Issued: 3:01 PM PST Monday, January 6, 2020
by Robert Hahn

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather

Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Saturday

Forecast updated 3 PM to adjust the wording of the synopsis and extended forecast.

The Pacific Northwest is in the midst of a major storm cycle.

The strong warm front draped across central Washington State on Monday should lift northward late Monday and Monday evening, shifting the firehose of precipitation northward, leaving Mt. Hood to the south of most of the action. The northward shift in the front should also raise the snow level during the evening hours, such that Mt. Baker and Stevens Pass receive a rain/snow mix overnight and into the morning hours on Tuesday. Winds should continue to intensify overnight as a trough digs in offshore with a surface low forming ahead of it tracking toward the northern tip of Vancouver Island by Tuesday morning. The trough and associated surface cold front move to the coast-line by mid-day on Tuesday from the WNW, keeping precipitation focused on the Olympics and NW Cascades. Expect gradually dropping snow levels across the region during the afternoon hours as the front pushes eastward. Strong southerly flow ahead of the front should allow strong enhancement of precipitation ahead of the front for the Washington Volcanoes, such as at Paradise.

A secondary feature brings stronger cooling to the region Tuesday evening. The trough remains over the region Tuesday night through Wednesday with light to moderate snow shower activity becoming light by Wednesday. Heavier snow will be possible in convergence late Tuesday night into Wednesday for Snoqualmie Pass.

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Monday Night Moderate rain and high elevation snow. Moderate winds increasing and gusting after midnight.
Mt. Baker
Monday Night Heavy rain and snow. Snow levels rising during the evening. Rain/snow mix likely at Mt. Baker base. Increasing moderate to strong 5000 ft winds.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Monday Night Moderate to heavy rain and snow at Washington Pass and locations closer to the Cascade Crest. Light to moderate rain and snow further east. Strong alpine winds throughout in the evening, sustaining overnight in the south.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Monday Night Very stormy with heavy rain and snow increasing strong alpine winds. Rain at Snoqualmie Pass and a rain/snow mix at Stevens Pass level. Moderate W wind through the mountain gaps.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Monday Night Stormy with heavy rain and snow at Paradise and light to moderate rain and snow at Crystal and White Pass.
Mt. Hood
Monday Night Strong to extreme alpine winds. Light rain and snow.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Monday Evening Snow Level 5500' 4500' 4000' 5500' 4500' 5000' 4500' 5000'
Monday Night Snow Level 5500' 4500' 4000' 5500' 4500' 5500' 5000' 5000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level 5000' 4500' 4000' 5000' 4500' 5000' 4500' 5000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500' 4500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level 4000' 3500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level 2000' 2000' 3000' 3500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level 1000' 0' 500' 1000' 1500' 1000' 1000' 2500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Monday Night Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
2000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Monday Night Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
2000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
0'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Washington Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Monday Night Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Leavenworth Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Monday Night Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Monday Night Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Monday Night Snow Level
5500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Monday Night Snow Level
5000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Monday Night Snow Level
5000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Wednesday 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

Monday Night Saturday Saturday Night Saturday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.75 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 1.50 2.00 0.75 -1.00 LT 0.25
Washington Pass 0.75 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Leavenworth 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass 1.00 - 1.50 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 1.50 - 2.00 0.50 0.75 0.25
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 0
Crystal Mt 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.50 LT 0.25
Paradise 2.00 1.00 1.00 0.25
White Pass 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 1.00 0.25 - 0.50
0.25 - 0.50 0.25 1.00 0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.75
Saturday 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Saturday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 1.50
Saturday 2.00
Saturday Night 0.75 -1.00
Saturday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.75
Saturday 0.75
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday LT 0.10
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 1.50 - 2.00
Saturday 0.50
Saturday Night 0.75
Saturday 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night LT 0.25
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Saturday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.50
Saturday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 2.00
Saturday 1.00
Saturday Night 1.00
Saturday 0.25
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 1.00
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night 1.00
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Monday Evening WSW 10 - 20 WSW 15 - 25 WSW 20 - 30 WSW 20 - 30 WSW 30 - 40
Monday Night SW 20 - 30 SSW 20 - 30 WSW 30 - 40 WSW 25 - 35 WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning SSW 25 - 35 S 30 - 40 SW 25 - 35 SW 20 - 30 WSW 20 - 30
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Evening WSW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning SSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Evening WSW 15 - 25
Monday Night SSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning S 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon S 30 - 40
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening WSW 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning SW 25 - 35
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 25 - 35
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Monday Evening WSW 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning SW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 30
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening WSW 30 - 40
Monday Night WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon SW 20 - 30
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning SSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 15 - 25
Monday Night SSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning S 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon S 30 - 40
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning SW 25 - 35
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 25 - 35
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning SW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 30
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 30 - 40
Monday Night WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon SW 20 - 30

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
Monday Evening WSW 35 - 45 W 35 - 45 W 45 - 60 W 45 - 60 W 40 - 55
Monday Night WSW 35 - 45 WSW 35 - 45 WSW 45 - 65 WSW 40 - 55 WSW 40 - 50
Tuesday Morning SW 40 - 55 WSW 45 - 60 WSW 45 - 60 WSW 40 - 50 WSW 40 - 50
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 35 - 45
Monday Night WSW 35 - 45
Tuesday Morning SW 40 - 55
Tuesday Afternoon SW 40 - 55
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening W 35 - 45
Monday Night WSW 35 - 45
Tuesday Morning WSW 45 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon SW 40 - 60
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening W 45 - 60
Monday Night WSW 45 - 65
Tuesday Morning WSW 45 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 45 - 65
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Evening W 45 - 60
Monday Night WSW 40 - 55
Tuesday Morning WSW 40 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 40 - 50
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Evening W 40 - 55
Monday Night WSW 40 - 50
Tuesday Morning WSW 40 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 35 - 45

Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday

Colder than average temperatures are expected with a cold trough in place. An offshore low drops south of the region Wednesday night with sufficient instability and moisture to sustain some light snow showers over our region in NW and NNW flow through Thursday. Weak ridging moves into our region Thursday night as a system drops southward, spreading increasing precipitation through the day on Friday as the low drops SE with a cold front approaching the coastline late in the day. Snow levels should be low enough for a widespread mountain snow event.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Wednesday Night Snow Level 0' - 0' 0' - 1000' 1000' - 2000'
Thursday Snow Level 0' - 1000' 0' - 1000' 1000' - 2000'
Thursday Night Snow Level 0' - 0' 0' - 0' 500' - 1500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Night Snow Level
0' - 0'
Thursday Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
0' - 0'
Friday Snow Level
0' - 1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Thursday Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
0' - 0'
Friday Snow Level
0' - 1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Thursday Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Thursday Night Snow Level
500' - 1500'
Friday Snow Level
0' - 1000'
(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 Jan 6, 2020

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