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 & Friday
A big weather change is coming to the Olympics and Cascades Wednesday and Wednesday 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 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. A weakening upper and surface trough should move to the Northwest coast on Thursday 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 Afternoon |
Increasing moderate to heavy snow. Increasing alpine winds. Strong warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Periods of heavy rain or snow and strong alpine winds. Strong warming trend. |
| 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 Afternoon |
Increasing light snow north and increasing moderate to heavy snow central to south. Increasing alpine winds. Strong warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Periods of heavy rain or snow and strong alpine winds. Freezing rain Stevens and Snoqualmie especially Snoqualmie. Strong warming trend. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Decreasing light to moderate showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday Night |
Decreasing light showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. Cooling trend. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| 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. Strong warming trend. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Decreasing light showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday Night |
Decreasing light showers heaviest higher elevations. Possible continued strong alpine winds. Cooling trend. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Increasing moderate to heavy snow. Increasing alpine winds. Strong warming trend. |
| Wednesday Night - Thursday Morning |
Periods of light to moderate rain or snow and strong alpine winds. Strong warming trend. |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Decreasing light showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. Cooling trend. |
| Thursday Night |
Further decreasing light showers. Possible continued strong alpine winds. Cooling trend. |
Issued: 1:20 PM 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 Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4000' | 2000' | 0' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 6000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 7000' | 5000' | 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 Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (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 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 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 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 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 Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (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
| Friday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1.50 - 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: 1:20 PM PST Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 | SSE 15 - 25 | SSE 15 - 25 | --- - | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 45 | SSE 25 - 35 | SSE 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 | SW 30 - 45 | SW 40 - 60 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 60 | SW 30 - 45 | SW 40 - 60 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 30 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 60 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SW 30 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | SSE 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | SW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | 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 Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 50 - 70 | --- - | SW 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 50 - 70 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 70 - 90 | --- - | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 50 - 70 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 60 - 80 | --- - | SW 65 - 85 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 55 - 75 | --- - | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday Night | SW 50 - 70 | SW 55 - 75 | SW 50 - 70 | --- - | SW 60 - 80 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Night | SW 50 - 70 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Night | SW 55 - 75 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 70 - 90 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 55 - 75 |
| Thursday Night | SW 50 - 70 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 65 - 85 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday Night | 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.
Issued: 1:20 PM PST Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday
Good west flow over the Northwest should continue Friday with a second upper trough moving across the Northwest.
An upper ridge should build over the US coastal waters on Saturday and shift to over the west US on Sunday.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades, Mt Hood
Moderate showers heaviest along the Cascade west slopes Friday. Light showers heaviest along the Cascade west slopes Friday night.
Light showers heaviest along the Cascade west slopes ending.
Partly cloudy.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Snow Level | 1500' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1500' - 3000' | |
| Sunday | Freezing Level | 1000' - 3000' | 1000' - 3000' | 3000' - 5000' | |
| Sunday Night | Freezing Level | 3000' - 5000' | 3000' - 5000' | 7000' - 9000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 1000' - 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 1000' - 3000' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3000' |
| Sunday |
Freezing Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Sunday Night |
Freezing Level 7000' - 9000' |
* 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 8, 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.