Issued: 1:38 PM PST Monday, February 29, 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 Monday & Tuesday

PM Update: Increased some Day 1 and Day 2 precipitation forecasts as well as other minor changes. 

High clouds are increasing this afternoon as a warm front approaches from the west. Clouds will lower overnight and warm frontal moisture will spread inland from the southeast. A slow warming trend will begin Monday night and continue on Tuesday. Cool easterly flow through the Passes will keep snow levels locally lower during the daylight hours. Freezing rain may mix in locally mainly at Snoqualmie Pass Tuesday afternoon. Precipitation should be ease off for the south and central Cascades mid-day as warm frontal moisture lifts northward, but quickly fill-in again as the cold front approaches Tuesday afternoon. Precipitation rates will locally stay heavy in the Mt. Baker area. The east slopes won't be shadowed until Tuesday night and should also see decent precipitation amounts with slowly rising snow levels. 

The cold front associated with the system will pass through early evening with a switch to westerly winds in the Passes by later Tuesday evening.  A modest warm-up with the switch to westerly may push rain above pass level at Stevens early Wednesday evening.  A slow cooling trend will ensue Tuesday night.  A sharp trough moving through area Tuesday night along with strong surface pressure rises should make for blustery post-frontal showers. 

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening

Cloudy, bases lowering.  

Monday Night - Tuesday

Light to moderate rain and snow. Slow warming trend.  Winds increasing Tuesday morning. 

Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening

Cloudy with a slight chance of afternoon showers.  

Monday Night

Light to moderate rain and snow developing over the southern Cascades and lifting north. 

Tuesday Afternoon

Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow south and central Cascades mid-day increasing to moderate in the afternoon. Possible freezing rain at mainly Snoqualmie Pass Tuesday afternoon. Moderate to heavy rain and snow Mt. Baker area. Warming trend. Strong alpine winds. 

Tuesday Night

Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. Gusty winds. 

East slopes of the Washington Cascades
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening

Increasing high clouds. 

Monday Night - Tuesday Morning

Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight. 

Tuesday Afternoon

Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow southeast and central-east Cascades mid-day, become light to moderate in the afternoon. Briefly mixing with freezing rain possible valleys and near the Passes. Light to moderate snow northeast Cascades. Slow warming trend.  

Mt. Hood Area
Monday

Partly to mostly cloudy with increasing high clouds in the afternoon.  

Monday Night

Moderate rain and snow developing overnight. Warming trend. 

Tuesday

Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow increasing to light to moderate rain and snow in the afternoon. Warmer. Strong alpine winds. 

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Monday Afternoon Snow Level * 4000' 3500' 3500' ' ' 4000' ' 5500'
Monday Night Snow Level * 4500' 3000' 3000' ' ' 3000' ' 6000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level * 6500' 3500' 3000' ' ' 4500' ' 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level * 6500' 5500' 5000' ' ' 6000' ' 6500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3500'
Washington Pass Elevation
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3500'
Leavenworth Elevation
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Night Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night 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

Tuesday Tuesday
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.25 1.00 - 1.50
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 3.00 - 4.00
Washington Pass LT 0.10 1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 0 - 1.00
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 - 0.50 1.50 - 2.00
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 0 - 0.75
Crystal Mt 0 - 0.50 1.50 - 2.00
Paradise 0.75 - 1.00 2.00 - 3.00
White Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 - 1.00
Mt Hood Meadows 0.75 - 1.00 0 - 1.00
0 - 1.00 0 - 1.00

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening SE 5 - 15 S 5 - 15 SE 5 - 15 --- - S 5 - 15
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning S 20 - 30 SE 10 - 20 SE 15 - 25 --- - SW 15 - 25
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon SW 25 - 40 SSE 25 - 40 SSE 20 - 35 --- - SSW 20 - 35
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening SE 5 - 15
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning S 20 - 30
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon SW 25 - 40
Tuesday Night SW 25 - 35
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening S 5 - 15
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning SE 10 - 20
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon SSE 25 - 40
Tuesday Night SSW 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening SE 5 - 15
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning SE 15 - 25
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon SSE 20 - 35
Tuesday Night SW 30 - 50
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- -
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning --- -
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon --- -
Tuesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening S 5 - 15
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning SW 15 - 25
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 35
Tuesday Night SW 30 - 50
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening SE 5 - 15
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning S 20 - 30
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon SW 25 - 40
Tuesday Night SW 25 - 35
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening S 5 - 15
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning SE 10 - 20
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon SSE 25 - 40
Tuesday Night SSW 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening SE 5 - 15
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning SE 15 - 25
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon SSE 20 - 35
Tuesday Night SW 30 - 50
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- -
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning --- -
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon --- -
Tuesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening S 5 - 15
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning SW 15 - 25
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon SSW 20 - 35
Tuesday Night SW 30 - 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.

Free Winds at 9000' (mph)

Mt. Baker Washington Pass Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Monday Afternoon SW 5 - 15 SW 0 - 10 WSW 10 - 20 --- - SW 10 - 20
Monday Night S 20 - 30 SSW 15 - 25 SW 25 - 40 --- - SW 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning SW 50 - 60 SW 40 - 50 SW 50 - 60 --- - SW 50 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon SW 50 - 60 SW 35 - 45 SW 60 - 80 --- - SW 60 - 80
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Monday Night S 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning SW 50 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon SW 50 - 60
Tuesday Night WSW 25 - 35
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon SW 0 - 10
Monday Night SSW 15 - 25
Tuesday Morning SW 40 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon SW 35 - 45
Tuesday Night WSW 35 - 45
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon WSW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 25 - 40
Tuesday Morning SW 50 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon SW 60 - 80
Tuesday Night W 35 - 50
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon --- -
Monday Night --- -
Tuesday Morning --- -
Tuesday Afternoon --- -
Tuesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Monday Night SW 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning SW 50 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon SW 60 - 80
Tuesday Night W 50 - 60

Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday

The active weather pattern will continue for the rest of the work week and extend through next weekend with a weather system arriving every 12-24 hours. 

Shortwave ridging over the area on Wednesday will quickly shift east with high clouds from the next frontal system overspreading the area. A north-south oriented front should pass through Wednseday night with showers lingering on Thursday. This system does not look particularly wet or strong. Another front will arrive during the day Friday. Middling snow levels should continue through the extended without any drastic warm-ups or cool downs.  

Extended Weather

Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood area
Wednesday Morning

Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers ending. 

Wednesday Afternoon

Cloudy. Warming trend. 

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with light rain and snow developing. 

Thursday - Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers tapering down Thursday night.

Friday

Increasing clouds with light rain and snow developing Olympics and west slopes of the Cascades. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Wednesday Morning Snow Level 3000' - 4000' 3000' - 4000' 3500' - 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level 5000' - 6000' 6000' - 7000' 7000' - 8000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level 3500' - 4500' 3500' - 4500' 3500' - 4500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000' - 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
5000' - 6000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500' - 4500'
Thursday - Friday Snow Level
4000' - 5000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000' - 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
6000' - 7000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500' - 4500'
Thursday - Friday Snow Level
4000' - 5000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500' - 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
7000' - 8000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500' - 4500'
Thursday - Friday Snow Level
5000' - 6000'

* 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 29, 2016

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