Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Monday
An extended period of high pressure continues. There are subtle changes as the forecast period progresses, but by far the largest changes are diurnal (day to night). Moderate temperature inversions form each night with calm winds and mostly clear skies, making the coldest overnight temperatures (in the 20s) below 4000 ft. The inversions generally mix out by 10 or 11 AM each morning and with dry air and ample sunshine, this change can occur quite rapidly.
An upper-level ridge continues moving into the region from the NW, bringing warmer sinking air aloft to the region Wednesday night through Thursday. A closed low pressure drops southward offshore and bypasses the region. We're expecting very minimal cloud cover associated with it, but it should switch low-level winds to light easterly for Thursday and Thursday night before it exits the sphere of influence. Some scattered afternoon cumulus clouds are possible Thursday and Friday afternoons. There should be a very subtle overall temperature increase over the time period. Subtle shifts in flow direction and speed will influence the strength and depth of overnight inversions.
Freezing levels should remain above normal for this time of year in the 4000-6000 ft range with little difference N-S or E-W.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear and mild above 4000 ft with a moderate inversion developing below 4000 ft. |
| Thursday | Mostly sunny in the morning with the inversion mixing out by mid-morning. A few clouds in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear and mild above 4000 ft with a moderate inversion developing below 4000 ft. |
| Thursday | Mostly sunny in the morning with the inversion mixing out by mid-morning. A few clouds in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear and mild above 4000 ft with a moderate inversion developing below 4000 ft. |
| Thursday | Mostly sunny in the morning with the inversion mixing out by mid-morning. A few clouds in the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear and mild above 4000 ft with a moderate inversion developing below 4000 ft. |
| Thursday | Mostly sunny in the morning with the inversion mixing out by mid-morning. A few clouds in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear and mild above 4000 ft with a moderate inversion developing below 4000 ft. |
| Thursday | Mostly sunny in the morning with the inversion mixing out by mid-morning. A few clouds in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | Mostly clear and mild above 4000 ft with a moderate inversion developing below 4000 ft. |
| Thursday | Mostly sunny in the morning with the inversion mixing out by mid-morning. A few clouds in the afternoon. |
Issued: 1:25 PM PDT Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | Freezing Level | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Night | Freezing Level | 5500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' |
| Thursday Morning | Freezing Level * | 5000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 5500' |
| Thursday Evening | Freezing Level * | 5500' | 6000' | 5500' | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' |
| Thursday Night | Freezing Level * | 5500' | 5000' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' |
| Friday Morning | Freezing Level | 5500' | 5000' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Freezing Level | 5500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 5000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Freezing Level 5500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6500' |
* 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 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 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Monday | 0 |
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: 1:25 PM PDT Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | E 0 - 10 | NE 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | NW 0 - 10 | NNW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 | ESE 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 0 - 10 | ESE 0 - 10 | ESE 0 - 10 | SE 0 - 10 | E 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 0 - 10 | SSE 0 - 10 | ESE 0 - 10 | SE 0 - 10 | E 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | E 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NNW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | E 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | E 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | ESE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | E 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NNW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | E 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
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 Evening | N 5 - 15 | NNW 0 - 10 | NNW 5 - 15 | NNE 5 - 15 | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 | NW 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | NE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | SSE 0 - 10 | E 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 | WSW 0 - 10 | SW 5 - 15 | SSE 5 - 15 | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | N 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NNW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NNW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NNE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | SSE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | NE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 5 - 15 |
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: 1:25 PM PDT Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Monday night through Monday
Friday night features more clear, mild, calm high-pressure conditions. On Saturday, the region starts to be influenced by a disturbance dropping SE along the spine of the Canadian Rockies. This should bring light NW flow aloft, partial cloud cover to the mountains of Washington State and a slight chance of rain or snow showers for the west slopes of the Washington Cascades and Olympics. Expect more widespread cloud cover on Sunday as a stronger closed low approaches the region, moving down the British Columbia coastline. Freezing levels should remain above normal for this time of year in the 4000-6000 ft range with Mt. Hood a bit warmer than points further north.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Freezing Level | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 6000' | 6000' - 7000' | |
| Saturday | Freezing Level | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 5500' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Saturday Night | Freezing Level | 4500' - 5500' | 4500' - 5500' | 5000' - 6000' | |
| Sunday | Freezing Level | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Saturday |
Freezing Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' - 6000' |
| Saturday |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' - 5500' |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Freezing Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Saturday |
Freezing Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Saturday Night |
Freezing Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 4500' - 6000' |
* 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 Mar 18, 2020
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