Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
A very wet and active weather pattern will impact our mountains in a major way.
A trough has moved into the Pacific Northwest with moderate to strong SW and WSW flow bringing scattered, but convective and locally intense rain and snow showers across the region. Snow levels are hovering around 3000 ft through this event. E flow should switch W by the early evening at the Cascade Passes as the trough axis moves over the region. A shortwave this evening should bring a period of more intense and steadier precipitation. Models have shifted the heaviest precipitation generally to the north of Stevens Pass, so Mt. Baker and Washington Pass benefit. Winds should peak with the shortwave, delivering strong winds to the alpine, with gradually decreasing WSW winds overnight and into Wednesday morning has post-frontal showers gradually decrease.
A warm front moving in from the SW is moving in slightly more rapidly than previous forecast guidance indicated, so expect intensifying snowfall throughout the day, with the Olympics, Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier areas impacted in the morning and then rain/snow picks up further north as well in the afternoon. We expect heavy rain/snow associated with this warm front and also 10-15F of warming over a 6-12 hour period for many areas. The warming should impact Mt. Hood and the Olympics significantly on Wednesday, with other areas holding off until Wednesday night. Wednesday night, the warm front focuses rain and snow on the North Cascades with a weak cold front streaming moisture into the Olympics. The front should sag gradually SE during the day on Thursday, bringing the heavier precipitation in that direction.
As warm, moist subtropical air continues to stream NW, the last pass to transition to rain should be Washington Pass sometime on Thursday afternoon with snow to rain transitions at Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Wednesday evening or night.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Moderate rain and snow showers becoming light after midnight. Gradually decreasing winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers in the morning, then increasing light to moderate snow developing from late morning onwards. Increasing winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | Heavy snow decreasing after midnight. Decreasing moderate 5000 ft winds. |
| Wednesday | Light to moderate snow tapering in the morning then increasing again late in the day with winds increasing late in the day. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | Moderate snow, possibly heavy at times. |
| Wednesday | Light snow showers tapering in the morning, then increasing light to moderate snow increasing earlier near Leavenworth and moving northward. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Moderate snow in the evening, then becoming light to occasionally moderate. Some areas may get heavier banded showers, likely north of Stevens Pass. Moderate 5000 ft winds gusting strong. Decreasing moderate W winds through the Passes becoming light. |
| Wednesday | Light snow becoming moderate to heavy in the afternoon. Increasing light 5000 ft winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. Light W winds through the Passes switching E and increasing to light to moderate late in the day. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Heavy rain/snow in the evening at Paradise, otherwise light to moderate rain/snow at Paradise and White Passes with light rain and snow at Crystal in the evening, then nearly switching off. |
| Wednesday | Moderate rain/snow becoming very heavy in the afternoon at Paradise. Increasing light to moderate rain/snow at White Pass. Increasing light rain/snow at Crystal. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Moderate to heavy rain/snow. Moderate 5000 ft winds gusting strong. |
| Wednesday | Increasing heavy rain/snow. Increasing moderate 5000 ft winds gusting strong. |
Issued: 2:17 PM PST Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 3000' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 2500' | 1500' | 1000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level * | 6000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' | 5000' | 6000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 6500' | 5000' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 6500' | 5500' | 3500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' | 6500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 5500' | 6000' | 5000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' | 6500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (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
| Tuesday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 | 0.25 | 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | 1.00 | 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0.75 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 1.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 1.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 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: 2:17 PM PST Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 | S 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 | SSE 10 - 20 | ESE 15 - 25 | SSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 45 - 60 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 30 - 40 | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 30 - 40 | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 45 - 60 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday 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.
Issued: 2:17 PM PST Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
Thursday night should continue to be very wet and mild, but a weak trough will skirt the region on Friday, drying and cooling the region slightly. A mild W wind maintains light to moderate shower activity Friday night with a stronger system moving into the region on a SW flow, bringing another round of heavy rain and high elevation snow.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 5000' - 6000' | 5000' - 6000' | 6000' - 7000' | * |
| Friday | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | * |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3500' - 5500' | 5000' - 7000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' - 5500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5000' - 7000' |
* 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 21, 2020
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