Issued: 1:59 PM PST Friday, January 10, 2020
by Dallas Glass

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

Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Monday

The precipitation was a little behind schedule Friday as the storm system was slow-moving into the mountains. Don't worry, the snow will continue in the mountains overnight. Look for snow in all locations including east of the crest through the early evening. As the low-pressure responsible for all the moisture shifts east overnight, we'll lose some of the mechanics generating the east-side precipitation. As a result, snow showers should taper quickly as you travel east of the Cascade crest. Strong westerly winds will continue to ring precipitation out of the atmosphere as they push moisture up the west slopes of the Cascades. The weather models indicate a Puget Sound convergence zone near or just north of Snoqualmie Pass overnight. This could bring locally heavier snow accumulations to the mountains in that area. In general, the overall pattern will favor the volcanoes from I90 south into central Oregon Friday night and Saturday. Look for moderate southwesterly winds even at lower elevations to continue to impact mountain travel.

We could see a brief break in the action Saturday night as the first weather system exits the region. However, another round of significant precipitation is close on its heels. Look for snow to spread over the area including spilling over the crest to locations further east such as Washington Pass and the Wenatchee Mountains. While this storm isn't quite as potent, it should bring significant snow accumulations to the mountains especially south of Hwy 2. 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Friday Night Snow. Moderate southwest winds.
Mt. Baker
Friday Night Snow. Moderate to strong south winds.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Friday Night Snow becoming snow showers. Moderate west winds.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Friday Night Snow. Puget Sound convergence zone possible with locally heavier precipitation. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Friday Night Snow, heaviest near the volcanoes. Moderate southwest winds.
Mt. Hood
Friday Night Snow. Moderate to strong west winds.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Friday Evening Snow Level * 3000' 2000' 500' 1000' 2000' 2000' 3000' 3000'
Friday Night Snow Level * 3000' 2000' 1000' 1000' 2000' 2000' 3000' 3000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level 3000' 1500' 1000' 1000' 2000' 2000' 3000' 3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level 2500' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level 1500' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1500' 1500' 2000' 2000'
Saturday Night Snow Level 1500' 1000' 500' 500' 1500' 2000' 2000' 2500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level 2000' 1000' 500' 500' 1500' 2000' 2000' 2500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
1500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
1000'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
500'
Washington Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
500'
Leavenworth Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Morning Snow Level
1000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
1500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
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.

Precipitation Forecast

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

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Friday Evening SW 10 - 20 S 15 - 25 SW 10 - 20 WSW 10 - 20 WSW 25 - 35
Friday Night SW 10 - 20 S 20 - 30 S 5 - 15 SW 10 - 20 W 30 - 40
Saturday Morning WNW 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 SW 5 - 15 W 10 - 20 W 35 - 45
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Friday Evening SW 10 - 20
Friday Night SW 10 - 20
Saturday Morning WNW 10 - 20
Saturday Afternoon WNW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Evening S 15 - 25
Friday Night S 20 - 30
Saturday Morning W 10 - 20
Saturday Afternoon WNW 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening SW 10 - 20
Friday Night S 5 - 15
Saturday Morning SW 5 - 15
Saturday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Friday Evening WSW 10 - 20
Friday Night SW 10 - 20
Saturday Morning W 10 - 20
Saturday Afternoon W 15 - 25
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening WSW 25 - 35
Friday Night W 30 - 40
Saturday Morning W 35 - 45
Saturday Afternoon W 35 - 45
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Friday Evening SW 10 - 20
Friday Night SW 10 - 20
Saturday Morning WNW 10 - 20
Saturday Afternoon WNW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Friday Evening S 15 - 25
Friday Night S 20 - 30
Saturday Morning W 10 - 20
Saturday Afternoon WNW 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Evening SW 10 - 20
Friday Night S 5 - 15
Saturday Morning SW 5 - 15
Saturday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Friday Evening WSW 10 - 20
Friday Night SW 10 - 20
Saturday Morning W 10 - 20
Saturday Afternoon W 15 - 25
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Friday Evening WSW 25 - 35
Friday Night W 30 - 40
Saturday Morning W 35 - 45
Saturday Afternoon W 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.

Free Winds at 9000' (mph)

Mt. Baker Washington Pass Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Friday Evening SSW 30 - 40 W 25 - 35 W 35 - 45 W 40 - 50 W 45 - 60
Friday Night SW 25 - 35 SW 20 - 30 W 30 - 40 W 35 - 45 W 45 - 60
Saturday Morning WSW 15 - 25 W 15 - 25 WNW 25 - 35 WNW 30 - 40 WNW 45 - 60
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Friday Evening SSW 30 - 40
Friday Night SW 25 - 35
Saturday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Saturday Afternoon W 25 - 35
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Evening W 25 - 35
Friday Night SW 20 - 30
Saturday Morning W 15 - 25
Saturday Afternoon W 25 - 35
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Evening W 35 - 45
Friday Night W 30 - 40
Saturday Morning WNW 25 - 35
Saturday Afternoon WNW 30 - 40
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Friday Evening W 40 - 50
Friday Night W 35 - 45
Saturday Morning WNW 30 - 40
Saturday Afternoon WNW 35 - 45
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Friday Evening W 45 - 60
Friday Night W 45 - 60
Saturday Morning WNW 45 - 60
Saturday Afternoon WNW 50 - 65

Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday

Looking at the extended forecast, the word "cold" comes to mind. Very cold air is expected to seep into the region from the north bringing freezing levels to near sea level for most locations. The question during the extended forecast is will there be any moisture to create snow? Well, that's hard to say. Lingering moisture on Sunday night and Monday seem to squeeze out a few more snow showers for some locations. As temperatures continue to cool, the air seems dry, giving us a break from the storms The active weather pattern appears to continue in the middle of next week. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Sunday Night Snow Level 0' - 1000' 0' - 1500' 500' - 2000'
Monday Snow Level 0' - 500' 0' - 500' 500' - 1500'
Monday Night Freezing Level 0' - 500' 0' - 1000' 500' - 1500' *
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Night Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Monday Snow Level
0' - 500'
Monday Night Freezing Level
0' - 500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Freezing Level
0' - 500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night Snow Level
0' - 1500'
Monday Snow Level
0' - 500'
Monday Night Freezing Level
0' - 1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Freezing Level
0' - 500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night Snow Level
500' - 2000'
Monday Snow Level
500' - 1500'
Monday Night Freezing Level
500' - 1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Freezing 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 10, 2020

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