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 & Thursday
Warm frontal moisture draped over the area this morning will slowly lift north later this afternoon and overnight as the upper level ridge axis, currently near 130 W, shifts along the coast later this afternoon and amplifies shunting precipitation into British Columbia. Rising snow levels will be the theme of the day, but a period of easterly flow in the Cascade Passes will allow for locally cooler snow levels through early afternoon. Notable blocking on the NE of Mt. Rainier, the Olympics and along the east slopes of the Cascades will limit 24 hr precipitation totals.
As skies become mostly sunny on Thursday afternoon, a warm air mass should be in place with freezing levels settling between 10000-11000 feet.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Moderate warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light rain and snow ending south Cascades in the evening and becoming partly cloudy. Light rain and snow tapering down north Cascades and Olympics overnight. Warming trend. |
| Thursday |
Partly cloudy north part, mostly sunny south part. Warm. |
| Thursday Night |
Mostly clear. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday |
Periods of light rain and snow. Moderate warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night |
Periods of light rain and snow ending south Cascades in the evening and becoming partly cloudy. Light rain and snow tapering down north Cascades overnight. Warming trend. |
| Thursday |
Partly cloudy north part, mostly sunny south part. Warm. |
| Thursday Night |
Mostly clear. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday Morning - Wednesday Mid-day |
Light rain and snow. Moderate warming trend. |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow tapering off in the afternoon and clearing Wednesday night. Warming trend. |
| Thursday |
Mostly sunny and warm. |
| Thursday Night |
Mostly clear. |
Issued: 1:37 PM PDT Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 8000' | 6500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 7500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 8000' | 7500' | 7000' | ' | ' | 7500' | ' | 7500' |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | Freezing Level | 10500' | 10000' | 10000' | ' | ' | 10500' | ' | 11000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 10500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 10000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 10000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 10500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 11000' |
* 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 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 - 1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.10 |
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: 1:37 PM PDT Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
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 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | WNW 20 - 30 | --- - | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 | WNW 20 - 30 | WNW 15 - 25 | --- - | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday - Thursday 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.
Issued: 1:37 PM PDT Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
Another frontal system will approach from the west Friday resulting in an increase clouds during the day on Friday... with light rain and snow perhaps developing in the late afternoon for the Olympics. The front looks likely to come through Friday night, with snow levels lowering to moderate levels. Post frontal shower activity should linger through Saturday morning before weak ridging in westerly flow develops later in the day with some lifting and clearing likely.
Forecast models differ, but the general theme for the remainder of the weekend will be a frontal boundary hanging up around the Canadian border causing periods of light rain and snow for the Olympics and north Cascades with decreasing clouds and chances for precipitation further south. A slow warming trend should be seen through the weekend as well.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Partly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy late afternoon with increasing high and mid clouds. Chance of light rain and snow developing Olympics in the afternoon.
Cloudy with light rain and snow, occasionally moderate west slopes of the Cascades. Cooling trend.
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers.
Mostly cloudy Olympics and north Cascades with periods of light rain and snow. Partly cloudy central and south Cascades. Mostly clear Mt. Hood.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning - Friday Mid-day | Freezing Level | 8500' - 9500' | 10000' - 11000' | 10500' - 11500' | |
| Friday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 7000' - 8000' | 8000' - 9000' | 9000' - 10000' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 5500' - 6500' | 5500' - 6500' | |
| Saturday - Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 6000' - 7000' | 7000' - 8000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning - Friday Mid-day |
Freezing Level 8500' - 9500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Saturday - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning - Friday Mid-day |
Freezing Level 10000' - 11000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 8000' - 9000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Saturday - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning - Friday Mid-day |
Freezing Level 10500' - 11500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 9000' - 10000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Saturday - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday |
Snow Level 7000' - 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.
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 25, 2015
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