Issued: 1:40 PM PST Tuesday, February 2, 2016
by Dennis D'Amico

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 & Friday

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 in the afternoon. The sunniest skies should be seen down over the south Washington Cascades and extend to 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. This system will once again have a N-S orientation and begin to split (weaken) as it passes inland. The heaviest precipitation looks to be in the late afternoon and evening and associated with the frontal passage. A trailing longwave 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 although the Passes may see subtle warming late Wednesday night with a switch to west winds. 

Weather Forecast

Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Tuesday

Mostly sunny south Washington Cascades. Partly cloudy central and north Cascades with a slight chance of light rain and snow showers this afternoon. 

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. 

Wednesday

Light rain and snow developing in the morning, becoming light to moderate by late afternoon. 

East slopes of the Washington Cascades
Tuesday

Mostly sunny southeast Cascades and partly to mostly cloudy central and northeast Cascades. Slight chance of light rain and snow showers near the Cascade crest this afternoon. 

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy.

Wednesday

Light rain and snow developing late morning. 

Mt. Hood Area
Tuesday

Mostly sunny.

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. 

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level * 3500' 3500' 2500' ' ' 3000' ' 4500'
Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning Snow Level * 2500' 2500' 0' ' ' 1500' ' 2500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning Snow Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
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 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 Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(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 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 Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(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

Friday Friday
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
LT 0.25 0 - 1.50

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
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
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
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 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 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 Afternoon - Tuesday Night --- -
Wednesday Morning --- -
Wednesday Afternoon --- -
Wednesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Elevation
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 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 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 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 Afternoon - Tuesday Night --- -
Wednesday Morning --- -
Wednesday Afternoon --- -
Wednesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
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 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
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night SW 0 - 10
Wednesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night SW 30 - 40
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
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 Afternoon - Tuesday Night WSW 10 - 20
Wednesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night SW 35 - 45
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night --- -
Wednesday Morning --- -
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Wednesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night WSW 40 - 50

Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday

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 with light rain and snow. Periods of light rain and snow will continue Thursday night as the main moisture associated with the warm front lifts into British Columbia.  There should be a gradual warming trend Thursday night and Friday. 

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 by Saturday afternoon.  

Extended Weather

Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Thursday

Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. 

Thursday Night - Friday Morning

Mostly cloudy with periods of very light rain and snow. Slight warming trend. 

Friday Afternoon - Friday Evening

Becoming stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Warming trend. 

Friday Night - Saturday

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'
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 Feb 2, 2016

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