Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Tuesday
Updated due to an error in the Mt. Rainier snow levels.
A weak front crossed the Cascades on Thursday afternoon with only very light precipitation for the central and north Washington Cascades. It has spawned a convergence zone currently located over northern Snohomish County, but this should shift southward during the evening hours and further overnight, focusing on the central Cascades, generally from Snoqualmie Pass northward. Snow shower activity should increase during the evening hours throughout the region as colder air moves into the region, associated with an upper trough. W or WNW winds should ramp up and should peak Thursday evening (strong to extreme in some alpine locations), but maintain significant speed through much of the day on Friday before gradually decreasing. Expect the strongest winds east of the Cascades Crest, and from the central Washington Cascades south to Mt. Hood. The westerly wind accelerates through E-W passes, so winds should be significant down to Pass level. Post-frontal snow-showers should be lighter on Friday and gradually decreasing with continued chances for some convergence in the central Cascades.
Westerly flow continues Friday night with very light snow showers in the evening and then a slight increase in snow as a new system approaches from the west. A new low is forecast to develop along the front in the vicinity of Vancouver Island, strengthening the system on Saturday and bringing increasing moderate snowfall to the region, peaking in the Cascades in the late afternoon and evening hours.
Snow levels don't change drastically, varying between 1000-3000 ft during this period.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday Night | Light snow showers. |
| Friday | Decreasing light snow showers. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday Night | Light to occasionally moderate snow. |
| Friday | Decreasing light snow showers. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday Night | Light snow showers, heaviest in the central Cascades where convergence may spill over. Strong to extreme alpine winds, particularly in central and south parts. |
| Friday | Decreasing light snow showers, heaviest in the central Cascades where convergence may spill over. Decreasing strong to very strong alpine winds, particularly in central and south parts. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday Night | Moderate snow, heaviest in convergence bands, likely focused on Snohomish county in the evening, with chances of convergence shifting southward toward Snoqualmie overnight as well. West winds 15-25 mph through the mountain gaps and moderate to strong at 5000 ft. |
| Friday | Decreasing light to moderate snow becoming more showery and heaviest in convergence. W wind 10-20 mph through the Passes and light to moderate at 5000 ft. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday Night | Moderate snow at Paradise, light to moderate snow at White Pass, and light snow at Crystal. Strong to extreme alpine winds. |
| Friday | Light snow showers. Decreasing strong to very strong alpine winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday Night | Moderate snow. Very strong to extreme alpine winds. |
| Friday | Light snow showers. Very strong to extreme alpine winds decreasing very gradually. |
Issued: 4:48 PM PST Thursday, February 13, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
* 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
| Thursday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 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: 4:48 PM PST Thursday, February 13, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 | W 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | W 45 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | W 35 - 45 | W 30 - 40 | W 35 - 45 | W 45 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 | NW 45 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | WNW 30 - 40 | WNW 25 - 35 | NW 40 - 55 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Friday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 45 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | W 45 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | NW 45 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon | NW 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.
Issued: 4:48 PM PST Thursday, February 13, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
The reasonably juicy frontal system arriving Saturday slides southward on Saturday night, with decreasing snow expected from north to south. Decreasing perturbations in a NW flow should keep snow showers continuing on and off Sunday through Monday as a ridge builds into the near-shore waters, cutting off the moisture supply. Snow levels drop slightly Saturday night and stay low throughout the period.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
* 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 13, 2020
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