Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
Two separate weather systems will impact the Northwest over the short-term period maintaining wet and breezy conditions in the mountains. You could experience a brief break in the action Sunday afternoon/early evening. This may be your best chance to see a few periods of blue sky, but any break looks shortlived.
Weather models struggled the last few days to predict how a series of shortwave disturbances would impact the mountains. In general, conditions were much drier than anticipated. Due to this recent trend, there's a bit of uncertainty in the immediate short-term forecast. The last of these disturbances will move through the region Saturday night bringing another opportunity for rain and snow showers to the mountains. The best chance of meaningful precipitation looks centered around the volcanoes where the large mountains can capture and ring-out additional moisture. Anticipate showers, with moderate to occasionally strong winds in most areas. Rain and snow could linger around locations west of the Cascade crest Sunday morning, before a brief break later in the afternoon.
The bigger story in the short-term forecast comes with a well-developed low-pressure system dropping down the coast of British Columbia Sunday night and Monday. This storm will combine with a strong westerly jet-stream to focus several rounds of snow at the mountains. The system draws in cooler air and sends snow levels on a downward slide to around 2500' by late Sunday night. Precipitation seems to spill over the mountains Monday morning, bringing a period of consistent rain and snow to areas further east. Precipitation could be heavy at times as the brunt of the storm swings over the area.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Saturday Night | Cloudy with light rain and snow showers. Moderate southwesterly winds. |
| Sunday | Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Periods of sunshine in the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Saturday Night | Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow. Strong southerly winds decreasing slightly overnight. |
| Sunday | Cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow showers. Moderate southerly winds. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Saturday Night | Mostly cloudy to cloudy with rain and snow showers particularly near Washington Pass and the Cascade Crest. Light to moderate southwesterly winds. |
| Sunday | Mostly cloudy to cloudy with rain and snow showers particularly near Washington Pass and the Cascade Crest. Sun breaks in the afternoon. Light to moderate southwesterly winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Saturday Night | Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Light and variable pass-level winds. |
| Sunday | Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Sun breaks possible in the afternoon. Light westerly pass-level winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Saturday Night | Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Heaviest near the volcanoes. |
| Sunday | Cloudy to mostly cloudy with rain and snow showers. Heaviest near the volcanoes. Sun breaks possible, especially in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Saturday Night | Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Moderate southerly winds. |
| Sunday | Cloudy with rain and snow showers. Moderate southwesterly winds. |
Issued: 1:57 PM PDT Saturday, March 28, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level | 4500' | 3500' | 4500' | 5000' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4000' |
| Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level * | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level * | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
* 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
| Saturday Night | Saturday | Saturday Night | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Saturday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.75 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.75 -1.00 |
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: 1:57 PM PDT Saturday, March 28, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 10 - 20 | S 20 - 30 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | SW 10 - 20 | S 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | S 15 - 25 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | SSW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | SW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Saturday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
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: 1:57 PM PDT Saturday, March 28, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
The low-pressure system responsible for the rain and snow Monday stalls out near the British Columbia coastline and becomes the dominant feature in our long-term forecast. The low continues to draw moisture off the Pacific and spin bands of showers into the Northwest. This should create periods of concentrated rain and snow, with short-lived breaks in between. As the low slowly meanders inland Tuesday night and Wednesday, it loses its ability to keep the faucet flowing, shower activity decreases, and conditions slowly begin to dry.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3500' | |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 2000' | 1000' - 2500' | 1000' - 3000' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2500' | 1000' - 2500' | 1500' - 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 2000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 3000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3000' |
* 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 27, 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.