Issued: 7:12 AM PST Sunday, January 12, 2014
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 Sunday & Friday

A strong cold front and good orographic flow brought snow levels down overnight and deposited 5 - 15 inches of snow through 4 am, with the most snow above 4000 feet for the west slopes from the north Cascades down to Mt. Hood.  A warm front extending from a low off the Alaska Panhandle will deliver more precipitation today...but not without a significant warming trend.  Snow levels should rise...rapidly during the afternoon hours for the west slopes.   Westerly winds will continue to be strong today...with perhaps a lull in the late morning before increasing again in the afternoon.  

The upper level ridge offshore around 140 W will continue to shift east through the short term and push the jet stream well into Canada. Steady rain and snow should shift north on Monday, with a drying trend for Mt. Hood and lighter precipitation for the south and central Cascades and Olympics.  Only the north Cascades should continue to see moderate precipitation rates at moderate snow levels before tapering off late Monday night.  

Weather Forecast

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

Moderate to heavy rain and snow. Strong winds increasing further late in the afternoon. Rapid warming trend in the afternoon. 

Sunday Night

Moderate rain and snow tapering from south to north and becoming light late Sunday night south and central Washington Cascades. Continuing strong winds.  

Monday

Light rain and snow, except occasionally moderate north Cascades.  Winds beginning to ease Monday afternoon.    

East slopes of the Washington Cascades
Sunday - Sunday Evening

Moderate rain and snow, decreasing to light rain and snow east of the crest. Strong winds increasing further late in the afternoon. Rapid warming trend in the afternoon. 

Sunday Night

Light rain and snow tapering from south to north overnight and becoming partly cloudy south and central east slopes. Continuing strong winds.  

Monday

Light rain and snow northeast Cascades.  Partly cloudy elsewhere.   Winds beginning to ease Monday afternoon.  

Mt. Hood Area
Sunday - Sunday Evening

Moderate to heavy rain and snow. Strong winds increasing further late in the afternoon. Rapid warming trend in the afternoon. 

Sunday Night

Moderate rain and snow tapering down Sunday night. Continuing strong winds.  

Monday

Light rain and snow ending Monday morning and becoming partly sunny in the afternoon.  

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Sunday Morning Snow Level 3500' ' ' ' ' 2500' ' 3500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level 5500' ' ' ' ' 4500' ' 5000'
Sunday Night Snow Level 5500' ' ' ' ' 4500' ' 5000'
Monday Snow Level 5000' ' ' ' ' 4000' ' 5000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
5500'
Monday Snow Level
5000'
Monday Night Snow Level
5500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Morning Snow Level
'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Sunday Night Snow Level
'
Monday Snow Level
'
Monday Night Snow Level
'
Washington Pass Elevation
Sunday Morning Snow Level
'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Sunday Night Snow Level
'
Monday Snow Level
'
Monday Night Snow Level
'
Leavenworth Elevation
Sunday Morning Snow Level
'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Sunday Night Snow Level
'
Monday Snow Level
'
Monday Night Snow Level
'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Morning Snow Level
'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Sunday Night Snow Level
'
Monday Snow Level
'
Monday Night Snow Level
'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
4500'
Monday Snow Level
4000'
Monday Night Snow Level
4500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Sunday Morning Snow Level
'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Sunday Night Snow Level
'
Monday Snow Level
'
Monday Night Snow Level
'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
5000'
Monday Snow Level
5000'
Monday Night Snow Level
7000'

* 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 - 1.50 0 - 0.75
Washington Pass 0 - 0.75 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass 0 - 1.50 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 1.50 - 2.00 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt 1.00 - 1.50 LT 0.10
Paradise 1.50 - 2.00 LT 0.25
White Pass 0 - 1.50 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 1.50 - 2.00 LT 0.10
0 - 2.00 LT 0.10

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Sunday Morning SW 15 - 25 --- - W 30 - 40 --- - W 20 - 30
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night W 35 - 50 --- - WSW 35 - 50 --- - W 30 - 40
Monday Morning W 30 - 40 --- - WSW 35 - 45 --- - W 20 - 30
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening WNW 15 - 25 --- - W 20 - 30 --- - WNW 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Sunday Morning SW 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night W 35 - 50
Monday Morning W 30 - 40
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening WNW 15 - 25
Monday Night W 10 - 20
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Morning --- -
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night --- -
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- -
Monday Night --- -
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Morning W 30 - 40
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night WSW 35 - 50
Monday Morning WSW 35 - 45
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening W 20 - 30
Monday Night W 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Sunday Morning --- -
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night --- -
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- -
Monday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Morning W 20 - 30
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night W 30 - 40
Monday Morning W 20 - 30
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening WNW 15 - 25
Monday Night WNW 5 - 15
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning SW 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night W 35 - 50
Monday Morning W 30 - 40
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening WNW 15 - 25
Monday Night W 10 - 20
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning --- -
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night --- -
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- -
Monday Night --- -
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning W 30 - 40
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night WSW 35 - 50
Monday Morning WSW 35 - 45
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening W 20 - 30
Monday Night W 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning --- -
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night --- -
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- -
Monday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning W 20 - 30
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night W 30 - 40
Monday Morning W 20 - 30
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening WNW 15 - 25
Monday Night WNW 5 - 15

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
Sunday Morning --- - --- - WNW 40 - 50 --- - WNW 50 - 60
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening --- - --- - WNW 55 - 65 --- - NW 55 - 65
Monday Morning --- - --- - WNW 60 - 80 --- - WNW 55 - 65
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- - --- - NW 50 - 60 --- - NW 55 - 65
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning --- -
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening --- -
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- -
Monday Night --- -
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning --- -
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening --- -
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- -
Monday Night --- -
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning WNW 40 - 50
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening WNW 55 - 65
Monday Morning WNW 60 - 80
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening NW 50 - 60
Monday Night NW 35 - 50
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning --- -
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening --- -
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening --- -
Monday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Sunday Morning WNW 50 - 60
Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening NW 55 - 65
Monday Morning WNW 55 - 65
Monday Afternoon - Monday Evening NW 55 - 65
Monday Night NW 20 - 30

Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday

The upper level ridge will be firmly in control through the rest of the week.  A weak frontal system will fail to crash the ridge Tuesday and Wednesday...but may produce some more cloud cover closer to the Canadian Border.  Otherwise mild and mostly clear conditions are expected Tuesday through Thursday with mild freezing levels of around 10000 feet. Strong surface high pressure should develop over Eastern Washington by Thursday...increasing offshore flow through the passes.   

The next weather system may not arrive until next weekend.  

Extended Weather

Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Tuesday - Wednesday

Partly to mostly cloudy north, mostly clear central and south.  Mild.  

Thursday

Mostly clear and mild. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level ' - ' 6000' - 7000' 9000' - 10000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
' - '
Tuesday Afternoon - Thursday Freezing Level
' - '
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
6000' - 7000'
Tuesday Afternoon - Thursday Freezing Level
9000' - 11000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Morning Freezing Level
9000' - 10000'
Tuesday Afternoon - Thursday Freezing Level
10000' - 12000'

* 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 Jan 11, 2014

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