Issued: 6:35 AM PST Tuesday, December 8, 2020
by Dallas Glass

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k

Weather Synopsis for Tuesday & Wednesday

Tuesday looks warm and rainy in many locations across the forecast area. Nearly all of our weather stations report above freezing temperatures this morning, with several spots in the mid and even upper 40s. Light to moderate rain should spread further southward as a slow-moving warm front finally meanders its way across and out of the area. The bulk of the precipitation during the day should stay north of Mt Rainier and west of the Cascade crest. A break in the rain appears short-lived this afternoon as a trailing cold-front swings from NW to SE. Don't let the word "cold" get you too excited. While snowlevels will drop slightly with this second round of precipitation, many areas will continue to see mostly rain. Only the highest peaks and locations closest to the Canadian border should expect any snow on Tuesday. Showers overnight will reach nearly all trailheads, including those lucky few locations that missed out on rain during the day. 

Expect shower activity to taper off Wednesday morning as colder temperatures finally return to the Olympics and Cascades. Sufficient low-level moisture and westerly winds could ring out a few snowflakes along the west slopes of the Cascades and put a dusting of snow in the trees Wednesday. 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Mt. Baker
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Mt. Hood

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Tuesday Morning Snow Level * 8000' 7500' 8500' 8500' 8500' 8500' 9000' 11000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level * 6000' 5500' 7000' 8000' 8000' 8000' 8500' 10000'
Tuesday Evening Snow Level * 5000' 4500' 6000' 7000' 7500' 7500' 7500' 8000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level 4000' 4000' 5000' 5000' 4500' 4500' 5500' 6500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 3500' 4000' 5000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Washington Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
8500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Leavenworth Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
8500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
8500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
8500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
4500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
9000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
8500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
7500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
5500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
11000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
10000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
8000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
6500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
5000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'

* 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

Tuesday Tuesday Night Wednesday
4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 0
Mt Baker Ski Area 1.00 0.25 LT 0.25
Washington Pass 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Leavenworth LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0
Stevens Pass 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Paradise 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 LT 0.10
White Pass LT 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0.25 LT 0.10
0 0.25 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday 1.00
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday 0.50
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday 0.50
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night LT 0.25
Wednesday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday LT 0.10
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday 0.25 - 0.50
Tuesday Night 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday LT 0.25
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday 0
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.10

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Tuesday Morning W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 W 20 - 30 WSW 15 - 25 W 15 - 25
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 0 - 10 WNW 5 - 15 WSW 10 - 20 WSW 5 - 15 W 10 - 20
Tuesday Evening W 5 - 15 VAR 0 - 10 W 5 - 15 SW 5 - 15 W 15 - 25
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 WNW 15 - 25 WNW 15 - 25 WNW 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning W 10 - 20 WSW 5 - 15 W 10 - 20 W 10 - 20 WNW 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Tuesday Morning W 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 0 - 10
Tuesday Evening W 5 - 15
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Wednesday Morning W 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon NW 5 - 15
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Morning W 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 5 - 15
Tuesday Evening VAR 0 - 10
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Wednesday Morning WSW 5 - 15
Wednesday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Morning W 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 10 - 20
Tuesday Evening W 5 - 15
Tuesday Night WNW 15 - 25
Wednesday Morning W 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Tuesday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 5 - 15
Tuesday Evening SW 5 - 15
Tuesday Night WNW 15 - 25
Wednesday Morning W 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Morning W 15 - 25
Tuesday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Tuesday Evening W 15 - 25
Tuesday Night WNW 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning WNW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning W 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 0 - 10
Tuesday Evening W 5 - 15
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Wednesday Morning W 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon NW 5 - 15
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning W 10 - 20
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 5 - 15
Tuesday Evening VAR 0 - 10
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Wednesday Morning WSW 5 - 15
Wednesday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning W 20 - 30
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 10 - 20
Tuesday Evening W 5 - 15
Tuesday Night WNW 15 - 25
Wednesday Morning W 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 5 - 15
Tuesday Evening SW 5 - 15
Tuesday Night WNW 15 - 25
Wednesday Morning W 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning W 15 - 25
Tuesday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Tuesday Evening W 15 - 25
Tuesday Night WNW 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning WNW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 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
Tuesday Morning WSW 35 - 45 W 40 - 55 W 45 - 60 W 45 - 60 WSW 40 - 55
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40 WSW 30 - 40 WSW 35 - 45 W 30 - 40 WSW 40 - 55
Tuesday Evening WSW 15 - 25 WSW 15 - 25 WSW 30 - 40 WSW 30 - 40 WSW 40 - 55
Tuesday Night WNW 25 - 35 WNW 20 - 30 WNW 30 - 40 WNW 30 - 40 W 40 - 55
Wednesday Morning WNW 20 - 30 WNW 25 - 35 WNW 30 - 40 WNW 30 - 40 WNW 35 - 45
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning WSW 35 - 45
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Evening WSW 15 - 25
Tuesday Night WNW 25 - 35
Wednesday Morning WNW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 15 - 25
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning W 40 - 55
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Evening WSW 15 - 25
Tuesday Night WNW 20 - 30
Wednesday Morning WNW 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning W 45 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 35 - 45
Tuesday Evening WSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Night WNW 30 - 40
Wednesday Morning WNW 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon WNW 30 - 40
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning W 45 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon W 30 - 40
Tuesday Evening WSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Night WNW 30 - 40
Wednesday Morning WNW 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon NW 35 - 45
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Tuesday Morning WSW 40 - 55
Tuesday Afternoon WSW 40 - 55
Tuesday Evening WSW 40 - 55
Tuesday Night W 40 - 55
Wednesday Morning WNW 35 - 45
Wednesday Afternoon NW 35 - 45

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.

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k

Previous forecast from Dec 7, 2020

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