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 & Tuesday
Afternoon update: Water amounts have been adjusted for Day 2 and snow levels should lower to near Pass levels on Sunday during a period of easterly flow.
The persistent upper level ridge offshore has flattened and tilted east over the intermountain west... opening the door for frontal systems with a subtropical tap of moisture to pass over the PNW. Moderate to heavy rain and snow has transitioned to light to moderate showers as weak frontal boundary passed through mid-day. A gradual cooling trend should begin later this afternoon and continue overnight.
As the first frontal system passes well to our east tonight.. a brief drying trend should take place for the north Cascades and Olympics, while the Mt. Hood area should not see a substantial break between systems.
The next low pressure system will begin to develop Saturday night along the baroclinic zone oriented SW-NE offshore. A low pressure system will spin up along the Washington Coast Sunday... bringing another round of steady rain and snow to the mountains. Snow levels look a bit lower with this system. A period of easterly flow may mix rain and snow even down to Snoqualmie Pass for a portion of the day on Sunday... but snow levels should rise everywhere in the afternoon and Sunday as the low lifts northward advecting warmer air into the region. Steady precipitation should turn to showers Sunday night.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Moderate rain and snow showers easing overnight and becoming light showers. Partial clearing possible north Cascades and Olympics. Slight cooling trend. |
| Sunday - Sunday Evening |
Light to moderate rain and snow developing south Washington Cascades and spreading north during the day. |
| Sunday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow becoming light showers from south to north overnight. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday Afternoon |
Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Moderate rain and snow. Slight cooling trend. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Becoming mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Windy. |
Issued: 1:31 PM PDT Saturday, March 14, 2015
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 7500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | Snow Level * | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 7500' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 7000' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 5500' |
| Saturday Mid-day | Snow Level | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' | ' | ' | 7000' | ' | 8500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Tuesday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.50 - 2.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 2.00 | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.75 - 1.00 | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Paradise | 2.00 - 3.00 | 2.00 - 3.00 |
| White Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 2.00 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 2.00 - 3.00 | 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: 1:31 PM PDT Saturday, March 14, 2015
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | S 0 - 10 | SW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | SE 5 - 15 | E 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 15 - 25 | SE 10 - 20 | SE 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SE 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 | WSW 40 - 50 | WSW 40 - 50 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 40 - 50 | --- - | W 45 - 55 |
| Sunday Night | SW 30 - 40 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 40 - 50 | --- - | W 45 - 55 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 45 - 55 |
| Sunday 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: 1:31 PM PDT Saturday, March 14, 2015
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
Depending on how long the low hangs around offshore Monday... steady rain and snow may continue for the Olympics and north Cascades Monday morning while a drying trend begins for areas further south. Timing details are up in the air, but a weak front passing through into central British Columbia on Tuesday may bring a bit of light precipitation at moderate snow levels.
Weak upper level ridging should build over the area Wednesday along with a slight warming trend.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers, mainly north and central Cascades. Partial clearing Mt. Hood Monday afternoon. Showers tapering off Monday afternoon and night.
Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain and snow, drying trend overnight.
Partly to mostly sunny. Warmer.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 5500' - 6500' | 6000' - 7000' | |
| Wednesday | Freezing Level | 5500' - 6500' | 6500' - 7500' | 7500' - 8500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Wednesday |
Freezing Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| 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 Mar 14, 2015
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