Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Friday
4PM Update: Adjusted Mt. Hood precipitation forecast
Scattered showers with occasional bursts of heavier snow, gusty west winds, and a convergence zone in the Mt Loop to Stevens Pass vicinity sum up this afternoon and evening's weather pattern. Before shower activity has a chance to taper down overnight, a wetter and more significant weather system is on tap as warm frontal precipitation begins to move into the region late tonight.
Storm conditions develop on Monday as precipitation rates increase during the day with many areas becoming moderate to heavy by the afternoon. Increasing westerly winds and a slow warming trend will accompany the rain and snow. Check the snow level forecast for timing of the warm-up in your area.
Moderate to heavy precipitation, warming, and significant westerly winds will continue into Monday night as a secondary wave develops along the existing E-W oriented frontal band offshore. Unlike the first round of moisture, this wave will develop into a deep low pressure system and curl north towards Vancouver Island on Tuesday. This should drag warm frontal precipitation north overnight Monday into Tuesday, leading to drier conditions for the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. Snow levels should level off in the 5000-6000 ft range Monday night through mid-day Tuesday, with milder air finally working into the east slopes of the Cascades during this period.
Timing on the cold front's passage Tuesday afternoon or evening is less certain, but any break should be short-lived as precipitation fills back in during the afternoon hour or evening.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Sunday Night | Scattered showers with light to occasionally moderate snow showers this evening. Light snow developing after midnight. |
| Monday | Moderate heavy rain and snow. Warming trend. Increasing winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Sunday Night | Scattered showers with light to occasionally moderate snow showers this evening. Light snow developing after midnight. |
| Monday | Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Warming trend.Increasing winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Sunday Night | Scattered showers with light to occasionally moderate snow showers this evening near the Cascade crest easing after midnight. Increasing alpine winds overnight. |
| Monday | Light to moderate rain and snow, heavier near the crest. Slow warming trend. Strong alpine winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Sunday Night | Scattered showers with light to occasionally moderate snow showers this evening especially near Stevens Pass. Light snow developing after midnight and becoming light to moderate late. Light to moderate west winds becoming east overnight at Pass level. |
| Monday | Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Warming trend. Light east winds becoming moderate west winds at Pass level in the afternoon. Increasing west winds at ridgetop level in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Sunday Night | Scattered showers with light to occasionally moderate snow showers this evening. Light snow developing after midnight, becoming light to moderate snow late. |
| Monday | Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Precipitation lighter in the Crystal area. Warming trend. Increasing west winds at ridgetop level in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday Night | Scattered showers with light to occasionally moderate snow showers this evening. Light snow developing after midnight, becoming light to moderate snow late. Strong west winds. |
| Monday | Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Warming trend. Very strong west winds. |
Issued: 4:07 PM PST Sunday, January 5, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level * | 5000' | 2000' | 1500' | 2500' | 2000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 6000' | 4000' | 3000' | 4500' | 4000' | 5000' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Monday Evening | Snow Level | 6000' | 5000' | 4500' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 6000' | 5000' | 4500' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | 5000' | 5000' | 4500' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5000' | 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Tuesday 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
| Sunday Night | Friday | Friday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.50 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.75 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.75 | 1.50 - 2.00 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.75 -1.00 | 2.00 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.75 | 1.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 1.00 |
| Friday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | 0.75 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday Night | 1.50 |
| Friday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | 0.75 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| Friday Night | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Friday | 2.00 |
| Friday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 1.50 |
| Friday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.25 - 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: 4:07 PM PST Sunday, January 5, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | W 35 - 45 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | W 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Monday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Monday 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 | W 40 - 50 | W 45 - 55 | W 40 - 50 | W 50 - 60 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 35 - 45 | W 40 - 50 | W 50 - 60 | W 45 - 55 | W 55 - 65 |
| Monday Morning | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 45 | W 55 - 65 | W 50 - 60 | W 55 - 65 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 | W 40 - 50 | W 55 - 65 | W 50 - 60 | W 55 - 65 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Monday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Monday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 45 - 55 |
| Sunday Night | W 50 - 60 |
| Monday Morning | W 55 - 65 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 55 - 65 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Night | W 45 - 55 |
| Monday Morning | W 50 - 60 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 50 - 60 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 50 - 60 |
| Sunday Night | W 55 - 65 |
| Monday Morning | W 55 - 65 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 55 - 65 |
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: 4:07 PM PST Sunday, January 5, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
The associated cold front will sweep through Tuesday night with post-frontal showers and a strong cooling trend. Behind this front, we'll see a larger scale pattern change from strong weather systems with oscillating snow levels to a cooler and snowier pattern. The Pacific upper level ridge that has been flattened and positioned just off the US West Coast will begin to retrograde mid-week and amplify as it moves further offshore. Over our region, a broad upper level trough with NW flow aloft should deliver quick moving systems and/or orographic showers at cold temperatures for consistent snowfall at least through the end of the week.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 4500' | 2500' - 4500' | 3000' - 5000' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | 2000' - 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 2000' - 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 5, 2020
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