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 & Saturday
Afternoon update: Slight adjustments for the Day 1 and 2 precipitation forecasts and to the Mt. Hood 5000 ft winds.
Warm frontal precipitation has spread inland early this afternoon, extending from a low pressure system off the central British Columbia coast. The frontal band will become N-S oriented with heavier precipitation slowly moving inland late today. Increasing alpine winds and heavier precipitation should begin in the late afternoon for Mt. Hood and the south Washington Cascades and spread northward in the evening and overnight.
Snow levels will vary across the region with cool easterly flow keeping warmer air to the west at bay for most of the day for the Cascades and Mt. Hood and for the Cascade Passes for much of the Tuesday night. For the Cascade Passes, warmer air coming in from the S-SW may cause a few hours of mixed precipitation particularly for Snoqualmie and White Pass late tonight. A switch to westerlies early Wednesday morning should allow a pop-up to free-air snow levels for Snoqualmie and White Pass with rain at pass levels while Stevens may stay all snow.
The frontal system should split as it passes east of the Cascades later tonight... with a trailing upper level trough off the California coast slowly passing inland Wednesday. This should keep moderate precipitation ongoing for the Snoqualmie Pass down to Mt. Hood through the morning hours. As the trough moves through the region the air mass should generally cool.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening |
Stormy with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Warming trend through the afternoon. |
| Tuesday Night |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers diminishing overnight. Cooling trend. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow, heaviest south Washington Cascades. |
| Tuesday Night |
Moderate rain and snow, occasionally heavy volcanoes. Chance of mixed precipitation Snoqualmie and White Pass late Tuesday night. |
| Wednesday Morning |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest south and central Washington Cascades. Brief warming trend Cascade Passes with a switch to westerly winds. |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers. Gradual cooling trend. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow. |
| Tuesday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Chance of mixed precipitation near the Cascade Passes late Tuesday night. |
| Wednesday Morning |
Light rain and snow showers. Brief warming trend. |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Mostly cloudy with isolated light rain and snow showers. Gradual cooling trend. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow, increasing alpine winds. Warming trend. |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Moderate rain and snow. |
| Wednesday Afternoon - Wednesday Night |
Cloudy with light rain to moderate rain and snow showers. Gradual cooling trend. |
Issued: 1:54 PM PST Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening | Snow Level * | 6500' | 4500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 7500' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level * | 5500' | 3500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 6500' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 1500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 2500' |
| Tuesday Mid-day | Snow Level * | 6500' | 4500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 5000' (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
| Saturday | Saturday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0 - 1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.50 - 2.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0 - 0.50 |
| White Pass | 0 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0 - 2.00 | 0 - 1.00 |
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: 1:54 PM PST Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 | S 10 - 20 | SE 15 - 30 | --- - | S 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Evening | W 15 - 25 | SSE 15 - 25 | SSE 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | NW 10 - 20 | --- - | NW 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | W 15 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Evening | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | SE 15 - 30 |
| Tuesday Evening | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Evening | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Evening | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | SE 15 - 30 |
| Tuesday Evening | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Evening | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NW 15 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 | S 20 - 30 | SW 50 - 60 | --- - | SW 60 - 70 |
| Tuesday Evening | SW 40 - 50 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 50 - 60 | --- - | SW 50 - 60 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | WNW 15 - 25 | --- - | NW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Evening | SW 40 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Evening | SW 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 50 - 60 |
| Tuesday Evening | SW 50 - 60 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Evening | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 60 - 70 |
| Tuesday Evening | SW 50 - 60 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday - Wednesday Night | NW 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.
Issued: 1:54 PM PST Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
Another frontal system sliding SE will reach the area on Thursday, with light precipitation overspreading southern areas and the Olympics mid-day and eventually lifting north Thursday night. Precipitation totals look light, except moderate around Mt. Hood.
An upper level ridge will build offshore Friday, but NW flow aloft should keep clouds banked up along the west slopes Friday with scattered showers.
The next frontal system in this progressive pattern should reach the coast Friday night and move inland Saturday. This front also looks to be N-S oriented and slightly warmer than the Tuesday system.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow developing Olympics, south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood mid-day and spreading NE.
Light rain and snow becoming light showers overnight.
Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers mainly near and west of the Cascade crest.
Light to moderate rain and snow developing Olympics Friday night and spreading inland to the Cascades Saturday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | * |
| Friday | Snow Level | 2500' - 3500' | 3500' - 4500' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Friday Night - Saturday | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3000' - 4000' | 5000' - 6000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Friday Night - Saturday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (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 12, 2016
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