Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Wednesday
A sharp trough approaches the Pacific Northwest Coastline on Thursday, bringing mid-level clouds to our region and gradually increasing southerly flow. With cold air in place east of the Cascade Crest, light to moderate E flow should keep the Cascade Passes cool on Thursday. Slightly milder air ahead of the trough should bring some warming to the west side of Mt. Hood and the Paradise area, but the warm-up is not expected to be significant.
Expect light to occasionally moderate snow (and some rain at lower elevations west of the Cascade Crest) to accompany a cold frontal passage as the trough pushes into the region during the evening hours with cooling behind the front changing all precipitation to snow. With the core of the trough lagging behind, the flow may remain weakly easterly at pass level.
Snow and snow shower activity should increasingly focus on the southern parts of the forecast region on Friday as the upper trough centers over the region, with stronger W flow into the Oregon Cascades. Temperatures should continue to cool.
Overall, Thursday night and Friday's system should bring around a foot of snow to Mt. Hood with 6-12" for Paradise and Baker, with lesser amounts elsewhere.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Thursday | Mid-level clouds lowering and thickening late in the day. Increasing light winds. |
Mt. Baker
| Thursday | Mid-level clouds lowering and thickening late in the day. Light winds in the morning becoming moderate. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Thursday | Mid-level clouds. Cool. Light to moderate alpine winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Thursday | Mid-level clouds lowering and thickening late in the day. Cool. E winds at 5000 ft and at pass level in the light to moderate range. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Thursday | Mid-level clouds lowering and thickening late in the day. E flow keeping White Pass and Crystal cooler than Paradise. Light 5000 ft winds with moderate winds in the alpine. |
Mt. Hood
| Thursday | Increasing mid-level clouds lowering and thickening late in the day with a chance of light rain or snow developing by dusk. Easterly low-level flow keeping E side of mountain cool with milder air on W side. Light winds at 5000 ft. |
Issued: 7:07 AM PST Thursday, December 10, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | Freezing Level * | 4000' | 1500' | 1000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 4500' | 4000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | 4000' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level * | 3000' | 2000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level * | 2500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
* 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
| Thursday | Thursday Night | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 0 | 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 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: 7:07 AM PST Thursday, December 10, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSE 5 - 15 | SE 5 - 15 | E 15 - 25 | E 5 - 15 | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 | SE 15 - 25 | E 10 - 20 | E 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 10 - 20 | S 15 - 25 | SE 0 - 10 | S 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 5 - 15 | SSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | SW 0 - 10 | SSW 0 - 10 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | WSW 0 - 10 | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | E 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | S 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 0 - 10 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | E 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | E 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Afternoon | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 | SSW 5 - 15 | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | S 10 - 20 | SW 0 - 10 | S 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 5 - 15 | WNW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 15 | WNW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 | WNW 0 - 10 | WNW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Dec 9, 2020
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