Issued: 7:05 AM PST Wednesday, January 9, 2019
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Friday

A low to our west will track northward toward the central British Columbia coastline by evening. The associated trough will bring strong crest-level wind to many areas, peaking in the early afternoon, with light to moderate precipitation at generally elevated snow levels west of the Cascade Crest. Cold air east of the Cascade Crest will gradually erode from south to north, but it will remain in place long enough for the easterly flow to keep Snoqualmie Pass snow until 11 AM before a shift to rain (possibly mixed with freezing rain). Stevens is likely to stay mostly snow. Mt. Baker will be most favored by the southerly flow pattern, followed by Paradise and Crystal, then Hurricane Ridge. The Cascade passes will experience generally lighter precipitation. 

The easterly flow will decrease Wednesday night following the passage of the shortwave trough and without much cooling aloft, snow levels will remain elevated in most areas with further erosion of the cold air east of the Cascade Crest. Stevens Pass should change to rain by about daybreak on Thursday. SW winds should generally decrease Wednesday night through Thursday. 

A warm front will brush the region on Thursday, bringing generally light rain and snow on a southerly flow. 

Thursday night and Friday should see some clearing as most of the weather action stays to our west and a ridge centered over eastern Washington and Idaho builds over the region.

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Mt. Baker
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Mt. Hood

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 * 5500' 4500' 2500' 1500' 2500' 3000' 4500' 4500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level * 5000' 4500' 4500' 3000' 3500' 4000' 4500' 5500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level * 5000' 4500' 3000' 4000' 3500' 4500' 5000' 5000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level * 4500' 4500' 4000' 4500' 4000' 4500' 4500' 4500'
Thursday Morning Snow Level * 5000' 4000' 4000' 4500' 4000' 4500' 4500' 5000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)

* 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

Wednesday Wednesday Night Friday
4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 1.00 2.00 0.50
Washington Pass 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Leavenworth 0.25 0.25 0
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 0.50 LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.25 0.50 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge 0.25 LT 0.25 0
Crystal Mt 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.10
Paradise 0.50 1.00 LT 0.10
White Pass 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 0.50 LT 0.10
0.25 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 1.00
Wednesday Night 2.00
Friday 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday LT 0.10
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25
Friday 0
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Friday LT 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Friday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Friday 0
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Friday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 1.00
Friday LT 0.10
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Friday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Friday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Friday LT 0.10

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Wednesday Morning SSE 35 - 50 SE 25 - 35 E 25 - 35 ESE 25 - 35 SSE 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 40 - 60 SE 35 - 50 SE 30 - 45 SE 30 - 45 SSE 35 - 50
Wednesday Evening SSW 30 - 45 SSE 25 - 35 SSE 25 - 35 SSE 25 - 35 SSW 30 - 45
Wednesday Night SSW 20 - 30 S 20 - 30 SW 20 - 30 SSW 20 - 30 SW 30 - 45
Thursday Morning S 20 - 30 SSE 15 - 25 SW 10 - 20 S 10 - 20 S 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Morning SSE 35 - 50
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 40 - 60
Wednesday Evening SSW 30 - 45
Wednesday Night SSW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning S 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon S 20 - 30
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Morning SE 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SE 35 - 50
Wednesday Evening SSE 25 - 35
Wednesday Night S 20 - 30
Thursday Morning SSE 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon SE 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning E 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SE 30 - 45
Wednesday Evening SSE 25 - 35
Wednesday Night SW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning SW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon ESE 15 - 25
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Wednesday Morning ESE 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SE 30 - 45
Wednesday Evening SSE 25 - 35
Wednesday Night SSW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning S 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SSE 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning SSE 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 35 - 50
Wednesday Evening SSW 30 - 45
Wednesday Night SW 30 - 45
Thursday Morning S 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon ESE 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSE 35 - 50
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 40 - 60
Wednesday Evening SSW 30 - 45
Wednesday Night SSW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning S 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon S 20 - 30
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SE 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SE 35 - 50
Wednesday Evening SSE 25 - 35
Wednesday Night S 20 - 30
Thursday Morning SSE 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon SE 20 - 30
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning E 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SE 30 - 45
Wednesday Evening SSE 25 - 35
Wednesday Night SW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning SW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon ESE 15 - 25
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning ESE 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SE 30 - 45
Wednesday Evening SSE 25 - 35
Wednesday Night SSW 20 - 30
Thursday Morning S 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SSE 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSE 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 35 - 50
Wednesday Evening SSW 30 - 45
Wednesday Night SW 30 - 45
Thursday Morning S 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon ESE 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
Wednesday Morning S 30 - 45 SSW 25 - 35 SSW 35 - 50 SSW 40 - 60 SSW 50 - 70
Wednesday Afternoon S 50 - 70 SSW 40 - 60 SSW 50 - 70 SSW 50 - 70 SSW 60 - 80
Wednesday Evening SSW 40 - 60 SSW 35 - 50 SW 40 - 60 SW 40 - 60 SW 45 - 65
Wednesday Night SW 25 - 35 SW 35 - 50 SW 35 - 50 SW 30 - 45 WSW 35 - 50
Thursday Morning SSW 15 - 25 SW 15 - 25 SW 20 - 30 SW 20 - 30 SW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning S 30 - 45
Wednesday Afternoon S 50 - 70
Wednesday Evening SSW 40 - 60
Wednesday Night SW 25 - 35
Thursday Morning SSW 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 40 - 60
Wednesday Evening SSW 35 - 50
Wednesday Night SW 35 - 50
Thursday Morning SW 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 35 - 50
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 50 - 70
Wednesday Evening SW 40 - 60
Wednesday Night SW 35 - 50
Thursday Morning SW 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon SW 20 - 30
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 40 - 60
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 50 - 70
Wednesday Evening SW 40 - 60
Wednesday Night SW 30 - 45
Thursday Morning SW 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 50 - 70
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 60 - 80
Wednesday Evening SW 45 - 65
Wednesday Night WSW 35 - 50
Thursday Morning SW 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon SSW 15 - 25

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 Jan 8, 2019

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.