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 & Tuesday
Afternoon update: Minor changes mainly for Day 2 precipitation forecast and snow levels. Introduced a period of potential freezing rain for the Passes late tonight through Thursday morning and for the lower slopes of the east Cascades Thursday morning through mid-day.
A low pressure system passing through Oregon brought up to 2 feet of snow through early this morning at Mt. Hood with about a foot at Paradise and a few inches further north. NW flow in the wake of the low pressure system should deliver some light to moderate showers through mid-day for the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood.
A transient upper level ridge will pass over the area this afternoon and shift east toward Idaho overnight. A Pacific frontal system currently offshore should spread precipitation into the area overnight.
The frontal boundary will slow offshore on Thursday and become north-south oriented, with the axis of the heaviest precipitation focusing into southern British Columbia, the Olympics and the Washington north Cascades. Much lighter amounts of precipitation are expected further south and along the east slopes. This system will also feature strong southerly winds that should ramp up late Wednesday night and continue through Thursday evening. Warm air should be pumped into the region due to the extended period of southerly flow, with even the Cascade Passes becoming subject to free-air snow levels by Thursday afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Olympics and northwest Cascades (Mt. Baker area)
| Wednesday |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light rain and snow developing and becoming moderate overnight. Winds increasing with a slow warming trend. |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow. Warming trend through the afternoon. |
| Thursday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
Central and south Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday |
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight. Freezing rain possible Cascade Passes late tonight. Winds increasing overnight. |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Light rain and snow. Freezing rain possible Cascade Passes Thursday morning. Windy. Warming trend including Cascades Passes. |
| Thursday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday |
Partly to mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers near the crest. Increasing high clouds late in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light rain and snow developing overnight. Winds increasing overnight. |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Light rain and snow. Freezing rain possible Thursday morning through mid-day lower slopes and valleys. Windy. Warming trend in the afternoon. |
| Thursday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday |
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Increasing high clouds in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light rain and snow developing overnight. Winds increasing overnight. Slow warming trend. |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Light rain and snow. Windy. Mild. |
| Thursday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
Issued: 2:39 PM PST Wednesday, January 20, 2016
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 * | 4500' | 3500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 6000' | 3500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 6000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 7000' | 4500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 7500' | 6500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 7000' | ' | 7500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level * | 6500' | 6000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 5500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (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
| Tuesday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 0.50 | 1.50 - 2.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 1.00 | 3.00 - 5.00 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Paradise | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0 - 0.75 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
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: 2:39 PM PST Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 | S 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | --- - | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | S 35 - 45 | SE 15 - 25 | SSE 15 - 30 | --- - | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | S 45 - 60 | SW 35 - 45 | SSE 20 - 35 | --- - | S 15 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | S 35 - 45 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | S 45 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 15 - 30 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SSE 20 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | S 15 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | S 35 - 45 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | S 45 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 15 - 30 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SSE 20 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | S 15 - 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 | S 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 40 - 50 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 55 - 70 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 45 - 60 | --- - | SW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 55 - 70 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 45 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
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: 2:39 PM PST Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
The trailing upper trough should kick the frontal boundary east and through the area Friday morning. Cooler air aloft will bring snow levels down during the day with light to moderate showers through Friday afternoon.
A low pressure system rotating up from off the California coast should reach Mt. Hood late Friday night into Saturday morning and spread light precipitation northward into Washington State during the day. Orographic showers favoring the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood should follow Saturday afternoon through Sunday in NW flow aloft.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest Mt. Baker area. Slow cooling trend. Showers decreasing in the evening.
Light to moderate rain and snow developing Mt. Hood Friday night and spreading light rain and snow northward during the day. Cloudy south part, partly cloudy north part with increasing clouds Saturday afternoon. Cooler.
Light rain and snow showers, except occasionally moderate west slopes and Mt. Hood.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 4500' - 5500' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Saturday Night - Sunday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
* 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 20, 2016
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