Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Sunday
Strong W flow with ample moisture maintains significant mountain rain and snow following a warm and wet frontal system that moved through Tuesday night to ring in the New Year. Moisture should be heaviest in the Mt. Hood and Paradise areas, with the central Cascades picking up variable amounts due to increasingly intense convergence activity. As of Wednesday morning, snow levels sit in the 4000-5000 ft range and have been slow to fall, but we still expect gradually lowering snow levels throughout the day, reaching 3000-3500 for the Washington Cascades by late in the day. W Winds have been intense with this system and with a very well mixed atmosphere, the momentum has reached pass level. Since midnight, Snoqualmie Pass has seen sustained winds into the 30-40 mph range with gusts in the 45-65 mph range. These winds should be strong throughout the day, but gradually decreasing.
Wednesday evening, an upper-level feature moves over the region, bringing accelerated cooling during this time frame and slight enhancement in winds. Overall, rain and snow shower activity should continue to decrease overnight, with convergence activity and accumulations focused on the central Cascades. Snow accumulations are expected in most locations.
On Thursday, very light post-frontal snow shower activity should taper off as the next system begins to lift a warm front into the coastal region with associated light rain and snow spreading into the region during the afternoon hours. Upper-level W winds should also increase.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday | Light rain and snow becoming increasingly showery and locally intense. Gradual cooling. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming increasingly showery and locally intense. Gradual cooling. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday | Light rain and snow becoming increasingly showery and locally intense. Moderate W winds. Gradual cooling. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday | Periods of moderate rain and snow becoming increasingly showery and locally intense, heaviest in convergence focusing from I-90 north to the Skagit Valley. Strong W winds at 5000 ft and through the Passes, decreasing throughout the day. Gradually lowering snow level. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday | Light rain to moderate rain and snow for Crystal and White Passes becoming increasingly showery and locally intense. Moderate to heavy snow for Paradise becoming increasingly showery and locally intense. Gradually lowering snow level. Strong W winds gradually decreasing. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Moderate to heavy rain and snow becoming increasingly showery and locally intense. Strong to very strong W winds. Gradually lowering snow level. |
Issued: 7:22 AM PST Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 500' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1000' | 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| 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' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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
| Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 1.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 1.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
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: 7:22 AM PST Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 | W 15 - 25 | W 30 - 40 | W 25 - 35 | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 | SSE 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
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 Morning | W 25 - 35 | WNW 50 - 65 | WNW 40 - 50 | W 40 - 50 | W 50 - 65 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 | WNW 45 - 60 | W 40 - 50 | W 40 - 50 | W 50 - 65 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 30 - 40 | W 45 - 60 | W 40 - 50 | W 40 - 50 | WNW 55 - 75 |
| Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 | W 35 - 45 | W 45 - 60 | WNW 35 - 45 | WNW 55 - 75 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | W 35 - 45 | W 35 - 45 | W 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 | W 25 - 35 | W 35 - 45 | W 35 - 45 | W 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 50 - 65 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 45 - 60 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 45 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | W 45 - 60 |
| Thursday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 50 - 65 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 50 - 65 |
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 55 - 75 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 55 - 75 |
| Thursday Morning | W 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 50 |
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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Dec 31, 2019
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