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 night through Friday
A surface low-pressure center spiraling 150 miles off of Tatoosh Island Thursday afternoon continues tracking north. A weakly organized band of moderate (and locally heavy) rain and snow will cross the region during the evening hours, accompanied by moderate to locally strong winds. A frontal passage will bring a shift from easterly low-level winds, which have been adding to snowfall totals on the east slopes of the Cascades. A change from SE winds aloft to WSW will push milder air back west through the mountain gaps, changing the snow or rain/snow mix to all rain at Snoqualmie Pass by around midnight. The west slopes of the Cascades will generally see 0.5-1.5" of snow water equivalent overnight.
Lighter post-frontal snow showers will decrease on Friday and end from south to north as flow shifts southerly ahead of a deep and moisture-laden low-pressure tracking toward the Queen Charlotte Islands. Moisture will spread into the region from the SW late in the day Friday, with heavy rain and snow, rapidly rising snow levels (to near crest level) along the west slopes of the Cascades, and moderate to strong winds buffeting the region. A wind shift by around midnight Friday night will switch Stevens Pass to rain. Snoqualmie pass may experience a changeover earlier.
On Saturday, post-frontal rain and snow showers will diminish rapidly except in the North Cascades and Mt. Hood areas as snow levels drop to just above Snoqualmie Pass level.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday Night | Light snow. Moderate to strong winds decreasing. |
| Friday | Decreasing light snow showers in the morning, then a brief break before very light snow renews in the afternoon. Moderate winds increasing and gusting strong by afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday Night | Light snow early, becoming moderate or heavy after 7 PM. |
| Friday | Decreasing light to moderate snow showers. Moderate winds increasing and gusting strong after 10 PM. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday Night | Very light snow early, then light to moderate snow developing during the late evening hours. Moderate winds at 5,000 ft; Strong crest-level winds. |
| Friday | Decreasing light snow showers. Light to moderate winds becoming moderate late in the day. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday Night | Moderate snow in the evening, becoming light to moderate rain and snow showers. Pass-level winds shift from E 15-25 to W 15-25 over the course of the night. The wind shift will also change Snoqualmie Pass from snow to rain at Snoqualmie Pass and will occur by around midnight. Stevens Pass may mix with rain at times after midnight. |
| Friday | Light rain and snow showers decreasing or ending in the afternoon. More rain and snow arriving by nightfall. Snow levels generally just above Snoqualmie Pass level. Moderate winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday Night | Heavy snow at Paradise; Light to moderate snow at Crystal and White Pass. Moderate wind, gusting strong. |
| Friday | Decreasing light snow showers ending mid-day. Light snow re-developing in the afternoon. Moderate winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday Night | Moderate snow. Moderate to strong winds. |
| Friday | Light snow showers ending early. Cloudy, then light snow becoming moderate by late afternoon. Increasing moderate winds. |
Issued: 2:46 PM PST Thursday, January 17, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 4500' | 3500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level * | 5000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 5000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level * | 7500' | 4500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' | 5500' | 7500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 5500' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Thursday Night | Friday | Friday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 2.00 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.00 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 -1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 1.50 | 0.25 | 1.50 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 2.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 2.00 - 2.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 2.00 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | 0 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday Night | 2.00 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday Night | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
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: 2:46 PM PST Thursday, January 17, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 45 | SSE 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 | SSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | S 10 - 20 | SSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SE 25 - 35 | ESE 15 - 25 | E 10 - 20 | ESE 15 - 25 | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SE 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SE 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
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 Evening | SSW 35 - 50 | SSW 45 - 65 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 60 | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 35 - 50 | WSW 40 - 60 | WSW 35 - 50 | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 | SSE 10 - 20 | S 20 - 30 | SSW 30 - 45 | SW 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SSW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
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: 2:46 PM PST Thursday, January 17, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
The stalled front near Mt. Hood will continue to bring moisture to Oregon, while snow shower activity ends in the North Cascades.
An upper-level trough digs in over northern California and Oregon on Sunday and Sunday night. Models diverge regarding how far north the unstable shower activity reaches. At present, it is likely to keep showers over Oregon, but the instability showers might extend over Washington as well. In either case, expect cool weather with snow levels dropping well below pass level.
The trough moves eastward on Monday as another storm north of our region, trailing a front that will impact our region Monday night or Tuesday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | 0' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 0' - 2000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 1000' - 3000' |
* 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 17, 2019
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.