Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Tuesday
Warm, wet, and windy seems to sum up the short-term forecast. Widespread precipitation should cover most of the region Wednesday night and into the day Thursday. There's enough momentum with this round of precipitation to bring showers east of the Cascades, particularly north of Hwy 2. Weather models tend to agree that this system should be a significant water producer in most areas. The trickier part of the forecast is the timing of the warm-up. A pulse of warm air will work from south and west to the north and east. This will shoot snow levels well into the near treeline band for nearly all locations. Most areas are expected to see this increase overnight, but places like Mt Baker and WA Pass could hang on to colder air into the morning hours Thursday. The warm air appears to win the battle in all areas, including valleys east of the crest, by mid-morning Thursday. Moderate to strong winds will accompany the warm and wet pattern throughout the time period, adding to the ferocity of the storm.
Precipitation should become more showery in nature late Thursday into Thursday night/Friday as a weak cold-front swings into the region. However, don't get too excited about the word "cold". Snowlevels only seem to nudge down one of two thousand feet for Friday. Weather models disagree with how much rain and snow to expect late in the forecast period, but they do concur that an active weather pattern will continue.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday Night | Snow showers turning to rain with warming temperatures. Moderate winds. |
| Thursday | Cloudy. Rain showers. Moderate winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday Night | Moderate to heavy snow, becoming rain and snow with warming temperatures. Moderate winds increasing and becoming strong. |
| Thursday | Rain and snow, heavy at times. Strong winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday Night | Rain and snow showers increasing. Warming trend. Moderate winds. |
| Thursday | Rain and snow showers. Continued warming. Moderate winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Rain and snow with warming temperatures. Light easterly flow at Pass level. Moderate winds at ridgecrest. |
| Thursday | Rain and high elevation snow. Moderate winds at ridgecrest decreasing slightly in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday Night | Rain and snow, heaviest near the Volcanoes, with warming temperatures. Moderate winds. |
| Thursday | Rain and high elevations snow, heaviest near the Volcanoes. Moderate winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | Rain and high elevation snow. Strong winds. |
| Thursday | Rain and high elevation snow. Strong winds. |
Issued: 1:50 PM PST Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level * | 5500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' | 5500' | 6000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 6500' | 6000' | 4000' | 5500' | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 6500' | 6000' | 4500' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' | 7000' | 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 6000' | 6000' | 5000' | 6500' | 6500' | 6500' | 7000' | 7000' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 6000' | 6000' | 5000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' | 6000' | 6500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 5500' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (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
| Wednesday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.00 | 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 1.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
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: 1:50 PM PST Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 | S 20 - 30 | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 | S 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | S 15 - 25 | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 35 - 45 | WSW 40 - 55 | WSW 40 - 55 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 40 - 55 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday 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: 1:50 PM PST Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
A series of Pacific storms appear poised to march across the region over the long-term forecast continuing the active and wet weather pattern. Look for periods of heavy precipitation as each storm impacts the area followed by breaks in the action between systems. There's still a lot of questions about timing, strength, and snowlevels with each weather system, but there's decent confidence that we'll stay in the storm track for the time being.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 4500' - 6500' | * |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 5000' | 5000' - 6000' | * |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3500' - 5000' | 4500' - 6000' | * |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3500' - 5000' | 4000' - 5500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3500' - 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' - 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5500' |
* 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 22, 2020
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