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 Monday
Another atmospheric river event is well underway as copious amounts of moisture with a sub-tropical tap rise up and over an upper level ridge positioned well offshore. Snow levels currently around 4000' in the north to 6000' in the south (Mt. Hood) will continue their rise, peaking this evening before falling slightly after midnight and staying static for much of Thursday. The heaviest precipitation through Thursday evening will be focused along the west slopes of the Cascades from the Mountain Loop Highway to White Pass/Mt. St Helens with lighter amounts for the Olympics, Mt. Baker and Mt. Hood areas. Strong NW flow aloft will enhance the usual drying on the lee eastern side of the Cascades, morning forecasts were a bit pessimistic for areas like Leavenworth and Mission Ridge where sunshine alternated with edge of the stratiform cloud shield. Strong to extreme west winds will be felt from the I-90 corridor and south during this event.
The atmospheric river event will finally wind down late Thursday night and Friday morning. However a new low pressure system will quickly spread precipitation into the area during the day Friday.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate rain. |
| Thursday | Light to moderate rain. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow. Slight cooling trend after midnight. |
| Thursday | Moderate rain and snow. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heaviest near the crest. Slight warming trend. |
| Thursday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heaviest near the crest. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Moderate rain and snow. Slight cooling trend Stevens Pass after midnight. Strong winds. |
| Thursday | Moderate to heavy rain and snow. Slight cooling trend Stevens Pass after midnight. Strong winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday Night | Moderate rain and snow. Strong winds. |
| Thursday | Moderate to heavy rain and snow. Strong winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow. |
| Thursday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. |
Issued: 2:09 PM PST Wednesday, February 5, 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 | 6500' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 6500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | 4500' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 6500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 4500' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 6500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 4500' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 6500' | 5000' | 5000' | 6000' | 5500' | 6000' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 5000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 6000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday 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
| Wednesday 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 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 | 1.00 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.50 - 2.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.50 | 2.00 - 2.50 | 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 2.00 | 2.50 | 2.00 - 2.50 | 0.50 |
| White Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.75 | 0.75 -1.00 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.75 -1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | 1.00 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Monday | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Monday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.50 |
| Monday | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Monday Night | 1.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
| Monday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Monday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 2.00 |
| Monday | 2.50 |
| Monday Night | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Monday | 1.50 |
| Monday Night | 1.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday Night | 1.00 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 1.00 |
| Monday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Monday | 0.75 |
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: 2:09 PM PST Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | W 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 | W 20 - 30 | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 35 - 45 | W 30 - 40 | W 35 - 45 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 | WNW 40 - 50 | NW 50 - 60 | WNW 50 - 60 | WNW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | W 30 - 40 | WNW 40 - 50 | WNW 50 - 60 | WNW 50 - 60 | NW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 35 - 45 | WNW 35 - 45 | WNW 50 - 60 | WNW 50 - 60 | NW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 | W 35 - 45 | W 50 - 60 | WNW 60 - 70 | NW 60 - 70 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 50 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 60 - 70 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Morning | NW 55 - 65 |
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 60 - 70 |
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: 2:09 PM PST Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday
The cold front will sweep through Friday night with snow levels falling to around 2000' by early Saturday morning. Post-frontal snow showers will pile up new snow accumulations through mid-day. The flow aloft will start to turn northerly and showers will wind down later in the afternoon and overnight. A strong ridge will amplify offshore around 140W and direct storm systems well to our north. Sunday should be a cool and dry day.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 4000' | 2500' - 4500' | 3500' - 5500' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Sunday | Freezing Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 5500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 3000' - 4000' |
* 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 5, 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.