Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Thursday
A very active weather pattern continues. In the wake of Sunday morning's frontal system, moderate westerly winds continue to provide enough instability and moisture for accumulating rain and snow. These rain and snow showers should decrease overnight as the atmosphere stabilizes ahead of our next system, a strengthening and deep low moving northward offshore toward the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The strong leading warm front moving northward over Oregon should bring a rapid rise in snow levels and rapidly increasing winds to the Mt. Hood area.
The warm front will cross the NWAC forecast region from south to north during the day on Monday, bringing a period of moderate to strong ESE winds shifting more S or SSW behind the front, along with a period of moderate to heavy rain/snow. As the front lifts northward, the precipitation should cut off, but 4-6" of snowfall are possible for many areas above 4000 ft before a shift to rain in most areas (except the highest elevations). The precipitation exits north into Canada by late Monday evening. The warm sector of the storm remains over the region with mostly cloudy and very mild conditions into Tuesday morning, with snow levels peaking at 8000 ft in the north and 11000 ft in the south.
The associated cold front comes barreling into the region mid-Tuesday morning, with moderate to strong southerly winds, particularly in areas exposed to this wind direction, such as the Mt. Baker area and Olympics. Expect 0.25-0.75" of rain, turning to rain and snow behind the front on Tuesday afternoon as snow levels lower.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
Sunday Night | Isolated light rain and snow showers in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Light to moderate winds becoming light. |
Monday | Light rain and snow, becoming moderate to occasionally heavy in the afternoon. Rising snow levels. Light to moderate 5000 ft winds becoming strong in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
Sunday Night | Decreasing light rain and snow showers in the evening, ending by midnight, then cloudy conditions after midnight. Light to moderate winds early, becoming light. |
Monday | Light rain and snow developing in the late morning and becoming moderate in the afternoon. Rising snow levels. Light 5000 ft winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Sunday Night | Decreasing light rain and snow showers near the Cascade Crest in the evening, ending by midnight, then cloudy conditions after midnight. Light to moderate winds early, becoming light. |
Monday | Light rain and snow developing in the late morning and becoming moderate in the afternoon. Rising snow levels. Light 5000 ft winds becoming moderate to strong in the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Sunday Night | Decreasing light rain and snow showers; a mix of rain and snow at Snoqualmie Pass level and generally snow at Stevens Pass level. Moderate 5000 ft winds early, becoming light. Light W pass-level winds shifting to light E winds in the early morning hours. |
Monday | Light rain and snow increasing during the morning hours and becoming moderate in the early afternoon before decreasing late in the day. Rising snow levels should keep Snoqualmie Pass mainly rain with mostly snow or a mix at Stevens Pass level. Light 5000 ft winds becoming moderate to strong in the afternoon. Light pass-level E winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Sunday Night | Decreasing moderate rain and snow showers at Paradise; decreasing light rain and snow showers at Crystal and White Pass. Light 5000 ft winds becoming moderate to strong. |
Monday | Light rain and snow early becoming moderate to heavy in the middle of the day and becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Rising snow levels. Light Light 5000 ft winds becoming moderate to strong in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
Sunday Night | Very light snow showers in the evening, with increasing light snow in the early morning hours becoming moderate by morning. Very rapidly rising snow levels. Light to moderate 5000 ft winds becoming moderate to strong. |
Monday | Moderate rain and snow in the morning becoming light and decreasing in the afternoon. Very high snow levels rising slightly more. Strong 5000 ft winds becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
Issued: 2:17 PM PST Sunday, November 15, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday Evening | Snow Level | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' |
Sunday Night | Snow Level * | 3500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 5000' |
Monday Morning | Snow Level * | 4000' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' | 6500' |
Monday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' | 4500' | 8500' |
Monday Evening | Snow Level * | 8500' | 5000' | 3500' | 5500' | 5500' | 8000' | 9000' | 10000' |
Monday Night | Snow Level * | 9500' | 8500' | 6500' | 9000' | 8500' | 9500' | 10000' | 11000' |
Tuesday Morning | Snow Level * | 9000' | 9500' | 8000' | 9000' | 9500' | 10500' | 10000' | 10500' |
Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' | 6000' | 5500' | 6000' | 5500' | 6500' |
Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Evening |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Night |
Snow Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Mt. Baker | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Night |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Washington Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Leavenworth | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Night |
Snow Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Stevens Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Night |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Evening |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Night |
Snow Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 10500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Evening |
Snow Level 9000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Night |
Snow Level 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Mt. Hood | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Evening |
Snow Level 10000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Monday Night |
Snow Level 11000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 10500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' (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.
Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night | Thursday | Thursday Night | Thursday | |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 1.00 | 0.50 |
Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
Stevens Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 | LT 0.25 |
Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | 5.00 - 6.00 | 0 | 0.50 |
Paradise | 0.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 |
White Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 | 0.25 |
Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | 0.50 | 0 | 0.50 |
Timberline | 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0.50 |
Thursday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday Night | 1.00 |
Thursday | 0.50 |
Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday | LT 0.25 |
Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0.25 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | LT 0.10 |
Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | LT 0.25 |
Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | LT 0.25 |
Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday Night | 0 |
Thursday | LT 0.25 |
Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday Night | 0 |
Thursday | LT 0.10 |
Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 5.00 - 6.00 |
Thursday Night | 0 |
Thursday | 0.50 |
Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | 0.50 |
Thursday | 0.75 -1.00 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0.75 |
White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday Night | 0 |
Thursday | 0.25 |
Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | 0.50 |
Thursday Night | 0 |
Thursday | 0.50 |
Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Sunday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
Thursday Night | 0 |
Thursday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
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: 2:17 PM PST Sunday, November 15, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday Evening | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 |
Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 | S 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 | ESE 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 | ESE 10 - 20 | SSW 30 - 45 |
Monday Afternoon | SSE 30 - 40 | ESE 20 - 30 | ESE 25 - 35 | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 20 - 30 |
Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
Monday Afternoon | SSE 30 - 40 |
Mt. Baker | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
Monday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
Monday Afternoon | ESE 25 - 35 |
Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Sunday Night | S 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
Monday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
Mt. Hood | Elevation |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 |
Monday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
Monday Afternoon | SSE 30 - 40 |
Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
Monday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
Monday Afternoon | ESE 25 - 35 |
Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Sunday Night | S 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
Monday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
Sunday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
Monday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 |
Monday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
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 Evening | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 |
Sunday Night | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 35 - 50 |
Monday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 45 | WSW 35 - 50 |
Monday Afternoon | SSW 40 - 60 | SSW 30 - 40 | SW 45 - 65 | SW 40 - 55 | WSW 35 - 50 |
Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
Sunday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
Monday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
Monday Afternoon | SSW 40 - 60 |
Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
Sunday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
Monday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
Monday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 40 |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
Sunday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
Monday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
Monday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
Sunday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
Monday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
Monday Afternoon | SW 40 - 55 |
Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Sunday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
Sunday Night | WSW 35 - 50 |
Monday Morning | WSW 35 - 50 |
Monday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 50 |
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: 2:17 PM PST Sunday, November 15, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
Snow should return to some ski area bases Tuesday night as a moist active SW flow continues and the broad offshore trough gradually moves in to the region through Wednesday and Wednesday night. Models indicate a more organized wave of precipitation moving through the region Wednesday morning with some heavier precipitation. The trough should be centered over the region Thursday through Friday with decreasing generally light to occasionally moderate instability showers on a westerly flow.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | 4500' - 5500' | |
Wednesday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | |
Thursday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' |
Mt. Baker | Elevation |
---|---|
Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
Wednesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
Thursday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
Wednesday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
Thursday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
Mt. Hood | Elevation |
---|---|
Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' |
Wednesday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
Thursday |
Snow Level 2000' - 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 Nov 14, 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.