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 & Saturday
A developing low pressure system tracked off the NW tip of the Olympic peninsula and across central Vancouver Island this morning. Snow levels eventually rose to around 5500 feet in the Mt. Baker area to around 7500 feet in the Mt. Hood area by mid-day, also bumping above Pass levels by late morning. The cold front has sagged SE across the Cascades mid-day with post-frontal showers beginning this 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 through the morning hours.
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
Olympics
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Light to occasionally 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. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Light to 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. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| 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 with isolated showers near the Cascade crest. |
| Thursday Night |
Partly cloudy. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Light to occasionally 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: 3:06 PM 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 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 Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' |
| 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 Mid-day |
Snow Level 5000' |
| 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 Mid-day |
Snow Level 5000' |
| 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 Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6000' |
| 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 Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 7500' |
| 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 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 1.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| 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 - 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 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 2.00 - 2.50 | 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: 3:06 PM PDT Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | WSW 25 - 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 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 Afternoon | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WNW 15 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 Afternoon | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 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 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 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 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 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 Mid-day - Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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.
Issued: 3:06 PM PDT Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
The upper level ridge will move over the area on Friday providing us with a dry and mild day. Sunshine may become filtered in the afternoon as a weak frontal system over Vancouver Island begins to spread some high clouds inland, especially over the Olympics and north Cascades. The ridge will flatten and shift east Friday night with light rain and snow developing for the Olympics and north Cascades. As the front peters out and passes inland Saturday, a period of post-frontal showers is likely mainly for the west slopes of the Cascades while the east slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood should see a fair amount of sunshine on Saturday afternoon. A deeper trough is forecast to move over the Pacific Northwest on Sunday. This should produce more widespread showers with falling snow levels.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood
Partly to mostly sunny. Milder. Increasing high clouds Olympics and north Cascades in the afternoon.
Increasing clouds. Light rain and snow developing north Cascades and Olympics.
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers especially Olympics and west slopes of the Cascades. Becoming partly sunny Mt. Hood and east slopes of the Cascades.
Mostly cloudy.
Cloudy with light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Cooler.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night | Freezing Level | 5000' - 6000' | 5500' - 6500' | 7000' - 8000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 5000' - 6000' | 6000' - 7000' | |
| Saturday Night - Sunday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Freezing Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Freezing Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Saturday Night - Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Freezing Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Saturday Night - 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 29, 2017
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