Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Sunday & Thursday
A major storm arrived in the Pacific Northwest with a cold front barreling through the region in the early morning hours. The cold front has brought a line of intense convection and that has spawned a bow-echo activity as a strong 50-60 mph barrier jet switches rapidly westerly behind the cold front and surge through the Straight of Juan de Fuca. Expect several hours of intense snowfall with the frontal passage across the Cascades early Sunday morning before WSW brings convective showers that should lead to variable rates of snowfall and rapidly changing conditions over short time scales in the mountains. The cold front should also bring rapid cooling during the morning hours, mainly for the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics. Snowfall should ramp up once again in the afternoon and evening hours as the detached and vertically stacked upper/surface low-pressure center moves across northern Washington State. Widespread areas should see strong W or WSW winds above 4000 ft as the low-pressure moves across the region.
Models suggest convergence banding will be likely from the Mountain Loop to Stevens Pass areas Sunday night into early Monday. However, by Monday morning, without the upper-level support, precipitation dies down quickly and reduces to flurries by the afternoon. By Monday morning, gradually lowering snow levels should bring snowfall down to the Cascades foothills. Winds gradually ease late Sunday night through Monday.
Overall, this could be a significant and widespread wind event, particularly late Sunday afternoon and evening. We also expect 1-2 feet of snowfall across widespread areas of the Cascades by Monday morning.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Sunday | Moderate convective snow showers. Rapid cooling early in the day. Increasing moderate 5000 ft winds becoming moderate to strong in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Sunday | Heavy snow and moderate to strong 5000 ft winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Sunday | Moderate to heavy snow. Strong crest-level winds in the north; very strong crest-level winds in the central and south Cascades. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Sunday | Moderate to heavy snow becoming more convective from mid-morning onwards. Very strong crest-level winds, strong 5000 ft winds, and light E flow through the Passes early quickly switching W and increasing into the moderate range. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Sunday | Heavy snow at Paradise with moderate to heavy snow at White Pass and moderate snow at Crystal. Very strong alpine winds. Rapid cooling in the morning hours. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday | Heavy snow. Rapid cooling in the morning hours. |
Issued: 7:12 AM PST Sunday, February 23, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' |
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1000' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | 500' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 1000' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday 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
| Sunday | Sunday Night | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 | 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 | 1.00 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Paradise | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 1.00 |
| Sunday Night | 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 0.75 |
| Sunday Night | 1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 0.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 1.00 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
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: 7:12 AM PST Sunday, February 23, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Evening | W 35 - 45 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 30 - 40 | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | W 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Evening | W 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Evening | W 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Evening | W 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Monday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 35 - 50 |
| Sunday Evening | W 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 45 - 65 | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 55 | W 40 - 50 | W 50 - 70 | W 45 - 65 | W 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 | W 40 - 55 | W 40 - 60 | W 45 - 65 | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Night | W 25 - 35 | W 40 - 50 | W 40 - 55 | W 40 - 55 | WNW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Morning | W 25 - 35 | WNW 30 - 40 | WNW 50 - 70 | WNW 40 - 60 | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Monday Afternoon | WNW 30 - 40 | WNW 30 - 40 | WNW 45 - 65 | WNW 40 - 60 | NW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 55 |
| Sunday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Sunday Evening | W 40 - 55 |
| Sunday Night | W 40 - 50 |
| Monday Morning | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 50 - 70 |
| Sunday Evening | W 40 - 60 |
| Sunday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Monday Morning | WNW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Afternoon | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Evening | W 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Monday Morning | WNW 40 - 60 |
| Monday Afternoon | WNW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Evening | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Sunday Night | WNW 50 - 70 |
| Monday Morning | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Monday Afternoon | NW 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Feb 22, 2020
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