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. |
| Tuesday | Moderate rain and snow. Gradual cooling trend. Decreasing moderate to strong winds. |
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. |
| Tuesday | Very stormy with heavy rain and snow accompanied by strong 5000 ft winds with extreme gusts. |
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. |
| Tuesday | Heavy rain and snow in the north with precipitation mainly near the Cascade Crest in the south. Slight cooling late in the day. Decreasing moderate to strong alpine winds. |
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. |
| Tuesday | Light to moderate rain and snow with cooling in the afternoon likely changing Stevens Pass back to all snow. Strong to extreme alpine winds. Moderate W winds through the Passes, variably switching E at times in the middle of the day. |
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. |
| Tuesday | Stormy with moderate to heavy snow at Paradise and light rain and snow at Crystal and White Pass. |
Mt. Hood
| Monday Night | Strong to extreme alpine winds. Light rain and snow. |
| Tuesday | Strong to extreme alpine winds. Light rain and snow. |
Issued: 3:01 PM PST Monday, January 6, 2020
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' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 2000' |
| 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 |
| Timberline | 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 |
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: 3:01 PM PST Monday, January 6, 2020
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 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | S 30 - 40 | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 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 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 40 - 55 | SW 40 - 60 | WSW 45 - 65 | WSW 40 - 50 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| 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 |
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: 3:01 PM PST Monday, January 6, 2020
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' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 0' - 1000' | 0' - 1000' | * |
| 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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