Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Monday & Sunday
Afternoon update: Adjusted Day 2 precipitation forecast and increased Tuesday evening winds
The upper level ridge that was over the area yesterday has shifted over the interior West and a weak front moving inland from the coastal waters will bring increasing clouds and generally light periods of rain and snow to the Olympics and Cascades today. High freezing levels over the west slopes and Olympics this morning will slowly lower today with the front. Colder air and low clouds for the east slopes and Cascade Passes will remain entrenched with little change for today.
After some light showers Monday night, a stronger system extending form the parent upper low in the northeast Pacific will slowly move inland during the day Tuesday. The heaviest precipitation should be confined to the Olympics during the daylight hours with the front passing through Tuesday night. Snow levels west of the crest and away from the Cascade Passes should rise Tuesday afternoon ahead of the front. As has been the case often this winter, a secondary wave developing along the N-S oriented frontal band will direct some of the frontal system energy into northern California Tuesday night. Forecast models have been inconsistent with precipitation amounts with the latest runs leaning toward higher amounts.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Monday |
Light rain and snow. Slight cooling through the day. |
| Monday Night |
Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers. |
| Tuesday |
Light to moderate rain and snow developing in the morning. Slight warming trend during the day. |
| Tuesday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow becoming light showers overnight. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Monday Morning |
Increasing clouds with light rain and snow developing. |
| Monday Afternoon |
Light rain and snow. Slight cooling. |
| Monday Night |
Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers. |
| Tuesday |
Light rain and snow developing by early afternoon. Slight warming away from the Cascade Passes. |
| Tuesday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow, heaviest volcanoes and favored southerly flow locations like Crystal Mt. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Monday Morning |
Increasing clouds with periods of light rain and snow late morning. |
| Monday Afternoon |
Occasional light rain and snow. Slight warming trend. |
| Monday Night |
Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers. |
| Tuesday |
Light rain and snow developing by early afternoon. |
| Tuesday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Monday Morning |
Increasing clouds with light rain and snow developing. |
| Monday Afternoon |
Light rain and snow. Slight cooling. |
| Monday Night |
Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers. |
| Tuesday |
Cloudy. Light rain and snow developing in the afternoon. Slight warming trend during the day. |
| Tuesday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Alpine winds becoming strong Tuesday evening. |
Issued: 2:14 PM PST Monday, January 11, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 5000' |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | Snow Level * | 5000' | 4000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 6000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 5500' | 5000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 7000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level * | 5000' | 3500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 6000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
* 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
| Sunday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 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: 2:14 PM PST Monday, January 11, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | --- - | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | SE 15 - 25 | --- - | S 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | S 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SE 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SE 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 40 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 35 - 40 | --- - | SW 40 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | SSW 35 - 45 | SW 45 - 55 | SW 50 - 60 | --- - | SW 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | SSW 35 - 45 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 45 - 55 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 25 - 40 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 35 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 50 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night - Tuesday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 50 - 70 |
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: 2:14 PM PST Monday, January 11, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
An open upper level trough should pass through Wednesday and Wednesday night bringing post-frontal showers and a generally cooler air mass into the region. A weather system on Thursday will slide SE into Oregon mainly affecting Mt. Hood and only delivering light amounts of precipitation to the south and central Washington Cascades.
An upper level ridge will quickly build on Friday with shower activity quickly diminishing...but the ridge will be transitory as the next system should reach the area by Saturday morning.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Light to moderate rain and snow showers, potentially heaviest central Washington Cascades and south to Mt. Hood in the morning. Gradual cooling trend.
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers.
Light rain and snow Mt. Hood and south Washington Cascades. Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain and snow Olympics and north Washington Cascades.
Scattered light rain and snow showers Thursday night diminishing during the day Friday with partial clearing.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Thursday - Friday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Thursday - Friday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Thursday - Friday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Thursday - Friday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
* 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 11, 2016
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