Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Wednesday
The warm-front responsible for Tuesday's rainy weather doesn't seem to be in any hurry to leave the Cascades. As a result, some of the precipitation expected during the daylight hours will fall in the evening. Look for rain to continue to spread south and east as the front slowly drifts out of the region. As it does so, an associated cold front follows close on its heels pushing showers across the Cascades and to locations further east. Unfortunately, nearly all of this precipitation should fall as rain except for on the very highest peaks and in a few locations near the Canadian border.
By Wednesday morning, you'll start to notice the colder temperatures, but by that point, most of the precipitation will have moved on. Lingering moisture from the recent storm and westerly winds should squeeze a few snow showers out of the atmosphere. Don't expect too much in the way of accumulation. Places like Mt Baker, the Passes, and Rainier could see an inch or two before the skies begin to clear. A weak high-pressure ridge shifts over the Northwest Wednesday night and Thursday allowing us to dry out ahead of a more active pattern as we move towards the weekend.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy. Light rain and snow becoming showers. Moderate westerly winds increasing. Cooling. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Isolated showers possible. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | Rain and high elevation snow. Cooling. |
| Wednesday | Rain and snow showers. Cloudy. Cooling. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy. Rain and snow showers. Cooling. Moderate westerly winds. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy becoming partly cloudy. Isolated showers. Cooling. Light westerly winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Rain and high elevation snow. Light easterly flow at Pass level ending overnight. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and snow showers. Cooling. Light westerly flow at Pass level. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Rain and high elevation snow. Moderate westerly winds increasing. |
| Wednesday | Cloudy. Rain and snow showers, heaviest near Mt Rainier. Cooling. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Cloudy. Rain and high elevation snow. Moderate to strong westerly winds. |
| Wednesday | Mostly cloudy. Isolated showers. Cooling. Moderate northwesterly winds decreasing. |
Issued: 1:38 PM PST Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level * | 5500' | 5000' | 6500' | 8000' | 8000' | 8000' | 8500' | 9500' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 4000' | 5000' | 5500' | 5000' | 5500' | 6000' | 7500' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 3000' | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | 4000' | 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening | Freezing Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' |
| Wednesday Night | Freezing Level * | 3500' | 2500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | Freezing Level * | 4500' | 3000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 4000' | 4000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4500' | 4000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 9500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Freezing Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing 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
| Tuesday Night | Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 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: 1:38 PM PST Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 5 - 15 | VAR 0 - 10 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | WNW 15 - 25 | WNW 15 - 25 | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | WNW 10 - 20 | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | WNW 10 - 20 | NW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 25 - 35 | WNW 20 - 30 | WNW 35 - 45 | WNW 25 - 35 | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 | WNW 20 - 30 | WNW 30 - 40 | WNW 30 - 40 | NW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 | NW 15 - 25 | NW 30 - 40 | NNW 20 - 30 | NNW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NNW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Night | W 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Morning | NW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NNW 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: 1:38 PM PST Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
Even though the storm Tuesday doesn't leave us with much in the way of new snow, it opens the door for a more active weather pattern. The first in a series of weather systems should arrive sometime Thursday night or early Friday. Weather models differ about the timing and strength of this system. However, it doesn't look particularly potent for us in the Olympics and Cascades. A second possibly stronger system could arrive over the weekend. As always, we'll have to wait and let the details sort out over the next few days.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 1000' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2500' - 3500' | * |
| Friday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2500' | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 2000' | 500' - 2000' | 1500' - 2500' | * |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 500' - 1500' | 1500' - 3000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3000' (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 Dec 8, 2020
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