Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Monday
A weak weather system will continue to impact the area Tuesday night bringing rain and snow showers to the Cascades. This isn't a big snow producer and accumulations should be limited. However, as this system exits, it will leave the door open for a larger stronger system to arrive later Wednesday. This second system should pack a much bigger punch. Look for precipitation to spread across the region Wednesday evening bringing rain and snow to the mountains.
There's a lot to talk about with this second stronger system. First, while total precipitation amounts are looking good, the weather models aren't in total agreement with the amount of water we're expecting. As a result, I don't have high confidence in these numbers. I tended to hedge my forecast towards the middle and expect the heaviest accumulations to be near the volcanoes. Moisture seems to make it over the Cascade crest with little issue, but, like many locations, the models don't agree on how much rain and snow may fall. Second, while this system is cool, it isn't exactly cold. We'll see snow levels decrease and bottom-out in the 3500 ft range for many areas. For lower elevation locations such as Snoqualmie Pass, a few hundred-foot change could mean the difference between mostly snow and mostly rain. Lastly, the wind. Expect the wind to increase and impact mid and lower elevation slopes Wednesday afternoon and evening in some locations. This system seems to hang with us through the short-term, with precipitation tapering off late Friday
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Mostly cloudy. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and snow in the afternoon. Moderate to strong winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with scattered showers. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and snow in the afternoon. Moderate to strong winds increasing in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with scattered showers. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with a chance of rain and snow in the afternoon. Moderate to strong winds increasing in the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with scattered showers. Light east flow decreasing. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with rain and snow in the afternoon. Moderate to strong winds increasing in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with scattered showers. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with rain and snow in the afternoon. Heaviest precipitation near the volcanoes. Moderate winds increasing in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy with scattered showers. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy with rain and snow in the afternoon. Moderate to strong winds increasing in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:26 PM PST Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4500' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' | 5500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' | 5500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
* 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
| Tuesday Night | Monday | Monday Night | Monday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 | 1.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 1.00 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Monday | 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: 2:26 PM PST Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SSW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 | S 20 - 30 | S 15 - 25 | SSW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
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: 2:26 PM PST Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday
Expect rain and snow to continue in the mountains through Friday as several waves of moisture arrive in the pacific northwest. You may experience a few breaks in the precipitation, especially Friday as the pattern transitions to more showery weather. Saturday appears drier with scattered showers over the mountains as a weak high-pressure ridge gives us a break from the action.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4500' | 4000' - 5500' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2500' - 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
* 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 Dec 9, 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.