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 & Friday
A front passed through Friday night, producing 2 to 8 inches of heavy wet snow along the west slopes of the Cascades above 4000 feet through early Saturday morning. Leftover showers are generally light and should not amount to significant new snow accumulations for the first half of Saturday.
A strong westerly jet directed into central B.C. will drop south and into central Oregon by Sunday afternoon. Along the way, we will transition to a much colder air mass over the weekend.
Light showers today will become steady precipitation by Saturday afternoon for the Olympics and north Cascades as a developing wave offshore moves inland. Snow levels along with moderate to strong westerly ridge-top winds will remain steady today. The associated frontal boundary will sag south Saturday night, bringing heavier precipitation for the central and south Washington Cascades. With strong downslope drying along the east slopes of the Cascades in this pattern, much lighter precipitation totals are expected.
A rapid cooling trend will begin early Sunday morning and continue through the day with snow levels falling behind the frontal boundary from north to south. Snoqualmie Pass should transition from a rain/snow mix at Pass level to all snow sometime around 4 am with the frontal passage. This system should bring a decent shot of snow for the west slopes along with a nice cooling trend! Shower activity should quickly taper down from north to south Sunday, with a partial clearing trend expected across the area.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, and north Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Mt. Baker
| Saturday Afternoon - Saturday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Sharp cooling trend late Saturday night. Moderate to strong westerly ridgetop winds. |
| Sunday - Sunday Night |
Becoming partly cloudy mid-day with isolated light snow showers. Colder. |
Central and south Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Saturday |
Cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers. Moderate westerly ridgetop winds. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Light to moderate rain and snow becoming moderate to occasionally heavy late Saturday night and Sunday morning. Sharp cooling trend early Sunday morning. Moderate to strong westerly ridgetop winds. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Becoming partly cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Colder. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Saturday |
Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow showers near the crest. Moderate westerly ridgetop winds. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Light rain and snow, except moderate near the Cascade crest, developing north Cascades and spreading south overnight. Sharp cooling trend early Sunday morning. Moderate to strong westerly ridgetop winds. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Becoming partly cloudy with isolated light snow showers. Colder. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Saturday |
Cloudy with a chance of very light rain and snow showers, except partly cloudy east side of the mountain. Moderate to occasionally strong westerly winds. |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning |
Light rain and snow developing and becoming moderate to occasionally heavy Sunday morning. Sharp cooling trend Sunday morning. Moderate to strong westerly winds. |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers tapering down in the evening. Colder. |
Issued: 1:15 PM PST Saturday, December 3, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 500' | 500' | 500' | ' | ' | 500' | ' | 1500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 0' | ' | 500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday - Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
* 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 | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 1.00 - 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: 1:15 PM PST Saturday, December 3, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 35 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 45 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 | W 5 - 15 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 10 - 20 | NW 0 - 10 | NW 10 - 20 | --- - | NW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 | S 0 - 10 | SSW 5 - 15 | --- - | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 25 - 45 |
| Sunday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 25 - 45 |
| Sunday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
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 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 35 - 50 | --- - | NW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 35 - 50 | W 40 - 50 | W 45 - 60 | --- - | W 45 - 60 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 30 - 40 | --- - | NW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | SW 0 - 10 | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | W 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 45 - 60 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | --- - |
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Afternoon | NW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Night - Sunday Morning | W 45 - 60 |
| Sunday Afternoon | NW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 |
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: 1:15 PM PST Saturday, December 3, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
The PNW will be on the backside of a cold upper trough; the coldest air mass by far this season will be over the region beginning Sunday evening. A weak front should swing down the backside of the trough on Monday. Generally light accumulations of snow are possible through Monday evening, although a Puget Sound Convergence Zone following the front could generate locally higher accumulations in the central Cascades through Monday evening.
The pattern should dry out and remain cold on Tuesday and Wednesday as an upper level ridge offshore shifts inland Wednesday.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Light snow becoming mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers late morning. Locally higher accumulations possible near a Possible Puget Sound Convergence Zone beginning late morning Monday. Cold.
Becoming partly cloudy with showers ending except scattered light snow showers Mt. Hood. Cold.
Partly to mostly sunny. Cold.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 500' | 0' - 500' | 0' - 1000' | |
| Tuesday - Wednesday | Freezing Level | 0' - 500' | 0' - 500' | 0' - 1000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 500' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 0' - 500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 500' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 0' - 500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday - Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Tuesday - Wednesday |
Freezing Level 0' - 1000' |
* 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 Dec 3, 2016
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