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
The first half of the weekend will be dry with upper level ridging offshore and freezing levels again quite mild. An approaching frontal system stretching from the parent low outside of 150 W will begin to spread high clouds over the area this afternoon.
Clouds should increase and lower overnight with light rain and snow developing for the north Cascades and Olympics in the late evening. Light rain and snow will spread over the area on early Sunday. The front should pass through Sunday afternoon, producing a modest bump in snow levels for the Cascade passes with a switch to west winds.
A Puget Sound convergence zone may develop near Stevens Pass Sunday evening, otherwise light rain and snow showers are expected to taper down Sunday night.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Partly sunny with increasing high clouds mainly central and north Cascades and Olympics in the afternoon. Areas of low clouds Snoqualmie Pass. |
| Saturday Night |
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing Olympics and north Cascades. |
| Sunday Morning - Sunday Mid-day |
Light rain and snow. Precipitation may initially start as a light wintry mix for Snoqualmie Pass Sunday morning. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow becoming light rain and snow showers in the late afternoon. Potential Puget Sound convergence zone near Stevens Pass Sunday evening. |
| Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Partly sunny with increasing high clouds mainly centraleast and northeast Cascades in the afternoon. Areas of low clouds and vallyey fog along the east slopes. |
| Saturday Night |
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing northeast Cascades. |
| Sunday Morning - Sunday Mid-day |
Light rain and snow. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow near the Cascade crest becoming showers in the late afternoon. |
| Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with very light rain and snow showers. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday |
Mostly sunny with increasing high clouds in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Becoming mostly cloudy overnight, clouds lowering. |
| Sunday Morning - Sunday Mid-day |
Light rain and snow. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Light rain and snow becoming light rain and snow showers in the late afternoon and tapering down overnight. |
Issued: 8:08 AM PST Saturday, January 31, 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 Evening | Freezing Level * | 8000' | 6500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 7500' | ' | 9500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day | Snow Level * | 5000' | 4000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 5000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5000' | 4500' | 4000' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 5500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Freezing Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Freezing Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Evening |
Freezing Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Sunday 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
| Friday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
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: 8:08 AM PST Saturday, January 31, 2015
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 0 - 10 | NE 0 - 10 | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | NW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | S 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 | E 5 - 15 | --- - | SE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | SE 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | S 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | E 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | E 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | SE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | S 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | E 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | E 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | SE 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
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 Morning | NW 15 - 25 | NW 15 - 25 | NW 20 - 30 | --- - | NW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | WNW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | NW 10 - 20 | --- - | NW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | W 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Mid-day - Sunday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | W 35 - 45 | --- - | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | W 35 - 45 | WSW 30 - 40 | --- - | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Mid-day - Sunday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Mid-day - Sunday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | NW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Mid-day - Sunday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Mid-day - Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | NW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Mid-day - Sunday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Night | W 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: 8:08 AM PST Saturday, January 31, 2015
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
Westerly flow will deliver another and potentially stronger system on Monday. Precipitation should become moderate Monday with westerly winds increasing as well. After the the surface low lifts into British Columbia Monday afternoon or evening, orographic showers should continue along the west slopes Monday night and Tuesday. Snow levels will fluctuate but look to be moderately cool throughout the short and long term periods.
There is forecast model disagreement whether the upper level ridge will re-establish itself offshore on Wednesday leading to a dry day with a gradual warming trend (GFS solution) or if another weather disturbance this time approaching from the SW will keep precipitation in the forecast (European model).
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes and Mt. Hood area
Moderate rain and snow increasing throughout the day. Winds increasing.
Light to moderate rain and snow showers decreasing after midnight.
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers decreasing Tuesday night.
Partly sunny and warmer.
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
Light to moderate rain and snow increasing throughout the day. Winds increasing.
Light rain and snow showers decreasing after midnight and becoming mostly cloudy.
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers decreasing Tuesday night.
Mostly sunny and slightly warmer.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' | 5500' - 6500' | * |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Wednesday | Freezing Level | 4000' - 5000' | 5500' - 6500' | 7500' - 8500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 7500' - 8500' |
* 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 25, 2015
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.