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 Thursday
After a generally wet few days up in the mountains, we'll begin to see a slight shift in the weather Wednesday night through Thursday evening as precipitation very slowly decreases. A cool and wet trough should continue to spin rain and snow into the mountains Wednesday night with the heaviest precipitation focussed on the Cascade volcanoes. As the associated low-pressure shifts inland, there appears to be sufficient energy to increase precipitation in all locations with significant showers spilling over east of the Cascade crest. Expect snow at most trailheads as snowlevels remain below the passes.
By Thursday morning most places begin to see a decrease in shower activity as westerly winds refocus the remaining moisture on the volcanoes and in a weak convergence zone generally north of I90. A subtle ridge will approach the region late in the day and into the night. As the ridge slides north and east, look for the shower activity to gradually end from south to north. You're most likely to encounter rain and snow showers along the west-slopes of the Cascades from near Stevens Pass north.
A few isolated showers may linger in the northern half of the region into Friday morning, but most locations will see a dry day. Don't be surprised if you see some blue sky, particularly east of the Cascade crest and areas further south like Mt Hood, White Pass, and Crystal. The weak high-pressure ridge should allow for slight warming Friday afternoon as relatively warmer air seeps in from the Pacific. This break in the action appears to last into the first part of the weekend.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
Wednesday Night | Rain and snow showers particularly in the early evening, becoming more isolated overnight. Light to moderate westerly winds. |
Thursday | Isolated rain and snow showers. Cloudy. Light to moderate westerly winds. |
Mt. Baker
Wednesday Night | Rain and snow overnight. Light to moderate westerly winds increasing after midnight. |
Thursday | Rain and snow showers. Cloudy. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Wednesday Night | Rain and snow showers particularly after midnight. Light westerly winds. |
Thursday | Isolated rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Light to moderate westerly ridgetop winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Wednesday Night | Rain and snow showers. Light westerly winds at pass level. |
Thursday | Rain and snow showers, with a weak convergence zone primarily north of I90. Ligh westrely pass winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Wednesday Night | Rain and snow, heaviest near the volcanoes. Moderate to strong westerly winds ridgetop winds. |
Thursday | Rain and snow showers, heaviest near Mt Rainier. Moderate to strong westerly ridgetop winds. |
Mt. Hood
Wednesday Night | Rain and snow. Strong to very strong westerly winds. |
Thursday | Rain and snow showers. Strong westerly winds. |
Issued: 1:47 PM PST Wednesday, November 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 | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' |
Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' |
Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' |
Thursday Evening | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
Thursday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' |
Friday Morning | Snow Level * | 2500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' |
Friday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4000' |
Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Mt. Baker | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Washington Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Leavenworth | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Stevens Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Mt. Hood | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' |
Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (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
Wednesday Night | Thursday | Thursday Night | Thursday | |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
Washington Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
Paradise | 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0 |
White Pass | 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
Timberline | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | LT 0.25 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | LT 0.10 |
Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 1.00 |
Thursday | 0.25 |
Thursday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | LT 0.25 |
Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | LT 0.10 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
Thursday | LT 0.10 |
Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0 |
Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday | 0.25 |
Thursday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | LT 0.25 |
Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday | 0.25 |
Thursday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | LT 0.10 |
Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | LT 0.10 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0 |
Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | LT 0.25 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0 |
Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
Thursday | 0.50 |
Thursday Night | 0.25 |
Thursday | 0 |
White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
Thursday | 0.25 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
Thursday | 0 |
Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 0 |
Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
---|---|
Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
Thursday | 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: 1:47 PM PST Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | W 25 - 35 |
Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 25 - 35 |
Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 |
Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 |
Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
Mt. Baker | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Wednesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
Thursday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
Mt. Hood | Elevation |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
Thursday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Wednesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
Thursday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
Thursday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 | W 45 - 60 |
Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | W 40 - 55 |
Thursday Morning | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 30 - 40 | W 35 - 45 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 |
Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
Thursday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
Wednesday Night | W 25 - 35 |
Thursday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
Wednesday Night | W 30 - 40 |
Thursday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
Wednesday Night | W 30 - 40 |
Thursday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
---|---|
Wednesday Evening | W 45 - 60 |
Wednesday Night | W 40 - 55 |
Thursday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
Thursday Afternoon | W 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: 1:47 PM PST Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
Conditions look generally dry as we head into the weekend. Don't rule out an isolated shower near the Canadian border, particularly near Mt Baker, but that will be the exception rather than the rule. A weak high-pressure ridge sits over the region pushing any available moisture up into British Columbia. Look for a better chance of sunshine the further south and east you travel in the range.
An approaching storm system begins to bear down on the area by Sunday, spreading increasing clouds and eventually precipitation across the mountains. Weather models seem a bit uncertain about how much rain and snow we can expect with this system, however, snowlevels generally stay below the passes throughout the extended forecast period.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Friday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3500' | 2500' - 4000' | |
Saturday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | * |
Saturday Night | Snow Level | 2000' - 3500' | 2000' - 3500' | 2000' - 3500' | * |
Sunday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | * |
Mt. Baker | Elevation |
---|---|
Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
Saturday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
---|---|
Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' |
Saturday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
Mt. Hood | Elevation |
---|---|
Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4000' |
Saturday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
Sunday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (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 Nov 17, 2020
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