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 Saturday
Dry and in some areas mild weather will extend overnight as an upper level ridge currently over our region slides east and a Pacific frontal system approaches from the NW. Light rain and snow should develop on the Olympic Peninsula before daybreak and spread inland to the Cascades during the late morning hours. The cold front is forecast to pass through the Cascades in the afternoon. Overall this looks like a rather run-of-the-mill front with light precipitation accumulations during the day. Snow levels will fall with the onset of precipitation and winds will increase in the afternoon, especially in the Mt. Hood area.
A Puget Sound Convergence Zone will likely add locally heavier accumulations Thursday evening. A trailing upper level shortwave trough will induce more widespread snow shower activity later Thursday night through Friday morning, with a quick 5-10 inches of snow likely along the west slopes of the Cascades and Passes with slightly lower amounts elsewhere. Post-frontal westerly winds should be the bigger story Thursday night through Friday morning with widespread strong winds expected across the area including the east slopes of the Cascades.
Showers should become light and scattered by Friday afternoon but cool and mostly cloudy conditions will stick around for the remainder of the day.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of light rain and snow late. |
| Thursday | Light rain and snow developing in the morning. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of light rain and snow late. |
| Thursday | Light rain and snow developing in the morning and becoming light to occasionally moderate in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy after midnight with periods of high clouds. |
| Thursday | Light rain and snow developing late morning. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy after midnight with periods of high clouds. Variable light winds at Pass level. |
| Thursday | Light rain and snow developing late morning. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear. Temperature inversions, milder upper slopes cooler lower slopes. |
| Thursday | Light rain and snow developing late morning. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear. Temperature inversions, milder upper slopes cooler lower slopes. |
| Thursday | Light rain and snow developing mid-day. West winds becoming strong in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:01 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 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 | Freezing Level | 7000' | 2500' | 2000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 8000' | 9000' |
| Wednesday Night | Freezing Level | 7000' | 2500' | 1500' | 2000' | 3500' | 5500' | 7000' | 8000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 2500' | 2000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 6000' | 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 2500' | 4000' | 4500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4500' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 7000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 7000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 1500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 8000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 7000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 9000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 8000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
* 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 | Saturday | Saturday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0 | 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | 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: 2:01 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | WNW 5 - 15 | NW 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | WNW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 | W 10 - 20 | WNW 20 - 30 | WNW 20 - 30 | NW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 30 - 40 | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| 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.
Issued: 2:01 PM PST Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
As we get closer to the holiday weekend, an active weather pattern still seems likely but the details haven't gotten any less murky with each passing model run. There's moderate confidence a weak warm front will pass over the area Friday night with the sagging cold front boundary stalling over the area and weakening.
How a new wave develops along that old frontal boundary Saturday is still undecided, with quite the spread of model solutions. Moderate precipitation may overspread the entire region Saturday and Saturday night, or the storm track may stick further south, impacting mainly the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area and leaving areas to the north with lighter showers. Given the range of outcomes, there is low confidence in the precipitation and snow level forecast for the weekend.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
* 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 12, 2020
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