Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Saturday
A split upper trough and weak front will move across the Northwest on Wednesday. The south part of the trough will move to California and there won't be a lot of flow aloft over the Northwest. The front is not very organized and so like the NWS the precipitation type in the forecast will be showers. But a cooler air mass following the front and in the upper trough should move to the Northwest Wednesday night. A convergence zone is indicated by the Wednesday morning UW WRF model in the north Cascades near Glacier Peak Wednesday evening.
A weak ridge and weak surface high pressure should move across the Northwest Wednesday night and Thursday. This should give some cloud and sun breaks Thursday afternoon mainly in the south Cascades and east of the crest.
Increasing southwest flow aloft should cause a second front to begin to arrive over the Northwest on Thursday night with the main flow aloft and main precipitation expected from about Mt Hood south.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Increasing light to moderate showers. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Light showers decreasing and ending. Cooler with lowering snow levels. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy. |
| Thursday Evening - Thursday Night |
Increasing moderate to heavy rain or snow. Increasing alpine winds. Warmer with rising snow levels. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Increasing light to moderate showers heaviest volcanoes. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Showers possibly heaviest in convergence in the north Cascades in the evening otherwise light showers decreasing and ending. Cooler with lowering snow levels. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy north and partly cloudy south. |
| Thursday Evening - Thursday Night |
Increasing light to moderate rain or snow passes and increasing moderate to heavy rain or snow volcanoes. Increasing alpine winds. Warmer with rising snow levels. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Increasing light showers heaviest higher elevations. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Light showers higher elevations decreasing and ending. Cooler with lowering snow levels. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Partly sunny north and mostly sunny south. |
| Thursday Evening - Thursday Night |
Increasing light to moderate rain or snow. Increasing alpine winds. Warmer with rising snow levels. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Increasing light to moderate showers. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Light showers decreasing and ending. Cooler with lowering snow levels. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Partly sunny. |
| Thursday Evening - Thursday Night |
Increasing moderate to heavy rain or snow. Increasing alpine winds. Warmer with rising snow levels. |
Issued: 1:29 PM PDT Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4500' | ' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night | Snow Level | 3500' | 3500' | 3500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 5000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon - Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
* 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 | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 1.00 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0 - 0.75 |
| White Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0 - 0.50 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 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: 1:29 PM PDT Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 | --- - | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 10 - 20 | --- - | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 25 - 35 | SSE 20 - 30 | SSE 20 - 30 | --- - | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Evening | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Evening | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Evening | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Evening | SSE 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 35 - 50 | SSW 30 - 45 | SSW 35 - 50 | --- - | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 | SW 30 - 45 | SW 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 25 - 35 | --- - | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 40 - 60 | SSW 30 - 45 | SSW 40 - 60 | --- - | SSW 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Mid-day | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 50 - 70 |
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: 1:29 PM PDT Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
Moderate southwest flow aloft and showers will follow the 2nd front across the Northwest on Friday with the main flow and precipitation sinking south from over Oregon to California.
A weak upper trough, with the main part of the trough moving to California, should cross the Northwest on Saturday.
An upper ridge and surface high pressure should cross the Northwest on Sunday causing a break between weather systems. Another front should approach on Sunday night.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades, Mt Hood
Decreasing moderate showers heaviest along the Cascade west slopes and a little cooler.
Light showers mainly along the Cascade west slopes decreasing and ending and a little further cooling.
Partly cloudy near and and west of the Cascade crest and partly sunny east of the crest Sunday morning. Increasing clouds Sunday afternoon. Increasing rain or snow Sunday night.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Snow Level | 3000' - 4000' | 3000' - 4000' | 4000' - 5000' | |
| Saturday Morning - Sunday Morning | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 3000' - 4000' | 3500' - 4500' | |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night | Snow Level | 3000' - 5000' | 3000' - 5000' | 4000' - 6000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Morning - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Morning - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 4000' - 5000' |
| Saturday Morning - Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' |
| Sunday Afternoon - Sunday Night |
Snow Level 4000' - 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 Mar 22, 2017
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.