Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Tuesday
Friday featured above freezing temperatures into the alpine in many locations across the region with sunny skies gradually giving way to mid and high-level clouds.
The next frontal system currently arrives along the Olympic coastline, featuring a frontal rainband with moderate to heavy precipitation. The frontal system should cross the region Friday evening, bringing the rain and snow with it and sharp cooling. Snow levels could be down to 2000 ft by late evening in many locations as post-frontal shower activity follows in the wake of the front. Precipitation should be the heaviest overnight where the frontal rainband is thicker (in the central and north Cascades). The upper-level low passes later Saturday night and the unstable air associated with a digging trough on Sunday should favor southern Washington and particularly the Mt. Hood region for snowfall on Saturday, with most of the event already finished for Mt. Baker by mid-morning on Saturday.
Areas favored by a southerly flow, such as Mt. Baker, can expect winds to peak in the evening with the frontal passage. A significant westerly push behind the front should bring additional wind through the passes and E slopes of the Cascades overnight with some lingering into the morning. This wind event should not be as strong or as long-lived as with the storm last weekend.
Convergence may enhance snow in the Central Cascades on Saturday into Saturday evening with the convergence activity likely shifting southward through the central Cascades on Saturday, potentially lingering on Snoqualmie Pass Saturday evening or even the Crystal Mountain area Saturday evening. Storm totals should be in the 6-12" range for the west slopes of the Cascades and passes with 12-16" for Mt. Baker, Paradise, and Mt. Hood.
Northerly flow associated with an offshore ridge moving in aloft should end lingering convergence Saturday night, leaving a cool, generally fair-weather day on Sunday with some trapped low-level moisture near and west of the Cascade Crest leading to partly cloudy conditions.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Friday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow changing to all snow. Strong cooling. Moderate 5000 ft winds. |
| Saturday | Cool with light snow showers. |
Mt. Baker
| Friday Night | Moderate to heavy rain and snow changing to all snow as temperatures drop quickly in the early evening. Moderate 5000 ft winds gusting strong in the evening. |
| Saturday | Decreasing light snow showers with some sun breaks likely in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Friday Night | Increasing light to moderate snow developing and quickly changing to all snow and continuing overnight. Strong crest-level winds from Washington Pass southward, potentially very strong in the central Cascades easing somewhat by morning. |
| Saturday | Decreasing light to moderate snow showers and more intense convergence spillover generally becoming lighter by afternoon. Moderate to strong crest-level winds lingering longer in the Washington Pass area. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday Night | Moderate rain and snow changing to all snow by 7-8 PM. Strong to very strong crest-level winds. W winds through the Passes 15-25 mph. |
| Saturday | Moderate snow showers and convergence activity. Convergence shifts southward during the day,, potentially focusing on Snoqualmie Pass in the late afternoon. W winds through the Passes 10-20 mph. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Friday Night | Rain and snow developing during the evening hours quickly switching to all snow. Precipitation should be moderate to heavy at Paradise; moderate at White Pass; and light at Crystal. Alpine winds will be strong to very strong. |
| Saturday | Heavier snow showers in the early morning decrease and become generally light by late in the day. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday Night | Increasing moderate rain and snow changing to all snow by late evening. Very strong alpine winds. |
| Saturday | Moderate to heavy (at times) snow showers decreasing late in the day. Moderate alpine winds. |
Issued: 2:31 PM PST Friday, February 28, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | 2500' | 3500' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 1000' | 0' | 500' | 1000' | 500' | 1000' | 500' | 1000' |
| Sunday Morning | Freezing Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing 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
| Friday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.75 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
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: 2:31 PM PST Friday, February 28, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | W 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
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 Evening | SW 35 - 45 | SW 40 - 50 | WSW 40 - 55 | WSW 35 - 50 | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Friday Night | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 40 - 50 | W 40 - 55 | W 40 - 50 | W 40 - 55 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 | WNW 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | WNW 20 - 30 | W 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Night | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Friday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Saturday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Friday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Saturday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
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: 2:31 PM PST Friday, February 28, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
Active weather continues as a series of systems move over the back side of a strong offshore ridge late Sunday through Tuesday, bringing light to moderate rain and snow on a warming trend. Snow likely changes to rain at pass level by late Monday night.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2500' | 1500' - 3000' | 1500' - 3500' | |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 3000' - 400' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 3000' - 400' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 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.
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 28, 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.