Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Saturday
Afternoon Update: Minor changes to Day 1 and Day 2.
A warm front moved through Thursday bringing rain to the west slopes and Olympics and light rain and snow to the east slopes of the Cascades. The associated cold front is along the Washington coast this morning, and while not all that impressive on satellite and radar imagery, should once again bring steadier precipitation to the mountains later this morning and early afternoon. Snow levels should slowly lower behind the front later Friday afternoon into the 5000-5000 range. The highest precipitation amounts are likely for the volcanoes, especially Mt. Baker through early Saturday morning.
Snow levels will drop further tonight, and the trailing longwave trough will pass through the Cascades early Saturday morning to briefly invigorate shower activity. An occluded front will quickly approach from the west on Saturday, renewing light rain and snow over the Olympics by mid-day and spreading east to the Cascades by mid-afternoon.
Heavy precipitation should hold off until Saturday night with snow levels slowly rising.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Friday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers, becoming light to moderate after midnight. Cooling trend. |
| Saturday |
Light and scattered rain and snow showers in the morning becoming steady light rain and snow by mid-day. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Slow warming trend. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Friday Afternoon |
Light to moderate rain and snow, heaviest north Cascades. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers, becoming light to moderate after midnight. Cooling trend. |
| Saturday |
Light and scattered rain and snow showers in the morning becoming steady light rain and snow in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Moderate rain and snow. Slow warming trend overnight. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Friday Afternoon |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers, becoming light to occasionally moderate after midnight. Cooling trend. |
| Saturday |
Isolated light rain and snow showers in the morning becoming steady light rain and snow late in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Slow warming trend. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Friday Afternoon |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Slow cooling trend. |
| Friday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers, becoming light to moderate after midnight. Cooling trend. |
| Saturday |
Light and scattered rain and snow showers in the morning becoming steady light rain and snow in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Night |
Stormy with moderate to heavy rain and snow. Slow warming trend. |
Issued: 2:25 PM PST Friday, February 12, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day | Snow Level * | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 6500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 5500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level * | 6000' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 6500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (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
| Saturday | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.50 - 2.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 0.75 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 2.00 |
| Timberline | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 2.00 |
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: 2:25 PM PST Friday, February 12, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 20 - 35 | --- - | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 40 | WSW 30 - 45 | --- - | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 35 - 45 | --- - | W 45 - 55 |
| Saturday Night | W 30 - 40 | WNW 40 - 50 | WNW 40 - 50 | --- - | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 45 - 55 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 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: 2:25 PM PST Friday, February 12, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
On Sunday the moisture plume will continue to ride up and over the broad upper level ridge of high pressure centered offshore around 130W. Exactly how much water is directed into the PNW versus further north on Sunday is still unclear but forecast consensus is building toward a wet day on Sunday.
The current forecast calls for light precipitation in the morning becoming moderate in the afternoon with the heavy precipitation holding off until overnight Sunday, except for the south Washington Cascades and precipitation may stay moderate to heavy all day. Snow levels should continue their slow but steady rise during the day Sunday.
Strong orographic effects with the westerly flow aloft Saturday night through Monday will make the west slopes of the Olympics and Cascades favored for higher precipitation amounts with much lighter precipitation expected along the lee eastern slopes. Alpine winds out the of west will also stay strong through this period.
The upper ridge should shift inland Monday night and Tuesday, potentially shifting the axis of heavier precipitation into southern British Columbia and leading to a drying and clearing trend for the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
Light rain and snow becoming light to moderate in the afternoon Olympics and central and north Cascades. Potentially moderate to heavy rain and snow south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. Slow warming trend.
Moderate rain and snow, occasionally heavy west slopes of the Olympics and Cascades.
Light to moderate rain and snow northwest Cascades and Olympics. Periods of light rain and snow central Cascades and east slopes. Mostly cloudy south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Monday becoming partly cloudy Tuesday. Mild.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 5000' - 6000' | 6500' - 7500' | |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 6500' - 7500' | 7500' - 8500' | |
| Sunday Night - Tuesday | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 6000' - 7000' | 7000' - 8000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Sunday Night - Tuesday |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Sunday Night - Tuesday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' - 8500' |
| Sunday Night - Tuesday |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
* 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 12, 2016
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