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 & Thursday
The story hasn't changed much since yesterday; moist and strong southwest aloft flow will deliver another frontal system to the area today at mild snow levels. 24 hour precipitation (mostly rain) amounts were in in the 1-3 inch range near and west of the crest, except for Mt. Baker who saw an amazing 5 inches of water. The snow level has stayed a bit lower than predicted for the NE Washington Cascades.
A frontal boundary should pass through the Cascades in the afternoon. The jet stream will begin to dip south during the day Friday... with most of the energy becoming refocused into Northern California later today and tonight.
This southerly shift in the jet stream will allow a modest drop in snow levels late Friday afternoon to 5000-6000 feet across the area, where the snow level should stay through the short term period. Showers should ease Friday night, except in the Mt. Baker area where moderate showers may continue. An upper level shortwave will lift northeast on Saturday... and this weather system should bring a more modest amount of precipitation to the mountains. Showers will continue Saturday night.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Friday |
Light rain and snow becoming moderate by mid-day. Precipitation locally heavy Mt. Baker area. Mild, then slight cooling in the afternoon. |
| Friday Night |
Light rain and snow showers, except locally moderate to heavy showers Mt. Baker area. Slightly cooler. |
| Saturday |
Light to moderate rain and snow, increasing in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Friday |
Light rain and snow. Mild, then slight cooling in the afternoon. |
| Friday Night |
Light rain and snow showers, except occasionally moderate showers Friday evening. Slightly cooler. |
| Saturday |
Light rain and snow, except moderate late morning through mid-day. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Friday |
Light rain and snow becoming moderate by mid-day near the crest. Mild, then slight cooling in the afternoon. |
| Friday Night |
Light rain and snow showers in the evening, tapering down and becoming mostly cloudy with scattered showers after midnight. Slightly cooler. |
| Saturday |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow near the crest, increasing in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Light rain and snow showers. |
Issued: 7:55 AM PST Friday, February 6, 2015
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 7000' | 7000' | 6000' | ' | ' | 7500' | ' | 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 6500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday | Snow Level | 5500' | 5500' | 5000' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 6000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 5000' | 5000' | 4500' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 5500' |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 5500' | 5000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 6000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 6000' |
* 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
| Thursday | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 3.00 | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Paradise | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 0.75 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Timberline | 0 - 1.00 | 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: 7:55 AM PST Friday, February 6, 2015
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 50 | SW 30 - 40 | S 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 25 - 35 | SSW 25 - 35 | SW 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | SSW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | --- - | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 | SSW 10 - 20 | SSW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 15 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 15 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
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 Morning | SW 50 - 60 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 60 - 80 | --- - | SW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 30 - 40 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 35 - 45 | --- - | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 35 - 50 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 50 - 60 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | SW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
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: 7:55 AM PST Friday, February 6, 2015
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
A short break between systems should be seen Sunday morning. A stacked and weakening low pressure system will lift toward the Washington Coast on Sunday afternoon and night, spreading light to moderate precipitation over Mt. Hood by mid-day Sunday and spreading northward in the afternoon. A modest rise in snow levels is forecast for the Mt. Hood area and south Washington Cascades Sunday afternoon with cooler snow levels further north.
The low will pass into western Washington Monday... keeping showers throughout the day. The weakening low should traverse the Cascades Monday night with diminishing showers and leftover clouds expected Tuesday. The drying trend that begins Tuesday looks likely to hold well into next week.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers.
Light to moderate rain and snow developing Mt. Hood to central Washington Cascades and spreading north late Sunday afternoon.
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers.
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers.
Mostly cloudy.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 5000' - 6500' | 7000' - 8000' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 6000' - 7000' | 6500' - 7500' | |
| Monday - Tuesday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 5500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Monday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Monday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Monday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Feb 5, 2015
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