Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Sunday
A frontal system approaches the region from the NW on Tuesday afternoon, spreading moderate precipitation into coastal Western Washington with light precipitation starting up in the Cascades. Rain, snow, and moderate to strong winds should ramp up across the region through the evening hours with a frontal passage expected across the Cascades between 10 PM and midnight. The front should shift SSW winds westerly, driving winds through the mountain gaps and accelerating flow east of the Cascade Crest. Expect the front to also bring strong cooling.
We're expecting 6-8" at Baker and 8-12" of snow at Stevens Pass above 3500 ft through 10 AM on Wednesday with a convergence zone likely to enhance snowfall around Stevens Pass in the early morning hours. Snoqualmie should pick up mostly rain Tuesday night, but 1-3" of snow early Wednesday morning as the convergence shifts southward. Skies should partially clear on Wednesday from late morning onwards with snow levels remaining well below pass level.
A warm front lifts across the region Wednesday night bringing significant warming to Mt. Hood and areas west of the Cascade Crest. Warming should be delayed east of the Cascade Crest, peaking on Thursday as the weakening cold front gradually slides eastward, bringing a band of weakening precipitation along with it. The moderate rain and snow should impact the Olympics much of the day, the Mt. Baker area in the afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Periods of light rain or snow in the evening, then a chance of light rain or snow shower after midnight. Cooling temperatures. Strong alpine winds in the evening hours. |
| Wednesday | Partly cloudy. Cool. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | Moderate rain and snow in the evening, then light snow showers after midnight with cooling temperatures. Strong alpine winds, peaking in the evening hours. |
| Wednesday | Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | Light to moderate snow. Cooling temperatures. Strong alpine winds. |
| Wednesday | Banded snow showers in the morning, gradually tapering. Some flurries in the afternoon with more sun than clouds. Cooler. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Moderate rain and snow, heaviest at Stevens Pass. Convergence likely developing near Stevens Pass in the early morning hours. Snow level near Stevens Pass level in the early evening and then gradually lowering and reaching Snoqualmie Pass level by the early morning hours. West wind 10-20 mph increasing to 15-25 mph overnight through the Passes. Strong alpine winds. |
| Wednesday | Snow showers and weak convergence lingering in the morning. Becoming partly cloudy with a chance of snow flurries in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Moderate rain and snow at Paradise; light rain and snow at Crystal and White Pass. Strong alpine winds. |
| Wednesday | Isolated snow showers with mostly to partly sunny skies developing. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Periods of light rain and snow, primarily on the west side of Mt. Hood. |
| Wednesday | Isolated snow showers ending in the early morning, then becoming mostly sunny. |
Issued: 2:39 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level | 3500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening | Freezing Level * | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 2500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 6500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' | 6000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday 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
| Tuesday Night | Sunday | Sunday Night | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | 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: 2:39 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 0 - 10 | SSW 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 40 - 50 | W 50 - 70 | WSW 40 - 50 | W 50 - 65 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 35 - 45 | W 45 - 60 | W 40 - 60 | W 45 - 65 | W 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | W 45 - 60 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 50 - 70 |
| Tuesday Night | W 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | W 45 - 65 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 50 - 65 |
| Tuesday Night | W 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 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: 2:39 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
The cold front continues to weaken as it crosses the Cascades, spreading light rain and snow, with snow levels beginning to drop behind the front. On Friday, SW flow continues with a trough digging offshore and a chance of light snow showers. Friday should be significantly cooler to the west of the Cascade Crest than to the east. The trough moves onshore late Friday night into Saturday morning, bringing higher chances of convective shower activity and further cooling through Saturday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 4000' | 4000' - 5500' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | 500' - 2000' | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 2000' | 500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 0' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | 1500' - 2500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 500' - 2000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 2000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 0' - 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 2500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
* 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 3, 2020
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