Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Monday
March appears to be starting off with a bang. The first in a series of three poorly developed storms will slide into the Northwest Sunday night, bringing precipitation to the mountains along with warming temperatures and increasing winds. Showers will spread from north to south as the shortwave system moves across the region. Most of the precipitation hangs up on the Cascade crest and only a few stray showers make further east on Monday. This first storm isn't a big water producer for the area. Its major impacts will be felt from rising snow levels and increasing winds. Cold air, already in place, will allow most of the initial precipitation to fall as snow. Warmer air creeps across the mountains Monday, driving up snow levels, and bringing rain to many below treeline areas. Wind speeds increase as the storm arrives with moderate to strong mid-elevation winds developing in most locations.
Just as the first storm starts to exit the region late Monday, the second round of precipitation arrives. Rain and snow continue across most of the forecast area Monday night, with the bulk of the moisture staying on or west of the Cascade crest. Mild and windy conditions continue with as snow levels hover between 4000 and 5500'. This system appears wetter than the first, with the greatest snow totals expected at upper elevations near the volcanoes and Cascade Passes. The third storm in the trio enters the area late Tuesday afternoon continuing the trend of mild and windy weather throughout the short-term forecast period.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Sunday Night | Cloudy with isolated snow showers. Westerly winds increasing. |
| Monday | Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Snow levels rising. Moderate westerly winds in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Sunday Night | Cloudy with snow showers. Westerly winds increasing. |
| Monday | Cloudy with rain and snow. Snow levels rising. Moderate southwesterly winds in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Sunday Night | Partly to mostly cloudy. Light westerly winds increasing. |
| Monday | Cloudy with isolated showers especially near the crest. Temperatures warming. Moderate westerly winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Sunday Night | Cloudy with scattered snow showers. Westerly winds increasing. |
| Monday | Cloudy with rain and snow. Snow levels rising. Moderate westerly winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Sunday Night | Cloudy with isolated snow showers. |
| Monday | Cloudy with rain and snow. Snow levels rising. Moderate westerly winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday Night | Mostly cloudy. Moderate westerly winds becoming strong. |
| Monday | Cloudy with isolated showers. Snow levels rising. Strong northwesterly mid-elevation winds. |
Issued: 1:59 PM PST Sunday, March 1, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' | 3000' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' |
| Monday Evening | Snow Level | 5500' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 5000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Sunday Night | Monday | Monday Night | Monday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
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: 1:59 PM PST Sunday, March 1, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | NW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | W 15 - 25 | NW 30 - 40 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | NW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | NW 30 - 40 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | NW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | NW 30 - 40 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NW 30 - 40 | NW 35 - 45 | NW 40 - 55 | NW 40 - 55 | NW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | NW 35 - 45 | NW 40 - 55 | NW 50 - 65 | NW 45 - 60 | NW 40 - 55 |
| Monday Morning | WNW 30 - 40 | WNW 30 - 40 | NW 40 - 55 | NW 40 - 55 | NNW 35 - 45 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | NW 45 - 60 | NW 35 - 45 | NNW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | NW 35 - 45 |
| Monday Morning | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | NW 40 - 55 |
| Monday Morning | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NW 40 - 55 |
| Sunday Night | NW 50 - 65 |
| Monday Morning | NW 40 - 55 |
| Monday Afternoon | NW 45 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NW 40 - 55 |
| Sunday Night | NW 45 - 60 |
| Monday Morning | NW 40 - 55 |
| Monday Afternoon | NW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | NW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | NW 40 - 55 |
| Monday Morning | NNW 35 - 45 |
| Monday Afternoon | NNW 30 - 40 |
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: 1:59 PM PST Sunday, March 1, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday
The active weather pattern doesn't let up for the first week of March. Rain and snow continue in the mountains Tuesday night and Wednesday as the third storm moves across the Northwest. But, that's not the end. Weather models show a larger more developed low-pressure storm system poised to impact the region later in the week. It’s too early to talk specifics, but at present models show this storm arriving late Thursday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 4000' | 3000' - 4500' | 4000' - 5500' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2500' | 2000' - 3500' | 3500' - 5000' | |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 3000' - 4500' | * |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 1500' - 3500' | 2000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 2000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 3500' - 5000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
* 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 Mar 1, 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.