Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Wednesday
A broad area of high pressure over the western US will lead to another mostly sunny and warm day for the most areas except where cool easterly flow causes low clouds and occasional flurries for the lower elevations of the east slopes of the Cascades and near the Cascade Passes on Wednesday.
A weak system offshore near 135 W will split as it fails to push through the upper level ridge later today. A stronger Pacific frontal system extending from a parent low in the Gulf of Alaska will begin to shift the upper level ridge eastward Wednesday night. Light warm frontal precipitation should spread over the area on Thursday. There is still a fair amount of uncertainty around the timing and precipitation amounts with this system, look for updated numbers in the afternoon mtn weather forecast.
The front itself should move through Thursday night, leading to moderate to occasionally heavy precipitation along the west slopes. Snow levels will stay relatively moderate throughout the event. Cool easterly flow should lead to initial snow in the Cascade passes along with a period of mixed precipitation before switching to westerlies and free-air snow levels early Friday morning.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest and Mt. Hood area
| Wednesday |
Mostly sunny and warm. |
| Wednesday Night |
Mostly clear in the evening, increasing clouds overnight. |
| Thursday |
Light rain and snow developing becoming occasionally moderate later Thursday afternoon. |
| Thursday Night |
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. |
Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Pass
| Wednesday |
Breezy with areas of low clouds near the Passes, mostly clear and warmer in the alpine. |
| Wednesday Night |
Partly cloudy with increasing clouds overnight. |
| Thursday |
Light snow developing Thursday morning and possibly becoming light mixed precipitation by mid-day. |
| Thursday Evening |
Moderate wintry mix. |
| Thursday Night |
Moderate rain and snow. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday |
Low clouds and occasional flurries along the lower east slopes, mostly sunny and warm in the alpine. |
| Wednesday Night |
Partly cloudy in the evening, increasing mid and high level clouds overnight. |
| Thursday |
Light rain and snow developing mid-day Thursday. |
| Thursday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow. |
Issued: 8:11 AM PST Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Freezing Level * | 10500' | 10000' | 10000' | ' | ' | 10500' | ' | 11000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | Freezing Level * | 8000' | 7500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 8000' |
| Thursday Mid-day - Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 5500' | 4500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 6000' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 5500' | 4500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 6500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 5500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 10500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Mid-day - Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Mid-day - Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Mid-day - Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Mid-day - Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Mid-day - Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 10500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Mid-day - Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Mid-day - Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 11000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Mid-day - Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
* 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
| Wednesday | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | 0 - 2.00 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 0 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 0 - 1.50 |
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: 8:11 AM PST Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | S 0 - 10 | S 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 | --- - | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | S 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SSW 30 - 40 | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 25 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SSW 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SSW 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 40 |
| Thursday 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | S 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | S 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 45 - 55 | --- - | SW 45 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 | WNW 30 - 40 | --- - | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 45 - 55 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | SW 45 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | W 30 - 40 |
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: 8:11 AM PST Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
A transient upper level ridge will quickly build in Friday afternoon, leading to mainly dry weather Friday afternoon through Friday night. Light showers are possible Friday, especially near an area of weak convergence centered around Stevens Pass.
A wet weekend is in store for the Pacific Northwest. At this point, forecast models indicate an initial wave of warm frontal moisture will mainly affect the Mt. Hood area and the south Washington Cascades Saturday with mild snow levels. Precipitation associated with the cold front should increase for all areas as it approaches the coast Saturday night.
More significant cooling should follow behind the frontal passage Sunday with showers in westerly flow expected.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers, mainly near Snoqualmie and Stevens Passes.
Mostly cloudy.
Light rain and snow developing Saturday, except becoming moderate Mt. Hood area
Moderate rain and snow, occasionally heavy west slopes of the Cascades.
Moderate rain and snow becoming light to moderate showers. Cooling trend.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 5500' - 6500' | 7500' - 8500' | * |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 6000' - 7000' | 7000' - 8000' | * |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 7500' - 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow 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 Jan 9, 2015
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