Issued: 1:49 PM PST Tuesday, February 4, 2020
by Dallas Glass

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 Monday

We're in for another wet and wild few days in the mountains. Three major pieces tell the story of the short-term forecast: warm, wet, and windy. Warm: Snow levels will begin to climb overnight in all locations. Areas from about I90 south should experience the greatest warming. Mild temperatures expand to all areas by mid-day Wednesday with snow levels exceeding Pass elevations. Once snow levels peak Wednesday afternoon, they seem to hover at about that elevation through the near term forecast period. Wet: You may hear phrases like "atmospheric river" with this event. That should paint the picture pretty well. Even though weather models continue to struggle with exactly how much precipitation to expect, this looks like a wet system. Anticipate near-continuous moderate to heavy rain and snow in the mountains. Initially, the storm hangs up on the Cascade crest, but as more moisture piles up, showers spillover into areas further east. Windy: Look for moderate to strong winds even at mid-elevations. Winds will continue to increase with very strong and extreme alpine winds developing. The stormy pattern, with mild temperatures, moderate to heavy rain and snow, and moderate to strong winds, appears to continue unbroken until late Thursday night. 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Tuesday Night Cloudy with warming temperatures. Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate winds increasing.
Mt. Baker
Tuesday Night Cloudy. Moderate rain and snow. Moderate winds increasing.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Tuesday Night Cloudy. Rain and snow showers. Light to moderate winds.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Tuesday Night Stormy. Heavy rain and snow with warming temperatures. Moderate to strong winds.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Tuesday Night Stormy. Moderate to heavy rain and snow with warming. Moderate winds.
Mt. Hood
Tuesday Night Moderate to heavy rain and snow with warming temperatures. Moderate winds becoming strong.

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 4500' 1500' 1500' 1500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 2500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level 6000' 2500' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3500' 4000' 4500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level 7000' 4500' 3500' 3500' 4000' 5000' 5000' 6000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level 7000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 4500' 5500' 6000' 7000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level 6500' 5500' 5000' 5500' 5000' 6000' 6500' 7000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level 6500' 5000' 5000' 5500' 5000' 6000' 6000' 6500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level 6500' 5000' 4500' 5500' 4500' 6000' 6000' 6000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
6000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
7000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
7000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
6500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6500'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
2500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Washington Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
2500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Leavenworth Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
2500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
5500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
5500'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
5000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
6000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
6500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
7000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
7000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'

* 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 Monday Monday Night Monday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.25 0.50 - 0.75
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.50 - 0.75 0.75 0.75 1.00 - 1.50
Washington Pass 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 -1.00
Leavenworth LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25 0.50 - 0.75
Stevens Pass 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.50
Snoqualmie Pass 1.00 - 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 - 2.00
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt 0.50 - 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 -1.00
Paradise 1.50 1.50 - 2.00 1.50 1.50
White Pass 0.75 -1.00 1.00 - 1.50 0.75 0.75 -1.00
Mt Hood Meadows 0.50 - 0.75 1.00 0.75 0.50 - 0.75
0.75 1.00 0.75 0.50 - 0.75
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday 0.75
Monday Night 0.75
Monday 1.00 - 1.50
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.25
Monday 0.50
Monday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 1.00
Monday 1.00
Monday Night 1.00
Monday 1.50
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Monday 1.50
Monday Night 1.50
Monday 1.50 - 2.00
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0.25
Monday 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday 0.75
Monday Night 0.75
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 1.50
Monday 1.50 - 2.00
Monday Night 1.50
Monday 1.50
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.75 -1.00
Monday 1.00 - 1.50
Monday Night 0.75
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday 1.00
Monday Night 0.75
Monday 0.50 - 0.75
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.75
Monday 1.00
Monday Night 0.75
Monday 0.50 - 0.75

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Tuesday Evening SW 10 - 20 SSW 15 - 25 W 20 - 30 W 10 - 20 W 15 - 25
Tuesday Night W 15 - 25 SW 15 - 25 W 20 - 30 W 10 - 20 W 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning W 15 - 25 SW 15 - 25 W 25 - 35 W 15 - 25 W 40 - 55
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Tuesday Evening SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Night W 15 - 25
Wednesday Morning W 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon W 20 - 30
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Evening SSW 15 - 25
Tuesday Night SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Morning SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon W 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening W 20 - 30
Tuesday Night W 20 - 30
Wednesday Morning W 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon W 30 - 40
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Tuesday Evening W 10 - 20
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Wednesday Morning W 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon W 20 - 30
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening W 15 - 25
Tuesday Night W 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning W 40 - 55
Wednesday Afternoon W 40 - 55
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening SW 10 - 20
Tuesday Night W 15 - 25
Wednesday Morning W 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon W 20 - 30
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening SSW 15 - 25
Tuesday Night SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Morning SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon W 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening W 20 - 30
Tuesday Night W 20 - 30
Wednesday Morning W 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon W 30 - 40
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening W 10 - 20
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Wednesday Morning W 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon W 20 - 30
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening W 15 - 25
Tuesday Night W 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning W 40 - 55
Wednesday Afternoon W 40 - 55

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 W 35 - 45 W 30 - 40 NW 45 - 60 NW 45 - 60 NW 45 - 60
Tuesday Night W 35 - 45 W 35 - 45 NW 40 - 55 NW 45 - 60 NW 50 - 65
Wednesday Morning W 35 - 45 W 40 - 55 W 45 - 60 NW 45 - 60 NW 55 - 70
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening W 35 - 45
Tuesday Night W 35 - 45
Wednesday Morning W 35 - 45
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 30 - 40
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening W 30 - 40
Tuesday Night W 35 - 45
Wednesday Morning W 40 - 55
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 40 - 55
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening NW 45 - 60
Tuesday Night NW 40 - 55
Wednesday Morning W 45 - 60
Wednesday Afternoon NW 50 - 65
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening NW 45 - 60
Tuesday Night NW 45 - 60
Wednesday Morning NW 45 - 60
Wednesday Afternoon NW 50 - 65
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening NW 45 - 60
Tuesday Night NW 50 - 65
Wednesday Morning NW 55 - 70
Wednesday Afternoon NW 55 - 70

Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday

After a thorough soaking in the Tuesday through Thursday event, we should get a brief break late Thursday night. Precipitation seems to turn-off rather rapidly as a building high-pressure ridge closes the faucet on the atmospheric river. Temperatures cool and drag snow levels down as showers end. The break looks short-lived as an approaching storm system steers toward the Pacific Northwest. This system is a long way out, and the weather models don't quite agree on the specifics at this point. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Thursday Night Snow Level 3000' - 5000' 3500' - 5500' 5000' - 6500'
Friday Snow Level 2500' - 3500' 3000' - 4000' 4500' - 6000'
Friday Night Snow Level 2000' - 3000' 2500' - 4000' 4500' - 5500' *
Mt. Baker Elevation
Thursday Night Snow Level
3000' - 5000'
Friday Snow Level
2500' - 3500'
Friday Night Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night Snow Level
3500' - 5500'
Friday Snow Level
3000' - 4000'
Friday Night Snow Level
2500' - 4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night Snow Level
5000' - 6500'
Friday Snow Level
4500' - 6000'
Friday Night Snow Level
4500' - 5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Snow Level
2500' - 4500'

* 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 Feb 4, 2020

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