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
Saturday should be a mostly quiet and dry day weather wise as a frontal system over Vancouver Island slowly sags southward. Temperatures on the east side of the Cascades are fairly chilly this morning with widespread single digit readings. Increasing high and mid clouds will move over the area by later this morning or early afternoon as frontal moisture spreads over the area.
The jet stream should push the bulk of this system into northern California Sunday, and the front will become more N-S oriented as it slowly pushes inland during the day. Light snow with a few periods of moderate precipitation are likely by Sunday afternoon before turning to light post-frontal showers Sunday night. Snow levels will remain low through the weekend.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes and Mt. Hood
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Partly cloudy Saturday morning becoming mostly cloudy this afternoon with increasing mid and high level clouds. Areas of fog valleys and Cascade Passes. Occasional light snow possible Olympics and north Cascades. |
| Sunday |
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate snow. |
| Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light snow showers. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday |
Mostly clear Saturday morning becoming partly cloudy this afternoon with increasing mid and high level clouds. Areas of fog valleys and near Cascade Passes. |
| Sunday |
Cloudy with light snow. |
| Sunday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light snow showers. |
| Saturday Night |
Becoming mostly cloudy. |
Issued: 7:27 AM PST Saturday, December 26, 2015
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | Freezing Level * | 500' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 0' | ' | 500' |
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning | Snow Level * | 2000' | 1000' | 0' | ' | ' | 1000' | ' | 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | Snow Level | 3000' | 2000' | 1000' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning |
Freezing Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
* 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 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| 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: 7:27 AM PST Saturday, December 26, 2015
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | --- - | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 | S 0 - 10 | SE 5 - 15 | --- - | S 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 10 - 20 | SSE 10 - 20 | SE 5 - 15 | --- - | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | SE 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | --- - | NW 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
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 | WNW 10 - 20 | WNW 5 - 15 | NW 10 - 20 | --- - | NW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 25 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | NW 5 - 15 | NW 10 - 20 | NW 10 - 20 | --- - | NW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | NW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | NW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning | NW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Mid-day | SW 25 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | NW 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: 7:27 AM PST Saturday, December 26, 2015
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
Scattered showers should stick over the area Monday as we remain in NW flow aloft on the backside of the longwave trough digging into Nevada. A poorly defined low pressure system is forecast to approach from the NW on Tuesday, increasing clouds and spreading light precipitation over the area by later in the day. There is decent forecast model agreement that the more moderate shot of precipitation will largely miss the north Cascades and focus on the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. Snow levels should moderate a bit heading into Wednesday. A much drier pattern looks likely to take hold by late next week.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood
Mostly cloudy with light snow showers decreasing overnight with partial clearing.
Increasing clouds with light snow developing Olympics.
Light rain and snow, except periods of moderate rain and snow central and south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. Snow decreasing later Wednesday afternoon. Gradual warming trend Wednesday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 4000' | 2500' - 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 4000' |
* 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 Dec 23, 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.