Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Wednesday
320 PM Updated Hurricane Ridge precipitation: We'll remain in the warm sector for a few more hours before a strong front comes through the Cascades during the early morning hours. Mountain winds that were already strong or very strong today will increase as the front approaches this evening. After a mild day with widespread temperatures in the upper 30s and 40s at weather stations on both sides of the Cascades crest, snow levels should come crashing down with the onset of precipitation early this evening for the Olympics and later this evening for the Cascades.
The front will sweep through the Cascades early Saturday morning will strong post-frontal westerlies only easing somewhat in the afternoon. Light to moderate snow showers, much lower snow levels and windy conditions will make it feel like winter once again on Saturday. As is typical in westerly flow, the highest accumulations from snow showers will be along the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics, with lower totals along the east slopes of the Cascades.
Showers should taper down but not end Saturday night into the Sunday morning with snow levels holding steady in the 1000-2000 ft range. Another front will approach from the west on Sunday. This front may weaken as it becomes N-S oriented and slows as it moves inland, but another round of light to moderate snow is likely.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Friday Night | Light rain and snow becoming moderate overnight. Sharp cooling trend. Winds very strong to extreme, highest in the evening. |
| Saturday | Light to moderate snow showers becoming scattered showers with sunbreaks in the afternoon. Strong and gusty west winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Friday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming moderate overnight. Sharp cooling trend. Winds very strong to extreme, highest in the evening. |
| Saturday | Light to moderate snow showers, likely heaviest in the morning. Strong and gusty west winds decreasing in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Friday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing, heaviest closer to the Cascade crest. Cooling trend late. Very strong alpine winds. |
| Saturday | Light snow showers, occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest. Strong and gusty west winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight. Sharp cooling trend. Very strong alpine winds. Light to moderate east winds at Pass level becoming moderate west winds late. |
| Saturday | Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Strong and gusty west winds at all levels. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Friday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight, heavier amounts near Paradise. Very strong alpine winds. |
| Saturday | Light to occasionally moderate snow showers, heaviest showers near Paradise and White Pass. Strong and gusty west winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday Night | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing overnight. Late cooling trend. Very strong alpine winds. |
| Saturday | Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Strong and gusty west winds decreasing slightly in the afternoon. |
Issued: 3:23 PM PST Friday, January 3, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | Snow Level * | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 7000' | 6500' | 7000' | 6500' | 7000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
* 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
| Friday Night | Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Wednesday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
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: 3:23 PM PST Friday, January 3, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 40 | S 40 - 60 | S 25 - 35 | S 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 25 - 35 | W 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | SW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 40 - 60 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 40 - 60 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 35 - 45 |
| Friday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 60 - 80 | SW 60 - 80 | SW 60 - 80 | SW 60 - 80 | SW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Night | WSW 40 - 50 | SW 40 - 50 | WSW 45 - 55 | W 40 - 50 | W 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Morning | W 50 - 60 | W 55 - 65 | W 50 - 60 | W 40 - 50 | W 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 | W 45 - 55 | W 40 - 50 | W 30 - 40 | W 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Night | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Morning | W 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Night | SW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Morning | W 55 - 65 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 45 - 55 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Night | WSW 45 - 55 |
| Saturday Morning | W 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Morning | W 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 60 - 80 |
| Friday Night | W 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Morning | W 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
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: 3:23 PM PST Friday, January 3, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
On Sunday night, the front will pass through leaving us in a cool showery westerly flow. As this progressive weather pattern continues, there will not be much of a break between systems as a warm front begins lifting over the area Monday morning through Monday night. This frontal system could lead to a round of moderate to heavy precipitation, increasing winds and rising snow levels. Much like today, our region may end up in the warm sector on Tuesday as we wait for the cold front to sweep through.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | * |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 5500' | * |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 5500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
* 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 3, 2020
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