Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Saturday
A developing low pressure system tracking off the NW tip of the Olympic peninsula has the Pacific Northwest in the warm sector of the storm this morning. However snow levels have been slow to rise with low level easterly flow helping to suppress snow levels at all the major Passes as well as a large north-south snow level gradient from Mt. Baker (3500 feet) to Mt. Hood (7000 feet). Snow levels should rise above Pass levels by late morning, and then bump up a bit more with a switch to westerly flow early this afternoon. The cold front is forecast to sag SE across the Cascades mid-day, with post-frontal showers following in the afternoon. Showers look heaviest for the Mt. Baker area this afternoon and then a convergence zone should form this evening and affect the central Washington Cascades. Snow levels should fall to 3000-3500 feet overnight as the trailing upper level trough moves over the area.
Showers should decrease on Thursday and become isolated in the afternoon for the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics. More sunshine should be seen for the east slopes of the Washington Cascades. An upper level ridge offshore will move over western Washington and Oregon Thursday night with generally dry conditions expected.
Weather Forecast
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Morning |
Moderate rain and snow. Slow warming trend. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Moderate rain and snow showers, locally heavy Mt. Baker. Slow warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers and afternoon sunbreaks. |
| Thursday Night |
Partly cloudy. |
Olympics
| Wednesday Morning |
Moderate rain and snow. Slow warming trend. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers and afternoon sunbreaks. |
| Thursday Night |
Partly cloudy. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday Morning |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. Slow warming trend. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Slow warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Slow cooling trend. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Partly to mostly cloudy. |
| Thursday Night |
Partly cloudy. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday Morning |
Moderate rain and snow. Slow warming trend. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers and afternoon sunbreaks. |
| Thursday Night |
Partly cloudy. |
Issued: 7:37 AM PDT Wednesday, March 29, 2017
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 * | 5000' | 3500' | 4000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 7000' |
| Wednesday Mid-day | Snow Level * | 6500' | 5000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 7500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | ' | ' | 5500' | ' | 6500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | Snow Level | 400' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 400' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday 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
| Saturday | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 2.00 - 2.50 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
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 29, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 | SSE 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 30 | --- - | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 15 - 30 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | WNW 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | WNW 5 - 15 | --- - | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | W 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | WNW 5 - 15 | --- - | NW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WNW 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | W 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WNW 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | NW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 35 - 45 | --- - | WSW 60 - 70 |
| Wednesday Mid-day - Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 45 - 55 | --- - | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 30 - 40 | --- - | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 | WNW 25 - 35 | NW 25 - 35 | --- - | NW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | N 15 - 25 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 20 - 30 | --- - | NW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | N 15 - 25 | N 10 - 20 | NNW 10 - 20 | --- - | N 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Mid-day - Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | N 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | N 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Mid-day - Wednesday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | N 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Mid-day - Wednesday Afternoon | SW 45 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | NW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | NNW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Mid-day - Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 60 - 70 |
| Wednesday Mid-day - Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 50 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | NW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | N 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.
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Previous forecast from Mar 19, 2017
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