Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Monday
Stormy weather should continue Thursday with warm, wet, and windy conditions for all locations. At 4 am, most of the NWAC weather stations were recording above freezing temperatures. Some weak inversions and east flow in the passes brought slightly cooler temperatures to surface locations in a few areas. However, continued warming is expected today with snow levels firmly in the near treeline bands or higher for all locations. Precipitation seems to hang up over the region with most areas receiving moderate to heavy rain and high elevation snow. This system packs enough of a punch to push showers to locations east of the Cascade crest particularly north of I90. Moderate and strong winds continue to add to the storm's severity.
The bulk of the precipitation eventually gets nudged out of the region overnight by an approaching trough in the jetstream, but there should be plenty of water in the atmosphere to continue to ring out additional rain and snow. Precipitation appears to become more showery Thursday night and Friday with the highest water numbers focussed on the volcanoes and mountain passes. Snowlevels look to creep down Friday as cooler air moves into the region from the west bringing a return to snow for terrain above about 4000'. The active weather pattern seems to continue over the next several days.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday | Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Moderate winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday | Stormy. Rain and high elevation snow. Moderate to strong winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday | Rain and snow showers, especially in the northern areas. Moderate to strong alpine winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday | Stormy. Rain and high elevation snow. Light east flow at the Pass. Moderate to strong ridgecrest winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday | Stormy. Rain and high elevation snow especially near the volcanoes. Moderate winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday | Stormy. Rain and high elevation snow. Strong winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
Issued: 6:39 AM PST Thursday, January 23, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 6500' | 6500' | 4000' | 4000' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' | 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 6500' | 6500' | 5000' | 5500' | 6500' | 6500' | 7000' | 7500' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 6000' | 6000' | 5000' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 5500' | 5500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 5500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (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' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 6000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
* 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
| Thursday | Thursday Night | Monday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.00 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Thursday Night | 1.00 |
| Monday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 1.00 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Thursday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Monday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 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: 6:39 AM PST Thursday, January 23, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 | S 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 10 - 20 | SSW 10 - 20 | S 10 - 20 | SSW 5 - 15 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 40 - 55 | SW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 35 - 45 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 35 - 45 | SSW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 40 | SSW 30 - 40 | SW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 55 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Friday 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Jan 22, 2020
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.