Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Saturday
Damp might be a good word to describe the short-term forecast for the mountains. A series of weak storms will keep rain and snow showers ongoing for many locations this weekend. The first of these short-wave systems sweeps over the Cascades Friday night. It will drag with it a brief period of more consolidated shower activity, especially for the southern Washington Cascades. As this small disturbance exits, a second, slightly stronger one arrives quickly on its heels. This next round of precipitation spreads rain and snow from north to south Saturday night, with a focus on the volcanoes. As it does so, we'll see our best chance for significant showers to spill over the Cascades to areas further east. Precipitation lingers Sunday, as southwesterly winds push rain and snow showers up onto the mountains throughout the day. Sunday afternoon could be your best chance at catching a glimpse of blue skies, but don't hold your breath. Any breaks in the clouds appear short-lived.
While snow levels start out relatively modest (3500-4000') for most locations, look for a slight warming trend through Saturday afternoon. The rain-snow line will slowly creep up the hillsides with mixed precipitation, and even some rain, at several trailhead locations. Though temperatures are warming, this isn't a hot air-mass, and snow levels top-out and hover around 4500' +/- for the remainder of the short-term.
Even though no single weather system over the next 48-hrs looks overly impressive, several locations could see their storm totals start to add up. Places like Mt Baker, Paradise, Mt Hood, Stevens Pass, and Snoqualmie Pass could receive an inch or more of water by Sunday afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Friday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Southwest winds increasing. |
| Saturday | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Light to moderate southwest winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Friday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Southwest winds increasing. |
| Saturday | Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Winds becoming southerly and increasing. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Friday Night | Cloudy to mostly cloudy. Isolated showers, especially near the crest. Light westerly winds. |
| Saturday | Cloudy with scattered showers. Light westerly winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Light westerly pass-level winds. |
| Saturday | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Light westerly pass-level winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Friday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers, especially near the volcanoes. |
| Saturday | Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Heaviest showers near the volcanoes. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Moderate westerly winds. |
| Saturday | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Moderate westerly winds becoming southwesterly and decreasing slightly. |
Issued: 1:44 PM PDT Friday, March 27, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 5000' | 5000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' |
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday 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
| Friday 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 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.75 | 0.50 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 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: 1:44 PM PDT Friday, March 27, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | S 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | S 20 - 30 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 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.
Issued: 1:44 PM PDT Friday, March 27, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
The wet pattern continues into the long term forecast. A stronger and more developed low-pressure storm system appears poised to slide down the coast of British Columbia Sunday night through Tuesday. As it does so, it will spin wave after wave of moisture into the Northwest and draw in cooler air to lower snow levels. The weather models disagree a bit about the exact position of the storm and this could affect how much precipitation we see. However, the start to next week generally looks snowy in the mountains.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3500' | 2500' - 4000' | 3000' - 4500' | |
| Monday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | * |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 2000' | 1000' - 2500' | 2000' - 3500' | * |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4000' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4500' |
| Monday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' |
* 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 26, 2020
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