Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Saturday
Due to reduced staffing, we will only issue the mountain weather forecast once-a-day at 2 pm for the remainder of the season.
We're entering a bit of an active weather pattern in the mountains for the next several days. A series of fronts will pass over the Pacific Northwest and bring mountain snow to most of our forecast area. The first of these fronts increases shower activity Thursday night and Friday as onshore winds push moisture up onto the Cascades and ring out a few inches of snow. This initial round of precipitation doesn't appear that impressive, and most of the activity focuses on the volcanoes and passes. Snow levels will start out relatively low (~2500') for most locations but will slowly creep up Friday, bringing the chance of mixed precipitation to some trailheads and pass-levels.
A weak trough in the upper atmosphere, on shore-flow, and high relative humidity will maintain shower activity in the mountains Friday night and Saturday. After a minor dip in the snow levels overnight, we should continue to see temperatures crawl upward Saturday. Another front approaches the region late in the afternoon, causing more widespread precipitation. This second round of activity seems to pack more of a punch, and you could find more rain and snow showers making their way east of the crest.
While no single 12-hour block appears excessively wet and snowy, locations like Mt Baker, Mt Rainier, Steven Pass, and Snoqualmie Pass could accumulate an inch or more of precipitation in the next 48 hours.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday Night | Cloudy with isolated showers. |
| Friday | Cloudy with isolated showers. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday Night | Cloudy with isolated showers, particularly near the Cascade Crest. Light westerly winds. |
| Friday | Mostly cloudy with isolated showers, particularly near the Cascade Crest. Light westerly winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Snow at pass levels. Light westerly pass winds. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Snow at pass levels with possibility of mixed precipitation in the afternoon. Light westerly pass winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Heaviest near the volcanoes. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Heaviest near the volcanoes. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday Night | Cloudy with isolated showers. |
| Friday | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. |
Issued: 1:52 PM PDT Thursday, March 26, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 3500' |
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 5000' | 5000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
* 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
| Thursday Night | Saturday | Saturday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
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: 1:52 PM PDT Thursday, March 26, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WNW 15 - 25 | WNW 15 - 25 | NW 30 - 40 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | NW 20 - 30 | NW 15 - 25 | NW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | NW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | NW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | NW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | NW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | NW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | NW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | NW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | NW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | NW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
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: 1:52 PM PDT Thursday, March 26, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
The active weather pattern continues into the extended forecast, with rain and snow in the mountains as snow levels hover between 3000 and 4000 feet. A weak system arriving late Saturday afternoon should push a more concentrated round of showers across most locations overnight and into Sunday. As this front exits, many areas may experience a bit of a break in the action, and could even see a few patches of blue sky. This hiatus looks short-lived. A stronger, more developed low-pressure approach the region Sunday night into Monday. Currently, weather models disagree with the path of this storm and its impacts on our area. We'll have to see how this shapes out the next few days.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (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 Mar 25, 2020
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.