Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Monday
Scattered showers at moderate snow levels should continue through the daylight hours before easing off Friday evening. The real story is the strong westerly jet stream over the eastern Pacific driving another atmospheric river into our region over the weekend.
Snow levels will start out low as precipitation begins Saturday morning, but expect warm air to flood into the region during the day. Cool easterly flow should keep the precipitation as snow through mid-day or the afternoon for the Cascade Passes. The northeast Cascades (Washington Pass to Mazama) should stay relatively cool through Sunday morning... however the strong westerly flow will drive warm air into all areas over the weekend.
Snow and rain will quickly become heavy on Saturday with increasingly stormy conditions by the afternoon and continuing Saturday night.
The precipitation looks exceptionally heavy for the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Saturday and Saturday night.
Weather Forecast
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. |
| Friday Night |
Light rain and snow developing overnight. |
| Saturday Morning - Saturday Mid-day |
Light to moderate rain and snow becoming moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Becoming warmer except for cool easterly flow in the Cascade Passes. Becoming windy. |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow. Mild. |
Olympics
| Friday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. |
| Friday Night |
Light rain and snow developing overnight. |
| Saturday Morning - Saturday Mid-day |
Light to moderate rain and snow becoming moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Becoming warmer and windy. |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Mild. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening |
Partly cloudy with isolated showers. |
| Friday Night |
Light rain and snow developing late overnight near the crest. |
| Saturday Morning - Saturday Mid-day |
Light rain and snow becoming moderate, except occasionally heavy rain and snow near the Cascade crest. |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow. Warming trend. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. |
| Friday Night |
Light rain and snow developing overnight. |
| Saturday Morning - Saturday Mid-day |
Moderate rain and snow becoming heavy rain and snow. Becoming windy. Strong warming trend. |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Stormy with heavy rain and snow. Mild. |
Issued: 1:18 PM PST Friday, December 19, 2014
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Evening | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | Snow Level * | 4000' | 3000' | 2500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 4500' |
| Saturday Mid-day | Snow Level * | 6500' | 3500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 6500' |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | Snow Level | 6500' | 6000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 8000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 6000' | 5500' | 5500' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 7500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 7500' |
* 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
| Monday | Monday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 - 1.00 | 2.00 - 3.00 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 2.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 3.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.50 - 2.50 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | 4.00 - 5.00 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 3.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 4.50 - 5.50 |
| Timberline | 0 - 0.75 | 5.00 - 6.00 |
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: 1:18 PM PST Friday, December 19, 2014
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | S 30 - 40 | SE 10 - 20 | SSE 15 - 25 | --- - | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Mid-day | SW 25 - 35 | S 15 - 25 | S 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | W 25 - 35 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 35 - 45 | --- - | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Mid-day | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Mid-day | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Mid-day | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Mid-day | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Mid-day | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Mid-day | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Mid-day | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Mid-day | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Mid-day | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Mid-day | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 40 - 50 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 | SW 45 - 55 | SW 35 - 45 | --- - | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 50 - 60 | W 50 - 65 | WSW 50 - 60 | --- - | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | W 40 - 50 | W 55 - 75 | W 50 - 70 | --- - | W 45 - 55 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 45 - 55 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 50 - 65 |
| Saturday Night | W 55 - 75 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | W 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | W 45 - 55 |
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: 1:18 PM PST Friday, December 19, 2014
Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday
The latest forecast models suggest the plume of moisture will reorient itself further south into Oregon on Sunday. This should continue exceptionally heavy precipitation along with very strong winds for Mt. Hood...but lead to generally drier albeit still mild conditions over the Washington Cascades and Olympics. A Puget Sound Convergence Zone may produce locally higher amounts Sunday between Stevens and Snoqualmie passes.
Upper level ridging anchored off the southern CA coast should rebuild Monday. Some forecast models indicate moisture slipping under the upper level ridge... either way freezing/snow levels should remain mild. On Tuesday.. .an incoming frontal system should be deflected into British Colubmia... with warm frontal moisture brushing mainly the Olympics and central/north Cascades.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Periods of light to moderate rain and snow. Slight cooling trend through the day. Continued windy.
Light rain and snow decreasing ovenright.
Partly to mostly cloudy with moderate freezing levels.
Light rain and snow except occasionally moderate for the Olympics and north Cascades.
Mt. Hood Area
Stormy with heavy rain and snow. Continued mild.
Moderate rain and snow easing overnight.
Partly to mostly cloudy with moderate freezing levels.
Periods of light rain and snow.
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
Periods of light rain and snow except occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest. Slight cooling trend through the day. Continued windy.
Light rain and snow decreasing overnight.
Partly cloudy with moderate freezing levels.
Light rain and snow.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 5500' - 6500' | 7000' - 8000' | |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | 6000' - 7000' | |
| Monday | Freezing Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | 5500' - 6500' | |
| Monday Night - Tuesday | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 5500' - 6500' | 6500' - 7500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' (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 Dec 18, 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.