Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday & Thursday
A weak low pressure system traversed across northern Oregon and into southeast Washington earlier today. This track was similar to Monday's low pressure system, but with the precipitation shield a bit further south. Light precipitation mainly affected the Mt. Hood region through mid-day with periods of light snow reaching northward into the central Washington Cascades. As the low passed east of the Cascades, an upper level trough is beginning to move over the Pacific Northwest with a cooling trend taking place in the afternoon. Lower stations have bumped up in response to daytime heating, but upper stations have begun to cool as of 1 PM. Sunbreaks are popping out especially in the northwest Cascades and Olympics.
Afternoon shower activity should be fairly light but a possible convergence zone initially focused near Snoqualmie should rotate toward Stevens Pass and may produce bands of moderate showers through the evening. Showers should taper down overnight.
A weak upper level low coming down in the northerly branch of the jet stream will help dig a cold upper level trough over the area on Wednesday. The air mass will be slightly unstable with a chance for a few heavier showers potentially containing graupel in the afternoon. It looks fairly cloudy for the Olympics and west slopes of the Cascades on Wednesday, but the east slopes of the Cascades may enjoy more sunbreaks before the convective clouds begin to fill in during the afternoon hours. Showers should again taper down overnight.
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Tuesday - Tuesday Evening |
Partly to mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers. Slight cooling trend. |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Colder. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Cloudy with scattered light to moderate snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light snow showers. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers, occasionally moderate near a potential convergence zone between Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes. A few afternoon sunbreaks, especially north Cascades. Slight cooling trend. |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Colder. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light snow showers. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers. A few afternoon sunbreaks. |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Turning colder. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Afternoon sunbreaks. |
| Wednesday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light snow showers. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Light rain and snow. |
| Tuesday Afternoon - Tuesday Evening |
Mostly cloudy with light scattered rain and snow showers. A few afternoon sunbreaks. Slight cooling trend. |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. Colder. |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy with scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. |
| Wednesday Night |
Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated light snow showers. |
Issued: 2:26 PM PST Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day | Snow Level | 3000' | 3500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 2000' | 3500' | ' | ' | 2000' | ' | 2500' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 1000' | 1000' | 500' | ' | ' | 1000' | ' | 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | ' | ' | 1500' | ' | 1500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | ' | ' | 0' | ' | 500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Mid-day |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
* 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 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
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: 2:26 PM PST Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 | SW 0 - 10 | WNW 10 - 20 | --- - | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 15 - 25 | --- - | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | W 5 - 15 | SW 0 - 10 | WSW 5 - 15 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | --- - | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | SW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday | SW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night | --- - |
| Wednesday | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 | --- - | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 | W 20 - 35 | W 20 - 35 | --- - | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | WNW 10 - 20 | --- - | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 5 - 15 | NW 5 - 15 | NW 10 - 20 | --- - | NW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Afternoon | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night - Wednesday Morning | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 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.
Issued: 2:26 PM PST Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Thursday
A repetitive pattern of an upper level low coming down in northerly flow and digging off the Washington Coast over the next few days will keep the Pacific Northwest under the influence of a seasonally cool air mass with low snow levels and predominately afternoon mountain showers. The Olympics may be slightly cloudier due to their proximity to the upper low(s), but in general expect convective clouds to increase each afternoon with scattered mountain showers developing.
Extended Weather
Olympics, Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood
Partly cloudy in the overnight and morning hours becoming mostly cloudy with scattered mountain showers in the afternoon and early evening hours. More afternoon sunbreaks along the east slopes of the Cascades away from the crest. Cool.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1000' - 1500' | 1000' - 1500' | 1000' - 1500' | |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1000' - 1500' | 1000' - 1500' | 1000' - 1500' | |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' | 1000' - 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' - 1500' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' - 1500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' - 1500' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' - 1500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' - 1500' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' - 1500' |
| Friday Night - Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' - 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.
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 21, 2017
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