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 & Friday
Afternoon Update: Day 1 Precipitation generally adjusted upwards with slight adjustments to Day 2. Minor wind speed changes for Thursday afternoon/evening.
A upper level low well offshore has spread areas of light warm frontal precipitation over the area this morning and should continue to do so throughout the day. The PNW will remain in the warm sector with generally mild snow levels.
An occluded front will pass through this evening bringing a brief shot of moderate precipitation for the west slopes of the Cascades. Shower activity should decrease quickly overnight, except near Mt. Baker where moderate showers in post-frontal SW flow will continue through late tonight. Snow levels will lower behind the front to 3500-4000 feet.
After a brief break in the action Thursday morning, the trailing upper trough and a weakening surface low off the Oregon/Washington coast will move inland during the afternoon.
Forecast models suggestion a steep N-S precipitaiton gradient as the weakening low passes east of the Cascades through the late afternoon or early evening, with the potential for locally heavier snow amounts from Snoqualmie Pass south to Mt. Rainier. The passage of the low could also bring a quick increase in W-SW winds. Lesser amounts are expected further north.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday |
Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. Mild. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow becoming showers late tonight. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Light to occasionally moderate showers north Cascades and Olympics. Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow showers central and south Cascades with increasing winds. |
| Thursday Night |
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday |
Cloudy with periods of very light rain and snow. Mild. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light rain and snow, except occasionally moderate northeast Cascades, becoming mostly cloudy with scattered showers late tonight. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light showers northeast Cascades. Light to moderate rain and snow showers central and south Cascades with increasing winds. |
| Thursday Night |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday |
Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. Mild. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow becoming light showers late tonight. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Moderate rain and snow showers with winds becoming strong in the afternoon. |
| Thursday Night |
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
Issued: 2:28 PM PST Wednesday, February 17, 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 * | 6000' | 6000' | 5500' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 6500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 5000' |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
* 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 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 0.75 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 - 0.75 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Paradise | 0.75 - 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | 0 - 0.50 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
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: 2:28 PM PST Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 | SSE 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 | --- - | SE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SE 5 - 15 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 | S 10 - 20 | S 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 40 | --- - | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | S 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 20 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | S 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 20 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | SSW 20 - 35 | --- - | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 10 - 20 | SSE 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 35 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 35 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 15 - 30 | --- - | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 45 - 55 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSW 20 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 45 - 55 |
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: 2:28 PM PST Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
Another front on the heels of the last system should move in Friday afternoon with light rain and snow developing over the area. There should be a subtle warming trend Friday afternoon ahead of the front although snow levels should stay near or below 4000 ft. This system will also not linger very long... with showers rapidly decreasing on Saturday and some partial clearing possible in the afternoon. This frontal system should also usher in a colder air mass.
The respite from the active weather ends on Sunday as the next Pacific frontal system approaches from the west and spreads light rain and snow inland during the day.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Cloudy with increasing light rain and snow in the afternoon.
Light rain and snow showers, occasionally moderate west slopes and Mt. Hood. Showers decreasing late Friday night except maintaining moderate at Mt. Baker. Cooling trend.
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers in the morning becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon.
Partly to mostly clear.
Increasing clouds with light rain and snow developing in the afternoon.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Friday Night - Saturday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
* 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 17, 2016
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