Issued: 2:18 PM PST Monday, January 27, 2020
by Robert Hahn

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 Monday

The storms keep coming...

A strong frontal system moves into the Pacific Northwest with a band of heavy precipitation. This should arrive with relatively cool air in place across our mountains, providing us with a round of heavy snow across the Pacific Northwest this evening and into the overnight hours. Winds should be strong at Crest Level and generally moderate at 5000 ft, with the Crest Level winds aimed from I-90 south to Mt. Hood. As the frontal system approaches it's raising snow levels in some areas, but with easterly winds easterly through the Passes and a low pressure offshore maintaining the E flow even after the front passes, these winds are likely to keep Snoqualmie Pass cool enough for Snow with changeover to rain difficult to pin down either in the early morning or late morning hours on Tuesday. Many areas will see more than 1" of SWE overnight, but as the detached and filling low follows an upper trough into Washington State during the day on Tuesday, precipitation should decrease more in the north than where the westerly flow is stronger in the southern WA Cascades and Mt. Hood areas.

A weak shortwave ridge will move into the region Tuesday evening, cutting down on rain and snow shower activity with some partial clearing skies possible before the clouds increase ahead of a frontal system arriving with a warming trend, likely bringing a modest round of precipitation with snow to start, but a transition to rain for most ski area bases west of the Cascade Crest by the end of the day.

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Monday Night Moderate rain and snow in the evening then light rain and snow showers with heavier precipitation at times. Moderate winds gusting strong at 5000 ft in the evening, then becoming light. Warming in the early evening hours.
Mt. Baker
Monday Night Heavy snow. Moderate 5000 ft winds gusting strong.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Monday Night Heavy snow decreasing to moderate by the early morning hours. Moderate winds at 5000 ft stronger in the central Cascades than in the north.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Monday Night Stormy with heavy snow at Snoqualmie Pass. Moderate snow at Stevens Pass. Moderate winds gusting strong. Moderate E winds decreasing through the Passes. Significant snow accumulations expected.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Monday Night Very stormy with heavy rain and snow. Strong to very strong alpine winds. Gradual warming trend.
Mt. Hood
Monday Night Heavy rain and snow. Strong to very strong alpine winds.

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 * 4000' 2500' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 5000'
Monday Night Snow Level * 4000' 2500' 1500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 4000' 5000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level * 3000' 3000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 3500' 3500' 3500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level 3500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level 4000' 3000' 1000' 1500' 3000' 3000' 2500' 3500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level * 3500' 2000' 1000' 1500' 2500' 2000' 2000' 4000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
2500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday 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

Monday 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 LT 0.25 0 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 1.50 0.50 LT 0.10 0.75
Washington Pass 0.75 LT 0.25 0 0.25
Leavenworth 0.50 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass 0.75 0.25 LT 0.10 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass 1.00 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 0.50
Mission Ridge 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.10 0 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 1.00 0.25 0 LT 0.25
Paradise 1.50 - 2.00 1.00 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 -1.00
White Pass 0.75 0.50 LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 1.00 1.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 -1.00
1.00 1.50 0.50 0.75 -1.00
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.50
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 1.50
Monday 0.50
Monday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.75
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.75
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0
Monday 0.25
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.50
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.75
Monday 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 1.00
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Monday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.50
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 1.00
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0
Monday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 1.50 - 2.00
Monday 1.00
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 0.75
Monday 0.50
Monday Night LT 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 1.00
Monday 1.50
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Monday Night 1.00
Monday 1.50
Monday Night 0.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Monday Evening SSW 20 - 30 E 15 - 25 ESE 20 - 30 S 20 - 30 SW 25 - 35
Monday Night SSW 5 - 15 S 15 - 25 WSW 20 - 30 WSW 20 - 30 WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning S 5 - 15 S 5 - 15 S 10 - 20 SSW 10 - 20 WSW 20 - 30
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Evening SSW 20 - 30
Monday Night SSW 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning S 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon ESE 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Evening E 15 - 25
Monday Night S 15 - 25
Tuesday Morning S 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon S 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Evening ESE 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning S 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Monday Evening S 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning SSW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Evening SW 25 - 35
Monday Night WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SSW 20 - 30
Monday Night SSW 5 - 15
Tuesday Morning S 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon ESE 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Evening E 15 - 25
Monday Night S 15 - 25
Tuesday Morning S 5 - 15
Tuesday Afternoon S 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening ESE 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning S 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Evening S 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning SSW 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 25 - 35
Monday Night WSW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40

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 SW 30 - 45 SW 25 - 35 SSW 40 - 50 SW 40 - 50 WSW 40 - 55
Monday Night SW 30 - 45 SW 25 - 35 WSW 35 - 45 WSW 35 - 45 WSW 50 - 65
Tuesday Morning SSW 20 - 30 SW 20 - 30 SW 20 - 30 WSW 20 - 30 WSW 40 - 55
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 30 - 45
Monday Night SW 30 - 45
Tuesday Morning SSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 0 - 10
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 25 - 35
Monday Night SW 25 - 35
Tuesday Morning SW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon W 5 - 15
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SSW 40 - 50
Monday Night WSW 35 - 45
Tuesday Morning SW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon W 15 - 25
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Evening SW 40 - 50
Monday Night WSW 35 - 45
Tuesday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Evening WSW 40 - 55
Monday Night WSW 50 - 65
Tuesday Morning WSW 40 - 55
Tuesday Afternoon W 40 - 55

Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday

We remain on the warm side of the storm track for the west of the week. A weak system may brush southern parts of the forecast area bringing rain and high elevation snow to the southern Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area. A stronger system aims at Washington State Thursday night and Friday and taps into subtropical moisture to become an atmospheric river by late Friday.  Both the GFS and Euro begin to bump this moisture northward with some west coast ridging by late Friday as the precipitation intensifies, so it remains to be seen whether the heaviest rain and snow mostly hit southern British Columbia or our region. Suffice it to say, it will be very wet, with high snow levels likely up to 7000-9000 ft.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Wednesday Night Snow Level 3000' - 4000' 3500' - 4500' 5500' - 6500'
Thursday Snow Level 3000' - 4000' 3000' - 5000' 6000' - 7500' *
Friday Snow Level 6000' - 7000' 7000' - 8000' 7500' - 8500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3000' - 4000'
Thursday Snow Level
3000' - 4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Snow Level
6000' - 7000'
Friday Snow Level
' - '
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500' - 4500'
Thursday Snow Level
3000' - 5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Snow Level
7000' - 8000'
Friday Snow Level
' - '
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Night Snow Level
5500' - 6500'
Thursday Snow Level
6000' - 7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Snow Level
7500' - 8500'
Friday Snow Level
' - '

* 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 27, 2020

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