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Weather Synopsis for Thursday & Thursday
A mostly weak front and slightly splitting upper trough moved across the Northwest on Wednesday. But the NWAC station at Mt Baker has 11 inches of new snow on Thursday morning. Other NWAC stations along the Cascade west slopes above the Pass levels had 2-5 inches.
A minor upper ridge will cross the Northwest and weak surface high pressure will weakly and temporarily build north over the Northwest on Thursday. But a warm front will also brush mainly the Olympics and north Cascades on Thursday morning.
Southwest flow will then carry a front across the Northwest Thursday night.
A slight break in showers is indicated following the front Friday morning.
An upper trough will move to the Northwest on Friday but with the main flow, moisture and trailing portion of the front sinking south to California. But renewed showers should be seen over the Olympics and Cascades on Friday afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
| Thursday Morning - Thursday Afternoon |
Cloudy with light showers decreasing and ending in the morning north part. Mostly cloudy with light showers ending in the morning central part. Partly or mostly cloudy south part. |
| Thursday Night |
Increasing clouds and increasing moderate rain or snow. Increasing moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Morning |
Mostly light showers. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Renewed moderate showers. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Night |
Decreasing light showers. |
Olympics
| Thursday Morning - Thursday Afternoon |
Mostly cloudy in the morning. Increasing light rain or snow in the afternoon. |
| Thursday Night |
Increasing clouds and increasing moderate rain or snow. Increasing moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Morning |
Mostly light showers. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Renewed moderate showers. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Night |
Decreasing light showers. |
East slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Thursday Morning - Thursday Afternoon |
Partly sunny north part. Mostly sunny south part. |
| Thursday Night |
Increasing clouds and increasing light to moderate rain or snow. Increasing moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Morning |
Mostly light showers mainly higher elevations. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Renewed light to moderate showers. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Night |
Decreasing light showers higher elevations. |
Mt. Hood Area
| Thursday Morning - Thursday Afternoon |
Mostly sunny. |
| Thursday Night |
Increasing clouds and increasing moderate rain or snow. Increasing moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Morning |
Mostly light showers. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Afternoon |
Renewed moderate showers. Moderate alpine winds. |
| Friday Night |
Decreasing light showers. |
Issued: 7:09 AM PDT Thursday, March 23, 2017
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 3000' | 2500' | 0' | ' | ' | 2500' | ' | 2500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4500' |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning | Snow Level | 4000' | 3000' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3500' | ' | 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 4500' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 3000' | 3000' | 2000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 3500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night - Friday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 3500' |
* 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 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0 - 0.75 | 0 - 1.00 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 - 0.50 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Timberline | 0 - 0.50 | 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: 7:09 AM PDT Thursday, March 23, 2017
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 | --- - | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 | SSE 15 - 25 | SSE 10 - 20 | --- - | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 25 - 35 | SSE 20 - 30 | SSE 20 - 30 | --- - | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Friday Morning | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Friday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 15 - 25 | --- - | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 20 - 30 | --- - | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 40 - 60 | SSW 30 - 45 | SSW 40 - 60 | --- - | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 | SSW 30 - 45 | SSW 30 - 45 | --- - | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 45 | --- - | SW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Night | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | SW 25 - 35 | --- - | SW 40 - 60 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Friday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Friday Night | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Friday Morning | --- - |
| Friday Afternoon | --- - |
| Friday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Night | SSW 40 - 60 |
| Friday Morning | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Friday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Friday 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
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.