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 & Thursday
Afternoon updates: Adjustments to Day 1 and Day 2 precipitation forecasts and other minor adjustments to Saturday forecast.
330 PM update: Corrected Northwest Cascades snow level this evening through Sunday morning.
An upper level low parked in the NE Pacific will help direct a series of frontal systems through the PNW every 24-48 hours through the middle of next week.
While the occluded front has passed through, snow levels remain cool with easterly flow through the Passes until a switch to westerly winds in the late afternoon/early evening for Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass allow a bump up to free-air snow levels of 4500 and 4000 feet respectively. Conversely, areas west of the crest that have seen snow levels rise today should begin to slowly lower later this afternoon or early evening. An upper level trough rotating up from the SW will bring a round of more moderate showers this afternoon.
Showers should taper down Saturday night leading to a brief lull in the action through early Sunday morning. The next frontal system should deliver similar amounts of moderate precipitation for the mountains, with the precipitation increasing mid-late morning over the Cascades. Another switch to westerly flow through the Passes late afternoon/early evening should lead to a slight rise in snow levels once again. Snow levels further west of the crest, affecting areas like Crystal and Paradise, should see a bump to 4000-4500 feet Sunday afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Saturday Night |
Light rain and snow showers. |
| Sunday |
Light rain and snow developing and becoming light to moderate by mid-morning. |
| Sunday Night |
Light rain and snow showers tapering down Sunday night. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight warming trend Cascade Passes late afternoon, slight cooling trend west of the crest. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Sunday |
Light rain and snow developing by mid-morning and becoming light to moderate by late morning. Gradual warming trend away from the Cascade Passes. |
| Sunday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers tapering down Sunday night. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight Warming trend late Saturday afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Light rain and snow showers. |
| Sunday |
Light rain and snow developing by mid-morning and becoming light to moderate by late morning. |
| Sunday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers tapering down Sunday night. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slight cooling trend. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Sunday |
Light rain and snow developing by mid-morning and becoming moderate by late-morning. Warming trend. |
| Sunday Night |
Light rain and snow showers tapering down Sunday night. |
Issued: 3:34 PM PST Saturday, January 16, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Mid-day | Snow Level * | 6000' | 4000' | 1500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 6000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 4500' |
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | Snow Level * | 5500' | 4000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 4500' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 5500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
* 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 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.50 - 2.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Paradise | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.00 - 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Timberline | 1.00 - 1.50 | 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: 3:34 PM PST Saturday, January 16, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 30 | S 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 25 - 40 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 20 - 30 | SSE 10 - 25 | SE 10 - 20 | --- - | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 | S 15 - 25 | SE 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | SW 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SSE 10 - 25 |
| Sunday Mid-day | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | S 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Mid-day | SE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Mid-day | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | SW 25 - 40 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | SW 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SSE 10 - 25 |
| Sunday Mid-day | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | S 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Mid-day | SE 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Mid-day | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening | SW 25 - 40 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night | SW 35 - 45 | W 25 - 40 | W 25 - 40 | --- - | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Morning | SSW 35 - 45 | S 35 - 45 | SW 45 - 55 | --- - | SW 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Morning | SSW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night | W 25 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | S 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night | W 25 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 45 - 55 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
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: 3:34 PM PST Saturday, January 16, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
Monday should be a break in-between systems with some left over showers in the morning. Light rain and snow should begin in the Olympics by late Monday afternoon and spread inland Monday night. This system looks weaker compared to the weekend weather systems.
A stronger low pressure system will impact the area on Tuesday as a deepening low pressure center tracks toward the Washington/Oregon border Tuesday afternoon. Post frontal showers will keep the weather wet on Wednesday.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers.
Light rain and snow turning to showers late Monday night.
Moderate rain and snow, occasionally heavy west slopes and Mt. Hood developing Tuesday.
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 2500' - 3500' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Tuesday - Wednesday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (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 16, 2016
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