Issued: 7:09 AM PST Wednesday, January 29, 2020
by Dennis D'Amico

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k

Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Wednesday

A quick moving frontal system will pass through the Cascasdes early this morning. Radar shows the precipitation shield quickly moving inland this morning. The heaviest precipitation is expected for the Washington volcanoes. Winds should be a notch stronger than they looked yesterday across the board both pre and post front. Cool easterly flow should drag snow levels down to 3000' for the major Cascade Passes before snow levels bump up to 4000-4500' in the afternoon.

An upper level ridge will quickly build over the area tonight helping to shut down shower activity quickly. Strong downslope westerlies should continue along the east slopes of the Cascades through Thursday morning. 

A warm front will be slow to spread precipitation over the area tomorrow, only reaching the Olympics and north Cascades by sunset. However, warmer air will begin to flood the region during the day. Another round of cool easterly flow in the Passes should create temperature inversions and multiple freezing levels. There should be a window of sunshine in the morning for most areas tomorrow, especially Mt. Hood before high clouds overspread the region by mid-day.  

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Mt. Baker
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Mt. Hood

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Wednesday Morning Snow Level * 4500' 3500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 4000' 5000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level 5000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4500' 6500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level 5000' 3500' 3500' 4500' 4000' 4500' 4500' 5500'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level 4500' 3000' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 6000'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level * 5500' 4500' 4500' 5500' 6000' 6500' 6500' 8000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
4500'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
3000'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
2500'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
3000'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
3000'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
3000'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
3500'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
6000'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
8500'
(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.

Precipitation Forecast

Wednesday Wednesday Night Wednesday
4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 1.00 - 1.50 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0 0
Leavenworth LT 0.25 0 0
Stevens Pass 0.50 LT 0.10 0
Snoqualmie Pass 0.75 LT 0.25 0
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 0 0
Crystal Mt 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0
Paradise 0.75 -1.00 LT 0.10 0
White Pass 0.50 LT 0.10 0
Mt Hood Meadows 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25 0
0.75 LT 0.25 0
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.75
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0
Wednesday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.75 -1.00
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Wednesday 0
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.75
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Wednesday Morning S 30 - 40 S 25 - 35 SE 10 - 20 SW 20 - 30 W 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25 SW 15 - 25 SW 20 - 30 SW 15 - 25 WSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Evening W 5 - 15 SW 5 - 15 W 15 - 25 W 5 - 15 W 15 - 25
Wednesday Night S 0 - 10 S 0 - 10 WNW 5 - 15 VAR 0 - 10 W 0 - 10
Thursday Morning S 5 - 15 S 0 - 10 VAR 0 - 10 SW 0 - 10 SW 0 - 10
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Morning S 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening W 5 - 15
Wednesday Night S 0 - 10
Thursday Morning S 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Morning S 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening SW 5 - 15
Wednesday Night S 0 - 10
Thursday Morning S 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning SE 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon SW 20 - 30
Wednesday Evening W 15 - 25
Wednesday Night WNW 5 - 15
Thursday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon S 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Wednesday Morning SW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening W 5 - 15
Wednesday Night VAR 0 - 10
Thursday Morning SW 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon S 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning W 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Evening W 15 - 25
Wednesday Night W 0 - 10
Thursday Morning SW 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning S 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening W 5 - 15
Wednesday Night S 0 - 10
Thursday Morning S 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning S 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening SW 5 - 15
Wednesday Night S 0 - 10
Thursday Morning S 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SE 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon SW 20 - 30
Wednesday Evening W 15 - 25
Wednesday Night WNW 5 - 15
Thursday Morning VAR 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon S 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening W 5 - 15
Wednesday Night VAR 0 - 10
Thursday Morning SW 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon S 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning W 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Evening W 15 - 25
Wednesday Night W 0 - 10
Thursday Morning SW 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon SW 10 - 20

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
Wednesday Morning SW 35 - 45 SW 30 - 40 SW 40 - 60 SW 40 - 50 W 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon SW 30 - 40 SW 40 - 50 W 40 - 50 W 30 - 40 W 40 - 50
Wednesday Evening W 25 - 35 WNW 35 - 45 NW 40 - 50 NW 30 - 40 WNW 30 - 40
Wednesday Night WNW 20 - 30 NW 25 - 35 NW 25 - 35 NW 20 - 30 N 20 - 30
Thursday Morning WSW 15 - 25 SW 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 VAR 5 - 15
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SW 35 - 45
Wednesday Afternoon SW 30 - 40
Wednesday Evening W 25 - 35
Wednesday Night WNW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon SW 40 - 50
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SW 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon SW 40 - 50
Wednesday Evening WNW 35 - 45
Wednesday Night NW 25 - 35
Thursday Morning SW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SW 35 - 45
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SW 40 - 60
Wednesday Afternoon W 40 - 50
Wednesday Evening NW 40 - 50
Wednesday Night NW 25 - 35
Thursday Morning W 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SW 35 - 45
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SW 40 - 50
Wednesday Afternoon W 30 - 40
Wednesday Evening NW 30 - 40
Wednesday Night NW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning W 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SW 30 - 40
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning W 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon W 40 - 50
Wednesday Evening WNW 30 - 40
Wednesday Night N 20 - 30
Thursday Morning VAR 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon SW 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.

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k

Previous forecast from Jan 28, 2020

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