Tuesday Night | W 45 - 60 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 40 - 55 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 55 - 75 |
| Tuesday Night | W 60 - 75 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 45 - 60 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 45 - 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: 2:50 PM PST Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
Northwest Washington should experience the fringes of an intense band of precipitation aimed for SW British Columbia Thursday night and Friay morning, associated with the warm front lifting northward. Some areas near the Cascade Crest could see some light freezing rain Thursday evening with E flow at the surface as warm air aloft spreads back into the region with a transition back to rain expected for Snoqualmie Pass. An intense cold front swings into the region from the west Friday night, bringing rapidly lowering snow levels and some significant snow accumulations through Saturday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 3500' | 2000' - 4000' | 3500' - 5500' | * |
| Friday | Snow Level | 3500' - 5500' | 5000' - 7000' | 7000' - 9000' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 5000' - 6000' | 6000' - 7000' | 7000' - 8500' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 3500' - 5500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 5000' - 7000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 7000' - 9000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7000' - 8500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 2000' - 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.
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 31, 2019
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.