Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Friday & Sunday
A quick moving frontal system in strong westerly flow produced about 10-12 inches of snow along the north and central Cascades of Washington. Less snow was seen in the Olympics, the south Washington Cascades, Mt. Hood and below about 4000 feet for the central Cascades due to a period of rain Thursday evening.
A convergence zone that formed downwind of Vancouver Island in NW flow overnight is beginning to peter out as the flow aloft turns more northerly. A longwave trough axis oriented E-W over Washington Friday morning will slide south later this morning with weak ridging building into British Columbia. The PNW should see a drying trend with a healthy does of sunshine and steady cold temperatures expected this afternoon.
A quick moving system upstream in NW flow will slide toward the area on Saturday, spreading light snowfall over the Olympics and north and central Cascades by early afternoon.
A light to moderate shot of snowfall should come Saturday night as the front quickly sweeps south and a cold upper trough begins to dig off the Washington coast.
Weather Forecast
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Friday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers. |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Mostly clear. Isolated light snow showers in the afternoon. |
| Saturday Morning |
Increasing clouds north part. Mostly sunny south and central Washington Cascades. |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Light snow north and central Washington Cascades. Becoming cloudy south Washington Cascades. Alpine winds increasing beginning mid-day. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Friday Morning |
Partly cloudy near the crest, mostly clear elsewhere. |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Mostly clear. |
| Saturday Morning |
Increasing clouds north part. Mostly sunny south and central Washington Cascades. |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Light snow developing north and central Washington Cascades. Becoming cloudy south Washington Cascades. Alpine winds increasing beginning mid-day. |
| Saturday Night |
Light snow showers. |
Olympics
| Friday Morning |
Partly cloudy with isolated light snow showers. |
| Saturday Morning |
Increasing clouds. |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Light snow developing by late morning with winds increasing. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Mostly clear. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Friday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers. |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night |
Mostly clear. |
| Saturday Morning - Saturday Mid-day |
Mostly sunny. |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Becoming mostly cloudy. Alpine winds increasing. |
| Saturday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. |
Issued: 7:36 AM PST Friday, December 30, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 500' | ' | ' | 1000' | ' | 2000' |
| Saturday Mid-day | Snow Level | 2500' | 1000' | 500' | ' | ' | 1000' | ' | 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 500' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 1500' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 0' | ' | 1000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Mid-day |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Sunday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
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: 7:36 AM PST Friday, December 30, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 5 - 15 | WNW 0 - 10 | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | NW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | N 0 - 10 | NW 0 - 10 | NW 0 - 10 | --- - | NW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Morning | W 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | W 20 - 30 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 15 - 30 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | NE 10 - 20 | NE 10 - 20 | NW 0 - 10 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | N 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | NE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WNW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | NE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | N 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | NE 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | WNW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Night | NE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | --- - |
| Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon - Friday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Saturday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon - Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 15 - 25 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 20 - 30 | --- - | W 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | N 10 - 20 | N 15 - 25 | N 10 - 20 | --- - | NNE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | NW 15 - 25 | NW 15 - 30 | NW 15 - 25 | --- - | NE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Mid-day - Saturday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 | W 35 - 45 | W 35 - 50 | --- - | WNW 25 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | NE 20 - 30 | NE 15 - 25 | NW 15 - 30 | --- - | WNW 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | N 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Mid-day - Saturday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | NE 20 - 30 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | N 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | NW 15 - 30 |
| Saturday Mid-day - Saturday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Night | NE 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | NW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | N 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Mid-day - Saturday Afternoon | W 35 - 50 |
| Saturday Night | NW 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | --- - |
| Saturday Mid-day - Saturday Afternoon | --- - |
| Saturday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | NNE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | NE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Mid-day - Saturday Afternoon | WNW 25 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | WNW 35 - 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Dec 29, 2016
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