Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Thursday
Updated water numbers for Mt. Baker and Paradise at 8:30 AM: An atmospheric river continues to impact the Pacific Northwest, bringing subtropical moisture and 6000-9000 ft snow levels, multiple inches of rainfall to the west slopes and passes of Washington State with significant terrain enhancement and flow blocking further east.
A frontal system draped across the Pacific Northwest leaves us on the warm side, with heavy rain and high elevation snow focused on northern Washington State with strong to very strong SW flow aloft. A new warm front lifting NE across the region should further ramp up winds and subtle warming during the morning hours with rain and high elevation snow intensifying. The frontal package lifts far enough north that heavier rain and snow shift northward late in the day, shifting much of the heavier rain and snow into British Columbia, and leaving our region with light to moderately heavy rain and snow (heaviest in the north).
This evening, the associated cold front moves SE and spreads the heavy rain and high elevation snow back into NW Washington and then throughout Washington by the early morning hours. Strong to extreme crest-level winds maintain or even increase.
The cold front moves through the region during the morning hours with a rapid lowering of snow levels behind the front and decreasing moderate snow showers and some convergence expected from late morning through the afternoon as winds finally ramp down.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Friday | Increasing moderate rain. Strong to extreme ridgetop winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Friday | Heavy rain and very high elevation snow, heaviest in the morning hours. Increasing strong to extreme crest-level winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Friday | Heavy rain and very high elevation snow, heaviest in the morning hours. Strong gradient E to W in this zone, with much heavier precipitation near the Cascade Crest. Increasing strong to extreme crest-level winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday | Heavy rain and very high elevation snow, heaviest in the morning hours. Increasing strong to extreme crest-level winds. Increasing moderate W winds through the Passes. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Friday | Heavy rain and very high elevation snow at Paradise in the morning, decreasing. Decreasing light to moderate rain and very high elevation snow at White Pass and light precipitation at Paradise. Strong to very strong Crest-Level winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday | Periods of light rain and high elevation snow along with rising snow levels. Increasing strong to very strong alpine winds. |
Issued: 8:29 AM PST Friday, January 31, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 7000' | 6000' | 6000' | 7500' | 7000' | 7500' | 7500' | 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 8000' | 6500' | 6500' | 8000' | 7500' | 7500' | 8000' | 9000' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | 8000' | 6500' | 7000' | 7500' | 7000' | 7000' | 7500' | 10000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 6500' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' | 6500' | 7000' | 7500' | 9500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 6000' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 7500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 2500' | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 9000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 10000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 9500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Saturday 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
| Friday | Friday Night | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.75 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 2.50 | 2.00 - 2.50 | 1.00 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.75 -1.00 | LT 0.10 | 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Paradise | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | 0 | 1.50 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | 0 | 1.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.75 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 2.50 |
| Friday Night | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Thursday | 1.00 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 1.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 1.50 |
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: 8:29 AM PST Friday, January 31, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | S 20 - 30 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | S 25 - 35 | WSW 40 - 55 | WSW 30 - 45 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | SSW 35 - 45 | S 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | SW 35 - 45 | WSW 40 - 60 | WSW 40 - 55 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | W 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Evening | SSW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | S 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Evening | SSW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | S 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 45 - 60 | WSW 45 - 60 | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 45 - 65 | W 45 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 | WSW 60 - 80 | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 50 - 65 | WSW 55 - 70 |
| Friday Evening | SW 55 - 70 | WNW 60 - 75 | WSW 60 - 80 | WSW 60 - 75 | WSW 60 - 75 |
| Friday Night | WSW 45 - 65 | WSW 75 - 95 | WSW 70 - 85 | ENE 70 - 85 | WSW 70 - 85 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 45 - 60 | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 55 - 70 | WSW 50 - 65 | WSW 50 - 65 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 40 - 55 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 50 - 65 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 45 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
| Friday Evening | SW 55 - 70 |
| Friday Night | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 45 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 45 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Evening | WNW 60 - 75 |
| Friday Night | WSW 75 - 95 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Night | WSW 70 - 85 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 55 - 70 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 50 - 65 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 60 - 75 |
| Friday Night | ENE 70 - 85 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 50 - 65 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | W 45 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 55 - 70 |
| Friday Evening | WSW 60 - 75 |
| Friday Night | WSW 70 - 85 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 50 - 65 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 50 - 65 |
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 31, 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.