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 & Monday
Isolated showers Wednesday morning should transition to light rain and snow late this afternoon and evening as a Pacific frontal band approaches. The front should pass through the Cascades around or just after midnight, and usher in a period of cool W-NW flow through the short term.
Orographic snow showers will affect mainly the western slopes of the Cascades and Olympics through Thursday night. Snow levels will be seasonally cool, but will still be subject to daytime warming effects Thursday afternoon, with a slight bump in snow levels in-between showers. Moderate westerly flow will lead to downsloping and quickly decrease precipitation amounts and cloud cover east of the Cascade crest, and W-NW ridgetop winds will be moderate in places like Mission Ridge throughout Thursday.
The current WRF 4km run has a convergence zone aimed north of Stevens Pass Thursday evening with the potential to locally enhance snowfall. A shortwave should help enhance shower activity Thursday night along the west slopes.
Weather Forecast
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Morning |
Cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing north Cascades. Slow warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night |
Moderate rain and snow, heaviest Mt. Baker in the evening, becoming moderate rain and snow showers after midnight. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Cooler. Potentially heavy snowfall near potential Puget Sound convergence zone late Thursday afternoon and night. |
Olympics
| Wednesday Morning |
Cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Cloudy with light rain and snow developing. Slow warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night |
Moderate rain and snow, becoming light to moderate rain and snow showers late evening. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Cooler. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday |
Cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. Slow warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, becoming moderate rain and snow showers after midnight. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Cooler. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday |
Cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, becoming mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers after midnight. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers, heaviest near the Cascade crest. Cooler. |
Issued: 7:37 AM PDT Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | 5500' | 4500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 6000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
* 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
| Monday | Monday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 0.75 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| White Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0 - 1.50 |
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: 7:37 AM PDT Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 25 - 40 | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 15 - 30 | W 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | --- - | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 15 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 30 | --- - | W 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 25 - 40 |
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 25 - 40 |
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 25 - 35 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 40 - 50 | --- - | WSW 45 - 60 |
| Thursday | W 20 - 30 | W 35 - 45 | W 30 - 40 | --- - | NW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 15 - 25 | NW 20 - 30 | WNW 25 - 35 | --- - | NW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday | W 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | NW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 45 - 60 |
| Thursday | NW 40 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | NW 35 - 45 |
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: 7:37 AM PDT Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday
Showers should quickly wind down Friday, although only a partial clearing trend is expected along the west slopes as warmer air aloft helps to cap low level moisture.
On Saturday a weak incoming system may spread some light rain and snow into the Olympics and north Cascades by the afternoon. Snow levels should moderate a bit ahead of this next system.
Precipitation looks light until the trough axis swings through later Saturday night, and a cold upper low moves overhead on Sunday. Cloudy skies with spring showers should be seen on Sunday with an unstable and cool air mass overhead.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Mostly cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers west slopes of the Cascades, Olympics, and Mt. Hood Friday morning, becoming mostly to partly cloudy in the afternoon. Partly to mostly sunny east slopes of the Cascades.
Partly to mostly clear.
Increasing clouds with light rain and snow developing Olympics and north Cascades. Slight warming trend.
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow.
Mostly cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Cooler.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 5500' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' - 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
* 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 Mar 18, 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.