Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Sunday & Friday
The upper low off of Vancouver Island will continue to help steer southern stream moisture into our area today in the form of steady light to moderate snow. An upper level shortwave approaching the California coast has begun to stand the frontal boundary up, orienting the precipitation shield a bit more N-S. This translates into higher precipitation amounts for the south and central Washington Cascades with lighter snow extending toward the Olympics and north Cascades this afternoon.
As this frontal band reorients, a relative lull in precipitation should occur for the Mt. Hood area this afternoon and early evening along with some warming. Alpine winds are forecast to be very strong in the Mt. Hood area today and tonight. The warming trend should also impact the south Washington Cascades tonight. Snow levels should peak after midnight around 3500 feet for Crystal and Paradise and near 4000 feet for White Pass before quickly cooling Monday morning.
A brief period of E-NE winds is possible for the central-west and northwest Cascades tonight before the flow turns westerly on Monday. The frontal band should push eastward early Monday morning as steady light to moderate snow for both the east and west slopes of the Cascades is replaced by showers in westerly flow that should favor the west slopes of the Cascades as a broad cold upper trough moves over the PNW. A Puget Sound Convergence zone may form in the afternoon affecting mainly Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Sunday Afternoon - Monday Morning |
Cloudy with light snow in the afternoon, becoming light snow showers locally moderate north slopes of the Olympics in the evening. |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light snow showers, tapering down Monday night. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Sunday Afternoon - Monday Morning |
Light snow north Cascades. Moderate snow central and south Cascades, highest accumulations likely for the south Cascades. Slight warming trend overnight south Cascades. |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light to moderate snow showers, tapering down Monday night. Possible convergence zone Monday afternoon central Cascades and Passes. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Sunday Afternoon - Monday Morning |
Light snow northeast Cascades. Moderate snow central-east and southeast Cascades. Slight warming trend southeast Cascades. |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light snow showers mainly near the Cascade crest, tapering off Monday night. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Cloudy with periods of light rain and snow. Warming trend. Strong alpine winds. |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning |
Moderate rain and snow. Slight cooling trend. Strong alpine winds. |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Mostly cloudy with light to moderate snow showers, tapering down Monday night. Windy |
Issued: 2:42 PM PST Sunday, February 5, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening | Snow Level * | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 5500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level * | 0' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 3500' |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 500' | ' | 1500' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 1000' | ' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
* 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 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| White Pass | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0 - 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: 2:42 PM PST Sunday, February 5, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 | E 0 - 10 | E 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | NE 5 - 15 | NE 10 - 20 | E 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | S 0 - 10 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 15 - 30 | --- - | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | NE 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | E 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | NE 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | NE 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | E 0 - 10 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | NE 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | S 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | E 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WSW 15 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon | --- - |
| Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Monday Night | WSW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 60 - 70 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 50 - 60 |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night | W 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 35 - 45 | --- - | WSW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | --- - |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | --- - |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Afternoon | SW 60 - 70 |
| Sunday Night - Monday Morning | SW 50 - 60 |
| Monday Afternoon - Monday Night | WSW 40 - 50 |
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: 2:42 PM PST Sunday, February 5, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
The Pacific Northwest should be in westerly flow aloft, caught between an elongated E-W upper trough over British Columbia and a strong Pacific jet directed into southern OR/northern CA through Tuesday night. A few impulses in westerly flow should pass through with periods of light showers generally for the west slopes of the Cascades.
An upper level ridge begins to build along the coast Wednesday as a deepening storm system approaches from the southwest. Warm frontal precipitation may spread over the area Wednesday. Strong offshore gradients will keep cold air flowing through the Passes Wednesday night while snow levels rise sharply and stormy conditions develop. The front should pass through Thursday morning with a return to westerly flow and showers.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood
Cloudy with scattered light rain and snow showers west slopes of the Cascades, Olympics and Mt. Hood. Mostly cloudy east slopes of the Cascades with isolated showers near the crest.
Light rain and snow developing during the day. Warming trend Olympics, Mt. Hood and west slopes outside the Cascade Passes.
Stormy, warming trend.
Light to moderate rain and snow showers.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday - Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2000' | 2500' - 3500' | |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 2500' - 3500' | 6000' - 7000' | * |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3000' - 5000' | 7000' - 8000' | * |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 5000' - 6000' | 5000' - 6000' | 5000' - 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday - Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' |
* 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 Feb 5, 2017
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