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 & Sunday
PM update 5000 ft free-air winds have been increased for the central Cascades this afternoon, particularly the Crystal/Paradise area.
A upper level low hanging around offshore continues to rotate upper level shortwaves through the area in southerly flow aloft. A partial clearing trend should take place this afternoon as most of the area will be between shortwaves, with the clearing most pronounced west of the Cascade crest. Low level easterly flow should maintain cloud cover over the east slopes and Cascade Passes along with some light rain or snow. There should be a gradual warming trend this afternoon.
The upper level low will slowly dig SE overnight and the PNW will be left in no-man's land regarding upper level flow and forcing as the jet stream is well south and directed into the Baja Peninsula. A few mountain showers are possible Thursday afternoon with a weakly unstable air mass overhead.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Mostly clear. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Partly cloudy with a chance of a light rain or snow shower Thursday afternoon. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Afternoon - Thursday Morning |
Partly to mostly clear, except mostly cloudy near the Cascade Passes. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of a light rain or snow shower Thursday afternoon. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday |
Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain or snow showers. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Partly cloudy with a chance of a light rain or snow shower Thursday afternoon. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday |
Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow, possible sunbreaks mid-day. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Mostly cloudy. |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Partly cloudy with a chance of a light rain or snow shower Thursday afternoon. |
Issued: 2:29 PM PST Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 5500' | 5500' | 4000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 4000' | 3500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 3500' | 3000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 3500' |
| Thursday Night | Freezing Level * | 3500' | 2500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' (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 | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
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: 2:29 PM PST Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SE 0 - 10 | SE 0 - 10 | ESE 15 - 25 | --- - | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | --- - | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | VAR 0 - 10 | NNE 0 - 10 | NW 0 - 10 | --- - | NW 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NNE 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NNE 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Evening | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
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 Afternoon | SE 0 - 10 | SE 0 - 10 | SE 10 - 20 | --- - | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | N 0 - 10 | N 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | --- - | NW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NNW 0 - 10 | NNW 0 - 10 | NW 5 - 15 | --- - | NW 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | N 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NNW 0 - 10 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | N 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NNW 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday - Thursday Night | NW 0 - 10 |
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: 2:29 PM PST Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
Friday should be a feature a clearing trend in the afternoon. Colder air from the interior of Canada and interior West should slowly work it's way eastward as offshore pressure gradients increase. A weak weather system approaching from the west will begin to split and slide south toward the Oregon/California border late Friday night.
Currently, the GFS model has light rain and snow spreading over the Mt. Hood area Saturday. Models disagree how far north this light precipitation may reach into the Washington Cascades Saturday and Saturday night. On Sunday, light NW flow aloft will keep mostly cloudy skies and the chance of showers in the forecast.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Mostly clear, except partly cloudy east slopes. Increasing clouds late Friday night Mt. Hood area.
Light rain and snow Mt. Hood area. Becoming mostly cloudy south Washington Cascades and partly cloudy north Washington Cascades and Olympics.
Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain and snow mainly south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood.
Mostly cloudy with isolated rain and snow showers.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 3500' | * |
| Saturday - Sunday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday - Sunday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday - Sunday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday - Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday - 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 Jan 6, 2016
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.