Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday & Monday
A weak and splitting frontal system should dive into northern California today while the PNW remains in NW flow aloft. The air mass over us will be weakly unstable and should allow for some isolated shower activity. The least amount of cloud cover should be down near Mt. Hood.
A frontal system well offshore should reach the area on Wednesday, with light rain and snow developing over the Olympics in the morning and spreading inland during the afternoon. The heaviest precipitation looks to be in the late afternoon and evening and associated with frontal passage. A trailing shortwave trough will pass through the Cascades late Wednesday night to prolong the shower activity. Precipitation amounts look modest with this system. Snow levels should not dramatically change over the short term.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Tuesday |
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated and light rain and snow showers. |
| Tuesday Night |
Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. |
| Wednesday |
Light rain and snow in the morning, becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night |
Moderate rain and snow showers, becoming light to moderate snow showers late Wednesday night. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Tuesday |
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated and light rain and snow showers near the Cascade crest. |
| Tuesday Night |
Partly cloudy. |
| Wednesday |
Light rain and snow developing late morning. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Tuesday |
Partly cloudy with isolated and light rain and snow showers. |
| Tuesday Night |
Becoming mostly cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. |
| Wednesday |
Light rain and snow in the morning, becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night |
Windy. Moderate rain and snow showers. |
Issued: 7:33 AM PST Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level * | 2000' | 2000' | 0' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 2000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 3000' | 3000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3000' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | Snow Level * | 2500' | 2500' | 0' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 3500' | 3500' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Monday | Monday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | 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: 7:33 AM PST Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | --- - | S 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | S 0 - 10 | S 0 - 10 | SSE 0 - 10 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 10 - 20 | SE 5 - 15 | SSE 5 - 15 | --- - | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SE 10 - 20 | SSE 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 30 | --- - | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | SSE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | SSE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | NW 5 - 15 | NW 5 - 15 | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | SW 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 40 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 35 - 45 | --- - | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | --- - |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night | WSW 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: 7:33 AM PST Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday
Leftover showers should diminish on Thursday, but skies should remain mostly cloudy as incoming high clouds from a warm front lifting well north brushes the area. Periods of light rain and snow are possible Thursday afternoon through Thursday night as the main moisture associated with the warm front lifts into B.C. Snow levels should gradually rise during this period.
Forecast models have been inconsistent with the timing of a stronger frontal system currently forecast to impact the area Friday afternoon and evening and then quickly turn to showers Friday night. Saturday looks to be a breezy day, but one with post-frontal showers quickly decreasing and a partial clearing trend possible.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers.
Mostly cloudy with periods of very light rain and snow. Slight warming trend.
Becoming stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Warming trend.
Breezy. Light to moderate rain and snow showers decreasing Saturday afternoon with a partial clearing trend. Cooler.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | * |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 6000' | 6000' - 7000' | * |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 4500' - 5500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
* 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 21, 2016
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.