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 & Tuesday
A strong frontal system blew through the area Friday evening with 3-9 inches of snow by late Saturday morning along the west slopes and Mt. Hood along with a cooling trend overnight. Winds were quite strong with this system; many upper elevation NWAC sites gusted into the 80 mph range, with Camp Muir peaking at 118 mph Friday evening.
Strong westerly flow this morning behind the system should quickly die down by mid-day Saturday along with the post-frontal shower activity. A partial clearing trend may occur by Saturday afternoon along with moderating temperatures.
A strong upper level ridge will begin to build along the coast Saturday night and Sunday. However warm frontal moisture will glance the North Cascades and Olympics with light rain before the upper ridge lifts warm frontal moisture well north Sunday night.
It is unclear about much light precipitation and cloud cover will affect the southern and central Washington Cascades...but drier and sunnier conditions seem like a good bet further south, especially over Mt. Hood on Sunday afternoon. Freezing/snow levels will climb on Sunday as the upper level ridge builds along the coast.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain and snow showers central and north Cascades tapering off. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Cloudy north Cascades and Olympics with periods of light rain. Party to mostly cloudy central Cascades with a chance of very light rain. Partly cloudy south Washington Cascades. Warming trend Sunday. |
| Sunday Night |
Partly cloudy north part. Mostly clear south part. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Evening |
Mostly cloudy. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Cloudy northeast Cascades with periods of light rain. Party to mostly cloudy centraleast Cascades with a chance of very light rain. Partly cloudy southeast Washington Cascades. Warming trend Sunday. |
| Sunday Night |
Partly cloudy north part. Mostly clear south part. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday Afternoon - Sunday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with mid and high clouds. |
| Sunday - Sunday Night |
Mostly clear. Warming trend. |
Issued: 2:11 PM PST Saturday, February 6, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | Freezing Level * | 6000' | 3500' | 2000' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 9000' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | Freezing Level * | 9000' | 8000' | 6500' | ' | ' | 9500' | ' | 11000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Freezing Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 11000' (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 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
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: 2:11 PM PST Saturday, February 6, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | W 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | S 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | --- - | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | SSE 5 - 15 |
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 | W 20 - 30 | NW 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | --- - | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | NW 25 - 35 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 40 - 50 | --- - | NW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | NW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | NW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | NW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | NW 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | NW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | W 5 - 15 |
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: 2:11 PM PST Saturday, February 6, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday
The strong upper level ridge over the area will slowly slide eastward early next week, with the ridge axis passing east of the Cascades Monday night. The 4500-5000 ft temperatures (850 mb pressure level) should peak early Tuesday morning, with temperatures around 15 C (59 F)! Easterly flow through the Cascade Passes should lead to temperature inversions. Mostly clear skies should accompany the warmth on Monday.
As the ridge axis shifts east and begins to flatten, freezing levels should begin to lower Tuesday afternoon and night. A very weak front may reach the coast on Wednesday and spread clouds and light precipitation inland Wednesday afternoon. A stronger front should reach the area Wednesday night or Thursday morning as we return to a more active weather pattern.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
Warm and mostly clear. Multiple freezing levels near the Passes and lower east slopes.
Partly cloudy. Slow cooling trend.
Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow. Cooler.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday | Freezing Level | 11000' - 13000' | 11000' - 13000' | 11000' - 13000' | * |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 6000' - 7000' | 6000' - 7000' | 6000' - 7000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday |
Freezing Level 11000' - 13000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday |
Freezing Level 11000' - 13000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Tuesday |
Freezing Level 11000' - 13000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (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 Feb 6, 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.