Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Saturday
No change to afternoon discussion: Post-frontal showers should generally wind down through mid-day as the longwave upper level trough pushes east of the Cascades this morning and upper level ridging begins to build offshore. A convergence zone(s) affecting Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass should give the occasional moderate shower this morning. Snow levels have fallen overnight into the 2500-3000 ft range. The highest snowfall totals overnight with the cooling were 8 inches at Mt. Baker and 5 inches at the top of Alpental and Stevens Pass. Generally 1-4 inches were seen elsewhere in the Olympics and Cascades.
Showers should become more isolated in the afternoon over confined to the higher terrain. Sunbreaks are likely along the west slopes of the Cascades, Olympics and Mt. Hood with increasing sunshine likely along the east slopes of the Cascades.
The upper level ridging will quickly shift over the area Thursday night and shift inland on Friday. A weak front stalling around central Vancouver Island should spread increasing high clouds over the north Cascades and Olympics with sunnier skies expected further south. The front will sag far enough south late Friday night to spread some light rain and snow into the Olympics and north Cascades.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Thursday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with afternoon sunbreaks. Isolated and light mountain showers. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Becoming partly cloudy overnight. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Partly sunny with increasing high clouds in the afternoon. |
| Friday Night |
Increasing clouds overnight with light rain and snow developing in the evening. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Thursday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with afternoon sunbreaks. Isolated and light mountain showers. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Becoming partly cloudy overnight. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Partly sunny north Cascades with increasing high clouds in the afternoon. Mostly sunny south Cascades. |
| Friday Night |
Increasing clouds overnight. Light rain and snow developing north Cascades in the evening and spreading south after midnight. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Thursday Morning |
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers near the Cascade crest. Cooler. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Partly to mostly sunny. Isolated and light mountain showers near the Cascade crest. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Becoming mostly clear overnight. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Partly sunny northeast Cascades with increasing high clouds in the afternoon. Mostly sunny southeast Cascades. |
| Friday Night |
Increasing clouds overnight. Light rain and snow developing northeast Cascades after midnight and spreading south. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Thursday Morning |
Cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. Cooler. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Afternoon sunbreaks possible. |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Becoming partly cloudy overnight. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Mostly sunny and mild. |
| Friday Night |
Increasing clouds overnight. |
Issued: 2:44 PM PDT Thursday, March 30, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 4000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | Freezing Level | 3500' | 3000' | 1500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 6500' | 5500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 8000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 6500' | 4500' | 4500' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 8000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Freezing Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Freezing Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Freezing Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 8000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 8000' |
* 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 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
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: 2:44 PM PDT Thursday, March 30, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 0 - 10 | NW 0 - 10 | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | NW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night - Friday | SW 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | NW 0 - 10 | --- - | NW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | WSW 10 - 20 | SSW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night - Friday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night - Friday | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night - Friday | NW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night - Friday | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night - Friday | NW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night - Friday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night - Friday | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night - Friday | NW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night - Friday | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night - Friday | NW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Night | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 | NNW 20 - 30 | NW 15 - 25 | --- - | NNW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | N 5 - 15 | N 10 - 20 | N 10 - 20 | --- - | N 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 | WNW 10 - 20 | --- - | NW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | WSW 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | --- - | NW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | N 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NNW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | N 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | N 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Afternoon | NNW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | N 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | NW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | NW 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: 2:44 PM PDT Thursday, March 30, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
The frontal system should quickly blow through the Cascades on Saturday with showers decreasing and becoming scattered in the afternoon. There should be more afternoon sunshine once again for the east slopes of the Cascades on Saturday. Alpine winds will be brisk out of the W-NW and snow levels should cool somewhat as well.
After a drying trend Saturday night, an upper level trough should move over the west coast, causing an increase in cloudiness and more scattered and generally light shower activity. An upper level ridge will build over the area late Sunday into Monday with dry weather expected. Forecast models disagree how much moisture will be trapped under the ridge affecting mainly the Olympics and west slopes of the Cascades with moist onshore flow at the surface.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Light rain and snow turning to light to occasionally moderate showers late morning, then showers becoming scattered in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy with afternoon sunbreaks west slopes of the Cascades, Olympics and Mt. Hood. Partly sunny east slopes. Slight cooling trend.
Partly to mostly cloudy with light showers ending overnight.
Mostly cloudy with light scattered showers.
Partly to mostly cloudy with light showers ending overnight.
Partly to mostly sunny.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 5500' | 6000' - 7000' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | 5500' - 6500' | |
| Sunday - Sunday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Monday | Freezing Level | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | 5000' - 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Sunday - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Monday |
Freezing Level 5000' - 6000' |
* 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 30, 2017
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