Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Monday & Sunday
A front passed through the area Sunday night with a cooling trend and moderate northwest winds in it's wake; especially windy near crest level. Expect the upper mountain winds to stay strong for the rest of today...blowing around all the new snow from last night and this morning. Snow showers have been surprisingly the heaviest around the Mt. Hood area where another 9 inches of generally low density snow has accumulated from early Monday morning. Some graupel was reported with the heavier showers near Mt. Rainier this afternoon. Some sunbreaks are likely this afternoon as an upper level ridge builds offshore and shower coverage wanes this evening and overnight.
A warm frontal system well offshore should begin to approach the PNW late Monday night. Forecast models are in better agreement this morning that only light dribs and drabs should affect Washington on Tuesday and miss Mt. Hood completely. A gradual warming trend should still take place during the day. The frontal boundary should sag south Tuesday night for a general lowering of clouds and increase in light precipitation over the north/central Washington Cascades and Olympics.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Monday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers. |
| Monday Night |
Partly cloudy with increasing high clouds overnight and light snow possible north Cascades and Olympics after midnight. |
| Tuesday |
Periods of light rain and snow, mainly north Cascades and Olympics. Gradual warming trend. |
| Tuesday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heaviest Olympics and north Cascades. Clouds lowering. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Monday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. |
| Monday Night |
Partly cloudy with increasing high clouds late tonight. |
| Tuesday |
Periods of light rain and snow, mainly northeast Cascades. Gradual warming trend. |
| Tuesday Night |
Light rain and snow, mainly northeast and centraleast.Cascades Clouds lowering. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Monday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers and continued windy conditions. |
| Monday Night |
Partly cloudy with increasing high clouds late Monday night. |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with a gradual warming trend. |
| Tuesday Night |
Light rain and snow after midnight. Clouds lowering. |
Issued: 2:16 PM PDT Monday, March 17, 2014
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 2500' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | 3000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 2000' |
| Tuesday Mid-day | Snow Level | 3500' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
* 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 | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0.75 - 1.00 | 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: 2:16 PM PDT Monday, March 17, 2014
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | WNW 10 - 20 | --- - | NW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | W 0 - 10 | --- - | W 0 - 10 | --- - | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | W 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | NW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | NW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - | --- - | NW 30 - 40 | --- - | NW 40 - 50 |
| Monday Night | --- - | --- - | NW 25 - 35 | --- - | NW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday | --- - | --- - | NW 20 - 30 | --- - | NW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | --- - | --- - | W 15 - 25 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | NW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday | NW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Tuesday | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | NW 40 - 50 |
| Monday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday | NW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | 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.
Issued: 2:16 PM PDT Monday, March 17, 2014
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
The front should come through the area Wednesday with a sharp cooling trend and a burst of moderate to occasionally heavy precipitation for the west slopes and Mt. Hood area. However this timing has been pushed back also, with the front not expected to pass through until mid-day to late afternoon for the Cascades. This frontal system looks fast moving when if finally does come through but has decent upper level support so it could deliver a healthy shot of snow at lowering snow levels before transitioning to moderate showers Wednesday evening. A cool upper trough combined with NW flow aloft should continue light to moderate showers at low snow levels Wednesday night and Thursday. Weak upper level ridging that builds offshore Thursday night should shift inland Friday and bring about a slow warming and drying trend.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
Moderate rain and snow, heaviest near for the west slopes, becoming moderate rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Strong cooling trend in the afternoon and breezy.
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest for the west slopes, cool.
Partly sunny.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning - Mid-day | Snow Level | ' - ' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Night | Snow Level | ' - ' | 1500' - 2500' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Friday | Freezing Level | ' - ' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning - Mid-day |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Friday |
Freezing Level ' - ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning - Mid-day |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Friday |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning - Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Friday |
Freezing 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 Mar 17, 2014
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.