Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Friday
An active weather pattern continues. A warm front lifting northward across the region Thursday night will continue to spread rain and snow into the Washington Cascades as it generally lifts north of the Mt. Hood region. Winds will increase, then maintain and snow levels should rise from south to north as it passes. Mt. Baker base, Washington Pass, and Mazama are the only places likely to hold off on rain until morning, although Mt. Baker base should switch to rain before the front exits the picture by late morning. Mt. Baker might squeeze 1-1.5 inches of water out of this warm front before all is said and done with lesser amounts to the south.
On Friday, Pacific Northwest should be in the warm sector of the system with high snow/freezing levels and near-record highs in the lowlands. Strong SW winds should increase throughout the day as the cold front approaches from the west.
On Friday night, the first truly strong cold front of the year crosses the region bringing an intense southerly barrier jet out ahead of it with a strong push of WSW winds behind it and rain changing to heavy snow behind the front with temperature drops of 10F in several hours Friday evening expected in many mountain locations. Snow levels at Snoqualmie Pass should drop below Pass level behind the front. WSW and SW winds should favor the Cascades volcanoes for snowfall amounts with Mt. Baker, Paradise, and Mt. Hood areas all pick up 1-2" of water equivalent Friday night through the day on Saturday with cold orographic post-frontal snowfall on Saturday and more moderate winds.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday Night | Light snow changing to light rain and snow as snow levels rise rapidly overnight. Snow likely to diminish after midnight. Increasing winds. |
| Friday | Cloudy and mild with a slight chance of rain or high elevation snow, particularly late in the day. Strong 5000 ft winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and snow. Rising snow levels reaching Mt. Baker base by around morning. Increasing winds. |
| Friday | Moderate rain and snow tapering in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. Mild with further increase in snow level. Strong to very strong 5000 ft winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday Night | Light to moderate snow changing to rain after midnight near Leavenworth, but maintaining snowfall north of highway 2. Some freezing rain may be possible. Increasing strong 5000 ft winds. |
| Friday | Very light rain and high elevation snow showers near the Cascade crest with partial clearing or filtered sunshine breaking through south of I-90. Strong 5000 ft winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday Night | Light to moderate snow changing to a mix of rain and snow. Changeover likely at Snoqualmie Pass by around midnight Increasing winds becoming strong at 5000 ft. E winds 0-10 mph at the pass shifting W 10-20 mph after 10 pm. |
| Friday | Light rain and high elevation snow ending early, becoming mostly cloudy. Strong 5000 ft winds. W winds 10-20 mph through the Passes in the morning shifting E 0-10 mph in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday Night | Moderate rain and snow at Paradise (light at Crystal and White Passes). Rapidly rising snow levels. Moderate 5000 ft winds increasing. |
| Friday | Light snow ending early, then mostly cloudy. Strong 5000 ft winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday Night | Cloudy with very light rain or snow possible early. Moderate to strong 5000 ft winds. |
| Friday | Cloudy. Moderate to strong 5000 ft winds. |
Issued: 2:33 PM PST Thursday, January 2, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 4000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 6000' | 3500' | 3000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 7000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 7000' | 5500' | 5000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' | 7500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 6500' | 5500' | 5500' | 7000' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' | 8500' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level * | 5500' | 5000' | 4000' | 5500' | 5000' | 6000' | 6000' | 7500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
* 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
| Thursday Night | Friday | Friday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 | 0.50 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | 0.25 | 0 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0.75 | 0.75 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0.75 | 0.75 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.75 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 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: 2:33 PM PST Thursday, January 2, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 30 | S 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 | S 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 | S 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 30 - 40 | SSE 30 - 40 | SSW 30 - 40 | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 40 - 50 | WSW 40 - 55 | WSW 35 - 45 | W 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Night | SW 35 - 45 | WSW 45 - 60 | W 40 - 55 | WSW 35 - 45 | W 60 - 80 |
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 50 | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 45 - 65 | WSW 45 - 65 | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 60 - 80 | WSW 60 - 80 | WSW 55 - 75 | SW 50 - 70 | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 60 - 80 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 45 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 55 - 75 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Night | W 60 - 80 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 50 - 70 |
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: 2:33 PM PST Thursday, January 2, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
Snowfall should decrease Saturday night as an upper-level shortwave trough digs in offshore, changing the flow to SSW. The shortwave moves onshore Sunday bringing further snow to the Cascades. This event should bring more westerly flow and a more equal distribution of snow totals across the west slopes of the Cascades with cold temperatures continuing. Slight ridging moves into the picture Sunday night with another wet system impacting the area on Monday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | 2000' - 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Monday |
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 2, 2020
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