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 night through Saturday
The region remains under strong, but gradually decreasing westerly flow continues to bring an unstable air mass into the region. A weak upper-level disturbance should enhance the post-frontal rain and snow showers as well as ongoing convergence activity across the Central Cascades. Current model simulations have strong convergence activity from Snoqualmie Pass up to the King/Snohomish county line. Locally heavy snow can be expected with snow levels lowering rapidly during the evening hours on Wednesday. Snow shower activity should diminish Wednesday night with most of the accumulation out of lingering convergence activity in the central Washington Cascades. Snow totals will vary considerably in this weather setup.
On Thursday, with very light snow showers lingering and ending with post-frontal flow, a warm front lifts northward and spreads light snow to the region as the day progresses. The front reaches the Vancouver Island Coastline and extends SE to around Portland by the end of the day. The warm front progresses north across Washington State overnight bringing strong warming. During the evening hours, E flow should keep the Passes in the frozen precipitation category, but snow levels should jump as flow shifts westerly in the wake of the front. The front will be accompanied by moderate SW winds.
On Friday, a cold front approaches from the west. bringing strong southerly winds ahead of it and sustained warm temperatures west of the Cascade Crest, but most of the region remains relatively dry with mid-level to high clouds in the warm sector of the system. E flow picks up through the Passes.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers, mainly during the evening hours. Cooling. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy with light snow spreading into the area by late morning. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday Night | Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow, mainly during the evening hours. Cooling. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with snow flurries lingering in the morning, then light snow spreading into the region during the afternoon. Cool. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday Night | Light to occasionally moderate snow with heavier amounts in the central Cascades and near the Cascade Crest. Moderate to strong winds. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with snow flurries lingering in the morning near the Cascade Crest, then light snow spreading into the region during the afternoon. Cool. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Moderate snow primarily in regions of convergence (locally heavy). Convergence zone activity peaks in the evening hours, but lingers throughout the night. Snoqualmie Pass elevation should turn to snow by 7-10 PM with some snow accumulation expected. Strong WNW winds at 5000 ft and moderate W winds through the Passes. |
| Thursday | Snow flurries lingering in the morning, then light snow developing in the afternoon. Decreasing light W winds through the Passes switching E by the end of the day. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday Night | Decreasing moderate snow in the evening becoming light after midnight. Moderate to strong 5000 ft winds becoming moderate after midnight. |
| Thursday | Snow flurries lingering in the morning. Light snow developing from late morning onwards. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | Moderate snow in the evening becoming light thereafter. Strong 5000 ft winds. |
| Thursday | Cloudy with periods of light snow possible throughout the day. |
Issued: 2:47 PM 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 Evening | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 2500' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 4000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 6500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 8500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level * | 7000' | 4000' | 4000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' | 7000' | 8500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 7500' | 6500' | 5000' | 7000' | 7000' | 7000' | 7000' | 8000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 8500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' (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
| Wednesday 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 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 1.00 | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 1.00 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| 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: 2:47 PM PST Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 | W 15 - 25 | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 | S 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 30 - 40 | W 40 - 55 | W 40 - 55 | W 40 - 55 | WNW 55 - 75 |
| Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 40 - 55 | WNW 35 - 45 | WNW 55 - 75 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | WNW 40 - 55 | WNW 35 - 45 | WNW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 35 - 45 | W 30 - 40 | W 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 55 - 75 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 55 - 75 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 40 - 55 |
| 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.
Issued: 2:47 PM PST Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
A strong cold front should arrive Friday evening, bringing intense southerly winds and sharp cooling Friday night. Rapid cooling is expected with this strong front and after a brief period of high snow levels, snow should lower quickly to Snoqualmie Pass level or below by the late evening hours. Moderate to heavy orographic snow should continue behind the front with strong WSW and then W flow. Snow shower activity decreases late Saturday and Saturday night with another frontal passage on Sunday bringing another round of heavy snow on Sunday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 5500' | 4000' - 6000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 5500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 6000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday |
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 Jan 1, 2020
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.