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 & Friday
With the dominant eastern Pacific upper level ridge flattened...the door has opened to westerly flow and a number of fast moving and wet weather systems should make for an interesting week across the Pacific Northwest.
An open shortwave trough is located just off the Columbia River Bar near the Washington and Oregon border this afternoon. After a break in the generally light precipitation, rain and snow at moderate snow levels should pick back up for the Cascades and Mt. Hood area before turning to showers later tonight. The heaviest precipitation is still forecast to fall from Mt. Rainier to Mt. Hood with this system, especially during the afternoon to early evening hours as the trough swings through. Easterly flow through the Cascade passes should continue a wintry mix, including freezing rain through early this evening. In the afternoon, the greatest chance for freezing rain should be at Snoqualmie Pass before the flow becomes westerly overnight.
A stronger and wetter system should arrive on Wednesday, with precipitation picking up in the afternoon and evening. Again, snow levels will remain moderate until later Wednesday night when cooler air filters in behind the front. Mixed precipitation is possible in the Cascade passes again Wednesday afternoon until the front comes through in the later afternoon or early evening.
Weather Forecast
Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Light to moderate rain and snow with a wintry mix, including freezing rain possible mainly Snoqualmie Pass. Heaviest rain and snow Mt. Rainier area and south. |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Light rain and snow showers. Mixed precipitation possible Cascade Passes Wednesday morning. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Moderate rain and snow developing in the afternoon. Mixed precipitation possible Cascade passes, most likely Stevens Pass. |
| Wednesday Night |
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow showers. Cooling trend beginning Wednesday evening. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Light to moderate rain and snow. Heaviest rain and snow southeast Cascades. |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Light rain and snow showers mainly near the crest. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Light to moderate rain and snow developing in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night |
Light to moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest near the Cascade crest. Cooling trend beginning Wednesday evening. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Moderate rain and snow showers. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Moderate rain and snow developing in the afternoon. |
| Wednesday Night |
Moderate rain and snow showers. Cooling trend beginning Wednesday evening. |
Issued: 2:28 PM PST Tuesday, January 7, 2014
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 * | 5000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4500' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 5000' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4500' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
* 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
| Friday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Paradise | 0.75 - 1.00 | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| White Pass | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 1.50 |
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: 2:28 PM PST Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 | --- - | SSW 10 - 20 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | SW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | SW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | SW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - | --- - | W 15 - 25 | --- - | W 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - | --- - | W 15 - 25 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - | --- - | SW 30 - 40 | --- - | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | --- - | --- - | WSW 40 - 50 | --- - | WSW 45 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 45 - 60 |
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: 2:28 PM PST Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
Showers should continue in northwest flow aloft on Thursday with snow levels remaining cool. A disorganized system may slide through the area Thursday night, turning the precipitation to a steadier rain and snow. It will be difficult to discern where one system ends and the next begins. The weather pattern looks to be on the wild side for the end of the work week and lasting through Saturday. A strong Pacific frontal system will take aim at our area with a plume of warm frontal moisture and a significant warm-up affecting the region on Friday afternoon and Friday night. A cold front sweeping through Saturday morning should be followed by good orographics and a strong cooling trend. SW through W winds look very strong with the Friday/Saturday system.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Area
Cooler. Light to moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest west slopes.
Moderate rain and snow, heaviest west slopes, gradual warming trend.
Stormy, moderate to heavy rain and snow with a strong warming trend.
Stormy, moderate to heavy rain and snow showers, mainly west slopes, with a strong cooling trend.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night | Snow Level | ' - ' | 2500' - 3500' | 2500' - 4000' | |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | ' - ' | 3500' - 4500' | 5500' - 6500' | |
| Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning | Snow Level | ' - ' | 5000' - 6500' | 6500' - 7500' | |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | ' - ' | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' - ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' - 6500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 4000' |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Friday Afternoon - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 6500' - 7500' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
* 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 7, 2014
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