Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Saturday & Friday
An upper level ridge offshore should allow for a mostly dry day. The big story will be the incoming weather system for Sunday through Monday. A subtropical stream of moisture over the eastern Pacific will merge with an upper level low in the Gulf of Alaska. The upper level ridge will flatten as this system develops over the weekend... but the jet stream will stay well to our north allowing warm air to be pumped into the region.
Snow levels will start low on Sunday morning as warm frontal moisture spreads over the area. Warm air will push in during the daylight hours... but initial cool easterly flow should maintain a gradual rise in snow levels for the Cascades. As the upper trough pushes through Sunday night... winds will become westerly in the passes and precipitation rates will increase. A sharp rise in snow levels should occur Sunday evening and continue overnight with snow generally changing to rain in the mountains.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Saturday |
Partly to mostly cloudy. Increasing mid and high clouds in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Cloudy. Light snow developing Olympics and north Cascades. |
| Sunday Morning |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Gradual warming trend. Upper mountain winds increasing. |
| Sunday Night |
Stormy. Heavy rain and snow. Strong warming trend. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday |
Partly cloudy. Increasing mid and high clouds in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Cloudy. Light snow developing northeast Cascades late Saturday night. |
| Sunday Morning |
Light rain and snow. |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Upper mountain winds increasing. |
| Sunday Night |
Stormy. Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Strong warming trend. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday |
Partly cloudy. Increasing mid and high clouds in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Cloudy. Light snow developing late Saturday night. |
| Sunday Morning |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Warming trend. Upper mountain winds increasing. |
| Sunday Night |
Stormy. Heavy rain and snow. Strong warming trend. |
Issued: 8:25 AM PST Saturday, January 3, 2015
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 1500' | 1500' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 3500' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level * | 3000' | 1500' | 1500' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 7000' | 3000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 6500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 9000' | 6000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 8000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 9000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 8000' |
* 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
| Friday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | 2.00 - 3.00 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 1.00 - 2.00 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 3.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | 3.00 - 4.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0 - 2.00 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 0 - 4.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | 2.00 - 3.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0 - 3.00 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 3.00 - 4.00 |
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: 8:25 AM PST Saturday, January 3, 2015
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | S 0 - 10 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | S 15 - 25 | SSW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | W 25 - 35 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | SW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | WNW 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | NW 25 - 35 | --- - | NW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | --- - | W 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 30 - 40 | --- - | W 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | W 40 - 60 | WNW 40 - 50 | W 50 - 70 | --- - | WNW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 40 - 50 | --- - | W 45 - 55 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | NW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday | NW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | WNW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Afternoon | 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: 8:25 AM PST Saturday, January 3, 2015
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
Good orographic westerly flow will continue the moderate to heavy precipitation along the west slopes of the Cascades Monday with mild snow levels. The upper level ridge will rebuild offshore Monday... lifting the heavier precipitation north and away from Mt. Hood. Warmer air should even mix into the northeast Cascades by Monday morning.
A drying trend should begin Monday night and continue on Tuesday. Freezing levels will be high Tuesday and Wednesday with the upper level ridge shifting inland as a weak system approaches from the west.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Heavy rain and snow becoming light to moderate Monday afternoon. Mild.
Light rain and snow. Mild.
Partly cloudy south, mostly cloudy north. Mild.
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
Light rain and snow except moderate near the Cascade crest becoming light Monday afternoon. Mild.
Light rain and snow. Mild.
Partly cloudy south, mostly cloudy north.
Mt. Hood Area
Periods of light rain and snow. Mild.
Cloudy. Mild.
Partly cloudy. Mild.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night | Snow Level | 5000' - 6000' | 6000' - 7000' | 7000' - 8000' | |
| Tuesday - Wednesday | Freezing Level | 9000' - 11000' | 10000' - 11000' | 11000' - 12000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 9000' - 11000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 10000' - 11000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 11000' - 12000' |
* 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 29, 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.