Issued: 7:32 AM PST Monday, December 19, 2016
by Dennis D'Amico

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k

Weather Synopsis for Monday & Tuesday

Strong westerly flow will deliver a one-two punch of weather systems over the next 36 hours, with the second storm arriving tonight being the stronger of the two. Light to moderate snow from the first weather system is over us this morning.  The front should be through the area by late morning with post-front shower activity quickly decreasing in the early afternoon. A quick pop-up in temperatures this morning should become a more gradual rise this afternoon. Snow levels look to rise above Pass level for Snoqualmie and near Pass level for White but should stay below Pass level (4000 ft) for Stevens with this first system. Strong westerly winds seen this morning should also ease this afternoon. 

The next system currently upstream in westerly flow will quickly move in this evening with precipitation becoming moderate to locally heavy for the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood Monday night. Westerly winds will be even stronger with this system and stay strong for much of Tuesday.  The heaviest precipitation will also coincide with the strongest warming late tonight. Warm air should work into White and Snoqualmie Passes in the early morning hours changing snow to rain, while Stevens will likely stay all snow until after the frontal passage a few hours later.  The warming trend will be less dramatic for the north Cascades with this system versus the south Cascades and Mt. Hood. 

However, warming will be brief as snow levels come crashing back down by mid-day Tuesday and settle around 2500 feet as moderate showers for the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood quickly taper down Tuesday night. 

 

Weather Forecast

Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Monday Morning

Moderate rain and snow transitioning to light to moderate showers late morning.  Warming trend.  Strong westerly winds. 

Monday Afternoon

Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and and snow showers. 

Monday Night

Increasing moderate to locally heavy rain and snow.  Warming trend initially outside of the Cascade Passes and north Cascades. Becoming very windy. 

Tuesday Morning

Moderate to locally heavy rain and snow transitioning to light to moderate rain and snow showers late morning. Very windy. Warmer. 

Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon

Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Windy. Rapid cooling trend. 

Mt. Hood Area
Monday Morning

Moderate rain and snow transitioning to light to moderate showers late morning.  Warming trend.  Strong westerly winds. 

Monday Afternoon

Mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and and snow showers. 

Monday Night

Increasing moderate to heavy rain and snow. Warming trend. Becoming very windy. 

Tuesday Morning

Moderate to locally heavy rain and snow transitioning to light to moderate rain and snow showers late morning. Very windy.  

Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon

Light to moderate rain and snow showers. Windy. Rapid cooling trend. 

East slopes of the Washington Cascades
Monday Morning

Light to moderate rain and snow transitioning to light showers late morning.  Slight warming trend.  Strong westerly winds at crest level. 

Monday Afternoon

Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered light rain and and snow showers. 

Monday Night

Increasing light to moderate rain and snow.  Becoming very windy. 

Tuesday Morning

Moderate rain and snow transitioning to light rain and snow showers late morning. Very windy. Warming trend. 

Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Afternoon

Mostly cloudy with light rain and snow showers, except occasionally moderate near the Cascade crest. Windy. Rapid cooling trend. 

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Monday Morning Snow Level * 3500' 1500' 1000' ' ' 1500' ' 2500'
Monday Mid-day Snow Level 3500' 3000' 2500' ' ' 3500' ' 4000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level 5500' 2500' 1500' ' ' 4000' ' 5500'
Monday Night Snow Level * 4500' 2000' 1500' ' ' 3000' ' 6500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level 4500' 4000' 3000' ' ' 4500' ' 6000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Mid-day Snow Level
3500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Monday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Night Snow Level
3000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Mid-day Snow Level
3000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Monday Night Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Night Snow Level
2500'
Washington Pass Elevation
Monday Morning Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Mid-day Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Monday Night Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Night Snow Level
2500'
Leavenworth Elevation
Monday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Mid-day Snow Level
'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Monday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
'
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Night Snow Level
'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Monday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Mid-day Snow Level
'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Monday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
'
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Night Snow Level
'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Mid-day Snow Level
3500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Monday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Night Snow Level
2500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Monday Morning Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Mid-day Snow Level
'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Monday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
'
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Night Snow Level
'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Mid-day Snow Level
4000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
Monday Night Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
6000'
Tuesday Mid-day - Tuesday Night 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

Tuesday Tuesday
Hurricane Ridge 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 - 1.00 1.00 - 1.50
Washington Pass 0.50 - 0.75 0.75 - 1.00
Stevens Pass 1.50 - 2.00 0 - 1.00
Snoqualmie Pass 0 - 2.00 0 - 1.00
Mission Ridge 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 1.00 - 1.50 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise 2.50 - 3.50 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass 1.50 - 2.00 0.75 - 1.00
Mt Hood Meadows 2.00 - 3.00 0 - 0.75
2.50 - 3.50 0 - 1.00

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Monday Morning SW 30 - 40 SW 25 - 35 SW 35 - 45 --- - SW 20 - 30
Monday Mid-day WNW 15 - 25 W 15 - 25 WSW 25 - 40 --- - WSW 35 - 45
Monday Afternoon SW 5 - 15 SW 5 - 15 SW 15 - 30 --- - WSW 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 30 - 40 SW 20 - 30 WSW 25 - 40 --- - WSW 40 - 50
Tuesday Morning W 40 - 50 W 30 - 40 W 35 - 50 --- - WNW 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon NW 30 - 40 W 25 - 35 W 35 - 45 --- - WNW 30 - 40
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Monday Morning SW 30 - 40
Monday Mid-day WNW 15 - 25
Monday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Monday Night WSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning W 40 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon NW 30 - 40
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Morning SW 25 - 35
Monday Mid-day W 15 - 25
Monday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Monday Night SW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning W 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon W 25 - 35
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Morning SW 35 - 45
Monday Mid-day WSW 25 - 40
Monday Afternoon SW 15 - 30
Monday Night WSW 25 - 40
Tuesday Morning W 35 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon W 35 - 45
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Mid-day --- -
Monday Afternoon --- -
Monday Night --- -
Tuesday Morning --- -
Tuesday Afternoon --- -
Tuesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Morning SW 20 - 30
Monday Mid-day WSW 35 - 45
Monday Afternoon WSW 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 40 - 50
Tuesday Morning WNW 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 30 - 40
Tuesday Night WNW 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Monday Morning SW 30 - 40
Monday Mid-day WNW 15 - 25
Monday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Monday Night WSW 30 - 40
Tuesday Morning W 40 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon NW 30 - 40
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Morning SW 25 - 35
Monday Mid-day W 15 - 25
Monday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Monday Night SW 20 - 30
Tuesday Morning W 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon W 25 - 35
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Morning SW 35 - 45
Monday Mid-day WSW 25 - 40
Monday Afternoon SW 15 - 30
Monday Night WSW 25 - 40
Tuesday Morning W 35 - 50
Tuesday Afternoon W 35 - 45
Tuesday Night W 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Mid-day --- -
Monday Afternoon --- -
Monday Night --- -
Tuesday Morning --- -
Tuesday Afternoon --- -
Tuesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Morning SW 20 - 30
Monday Mid-day WSW 35 - 45
Monday Afternoon WSW 20 - 30
Monday Night WSW 40 - 50
Tuesday Morning WNW 30 - 40
Tuesday Afternoon WNW 30 - 40
Tuesday Night WNW 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
Monday Morning SW 50 - 60 SW 50 - 60 WSW 50 - 60 --- - W 50 - 60
Monday Afternoon W 20 - 30 WNW 35 - 45 W 30 - 40 --- - W 35 - 45
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning WSW 50 - 60 WSW 45 - 55 WSW 55 - 65 --- - W 60 - 80
Tuesday Afternoon NW 40 - 50 NW 50 - 60 NW 50 - 60 --- - NW 50 - 60
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Monday Morning SW 50 - 60
Monday Afternoon W 20 - 30
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning WSW 50 - 60
Tuesday Afternoon NW 40 - 50
Tuesday Night NW 25 - 35
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Morning SW 50 - 60
Monday Afternoon WNW 35 - 45
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning WSW 45 - 55
Tuesday Afternoon NW 50 - 60
Tuesday Night NW 35 - 45
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Monday Morning WSW 50 - 60
Monday Afternoon W 30 - 40
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning WSW 55 - 65
Tuesday Afternoon NW 50 - 60
Tuesday Night NW 35 - 45
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Monday Morning --- -
Monday Afternoon --- -
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning --- -
Tuesday Afternoon --- -
Tuesday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Monday Morning W 50 - 60
Monday Afternoon W 35 - 45
Monday Night - Tuesday Morning W 60 - 80
Tuesday Afternoon NW 50 - 60
Tuesday Night NW 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 16, 2016

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