Issued: 2:39 PM PST Tuesday, March 3, 2020
by Robert Hahn

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 Monday

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.
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.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Tuesday Night Light to moderate snow. Cooling temperatures. Strong alpine winds.
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.
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.
Mt. Hood
Tuesday Night Periods of light rain and snow, primarily on the west side of Mt. Hood.

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'
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 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 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
0.25 LT 0.10 0 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Monday 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50
Monday 0.75 -1.00
Monday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Monday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.75
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50
Monday LT 0.25
Monday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Monday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night LT 0.10
Monday 0
Monday Night 0
Monday 0
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Monday LT 0.10
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Monday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Monday 0
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.25
Monday LT 0.10
Monday Night 0
Monday 0

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
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
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

Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday

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'
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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