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 sharp cold front with strong wind shear, an intense squall line and moderate to locally strong southerly winds enters the region from the WNW on Tuesday afternoon. The precipitation and southerly winds should peak early evening on Tuesday as the front crosses the Cascades and snow lines drop rapidly from around 4000-5000 ft prior to the front to around 2000-2500 ft by Wednesday morning as winds shift WSW. Overnight Tuesday, the precipitation should become significantly lighter and showery, with the heaviest precipitation focused on the southern Cascades and in convergence potentially setting up between the mountain loop and Snoqualmie Pass. Snoqualmie pass should see a transition from rain to snow during the evening, while Stevens pass should stay cool enough for all snow. Many regions across the west slopes of the Cascades should pick up 3-10" of snow Tuesday night.
Wednesday remains cool with snow levels near or below pass levels. The upper trough will bring additional instability, enhancing light to moderate snow shower activity over the region.
The trough shifts east over our region Wednesday night as a ridge slides E into our nearshore waters. The ridge ridge flattens slightly as it moves over our region on Thursday, but it is likely to give us a dry and milder day, shunting a subtropical moisture feed north into British Columbia. Cloud cover is likely to remain in northern parts of the forecast region.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Light snow showers. Strong cooling in the evening. Moderate winds becoming light. |
| Wednesday | Light snow showers or snow flurries. Cool. Light winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | Moderate to heavy snow in the early evening, then light snow showers. Rapidly cooling temperatures. Moderate winds with strong gusts early, then decreasing. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with light snow showers. Cooler. Light winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | Decreasing moderate snow in the evening, then light snow showers after midnight. Rapidly cooling temperatures. Moderate winds with strong gusts early, then decreasing. |
| Wednesday | Mostly cloudy with light snow showers or snow flurries possible. Cooler. Light to occasionally moderate winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Moderate rain and snow in the evening, then becoming light to moderate snow showers, heaviest in convergence. Moderate 5000 ft winds with strong gusts early, then decreasing. Light E pass-level winds in the early evening rapidly switching W. |
| Wednesday | Light to moderate snow showers. Cooler. Light to moderate 5000 ft and pass-level winds, becoming light. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Rain and snow in the evening, becoming snow showers after midnight, moderate intensity at Paradise and light at Crystal and White Passes. Moderate winds with strong gusts early, then decreasing. |
| Wednesday | Light to moderate snow showers, heaviest at Paradise. Rapidly cooling temperatures. Light to moderate 5000 ft winds, becoming light. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Moderate snow becoming light to moderate snow showers after midnight. Rapidly cooling temperatures. Moderate winds with strong gusts early, then decreasing. |
| Wednesday | Moderate to heavy snow showers. Cooler temperatures. Moderate winds. |
Issued: 2:17 PM PST Tuesday, November 24, 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 | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | 3000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | Freezing Level | 4000' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3000' | 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 4500' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' |
* 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 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.75 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.75 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | 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: 2:17 PM PST Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 0 - 10 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 | WSW 0 - 10 | W 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Tuesday Night | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 | WNW 10 - 20 | WNW 15 - 25 | WNW 15 - 25 | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Tuesday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 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: 2:17 PM PST Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday
The mild ridge of high pressure lingers over our region Thursday night and eventually breaks down late in the day on Friday. Models have some light amounts of moisture brushing northern Washington Thursday night. On Friday, clouds should linger in the north, but central and southern parts of the region will experience a very mild day. Freezing levels may get as high as 10,000 ft in the Mt. Hood area.
A cold front is expected late Friday night into Saturday with a quick shot of rain and snow and some cooling. Chances of accumulating snows are better in the northern parts of the forecast region where temperatures will be much cooler throughout the storm, with accumulations likely at mid and upper elevations elsewhere.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Friday | Freezing Level | 3500' - 4500' | 6000' - 8000' | 8000' - 10000' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 4000' - 6000' | 7500' - 9500' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 5000' - 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Friday |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Friday |
Freezing Level 6000' - 8000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 6000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Friday |
Freezing Level 8000' - 10000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7500' - 9500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5000' - 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Nov 23, 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.