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Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Thursday
Another spectacular weather pattern change is coming especially to the Cascades Wednesday afternoon and night.
Increasing strong southwest flow aloft will be seen over the Northwest on Wednesday and Wednesday night. A strong, wet warm front will lift north over the area. Snow levels and precipitation amounts will be moving targets but plan on rapid warming and heavy precipitation Wednesday afternoon and night to Thursday morning. It should also be a good set up for freezing rain at Stevens and Snoqualmie especially as usual Snoqualmie Wednesday night to Thursday morning.
It looks like the cold front should cross the Cascades Thursday late morning. This should cause a change to showers and lowering snow levels Thursday afternoon and night. The trusty US GFS model maintains pretty strong flow aloft over the Northwest through Thursday night. So alpine winds should be pretty strong in the Olympics and Cascades through Thursday night. Models indicate less precipitation on Thursday at Mt Hood.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday Morning |
Increasing light snow. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Increasing moderate to heavy snow. Increasing alpine winds. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Periods of heavy rain or snow and strong alpine winds. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Decreasing light to moderate showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. |
| Thursday Night |
Decreasing light showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Morning |
Increasing clouds north and increasing light snow central to south. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Increasing light snow north and increasing moderate to heavy snow central to south. Increasing alpine winds. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Periods of heavy rain or snow and strong alpine winds. Freezing rain Stevens and Snoqualmie especially Snoqualmie. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Decreasing light to moderate showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. |
| Thursday Night |
Decreasing light showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday Morning |
Increasing clouds north and increasing light snow central to south. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Increasing light snow north and increasing moderate snow central to south. Increasing alpine winds. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Periods of moderate heavy rain or snow and strong alpine winds. Local freezing rain lower elevations. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Decreasing light showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. |
| Thursday Night |
Decreasing light showers heaviest higher elevations. Possible continued strong alpine winds. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday Morning |
Increasing light to moderate snow. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Increasing moderate to heavy snow. Increasing alpine winds. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Periods of light to moderate rain or snow and strong alpine winds. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Decreasing light showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. |
| Thursday Night |
Further decreasing light showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. |
Issued: 7:03 AM PST Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level * | 1000' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 1000' | ' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 3500' | 2000' | 500' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 6000' | 4000' | 1000' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 8000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 6000' | 5000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 6000' | ' | 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' | ' | ' | 5000' | ' | 6000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday 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
| Thursday | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.75 - 1.00 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 1.50 | 2.00 - 3.00 |
| Washington Pass | 0 - 1.00 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Stevens Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 - 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 1.50 - 2.00 | 0 - 1.50 |
| Paradise | 2.00 - 3.00 | 1.50 - 2.00 |
| White Pass | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 1.50 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Timberline | 0 - 2.00 | 0.75 - 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: 7:03 AM PST Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSE 10 - 20 | SSE 10 - 20 | SSE 10 - 20 | --- - | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | SSE 15 - 25 | SSE 15 - 25 | SSE 15 - 25 | --- - | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday | SW 30 - 45 | SSE 25 - 35 | SSE 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 | SW 30 - 45 | SW 40 - 60 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 | SW 30 - 45 | SW 40 - 60 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday | SW 40 - 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday | SW 30 - 45 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 50 - 70 | --- - | SW 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday | SW 50 - 70 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 70 - 90 | --- - | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday | SW 50 - 70 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 60 - 80 | --- - | SW 65 - 85 |
| Thursday | SW 45 - 65 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 55 - 75 | --- - | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday | SW 50 - 70 | SW 55 - 75 | SW 50 - 70 | --- - | SW 60 - 80 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday | SW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday | SW 50 - 70 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday | SW 55 - 75 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday | SW 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday | SW 70 - 90 |
| Thursday | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday | SW 55 - 75 |
| Thursday | SW 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Thursday | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | SW 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday | SW 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday | SW 65 - 85 |
| Thursday | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday | SW 60 - 80 |
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 Feb 5, 2017
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