Issued: 1:24 PM PST Friday, November 17, 2017
by Robert Hahn

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

Weather Synopsis for Friday & Friday

An upper level ridge will be moving east over the Pacific Northwest on Friday. It is cool and moist enough for orographic showers over the west slopes of our mountain ranges, with the heaviest precipitation in the South Cascades. On Saturday a brod ridge builds over the western U.S.  Flow becomes WSW with initial precipitation over Vancouver Island as a front approaches offshore.

Weather Forecast

Olympics, Washington Cascades near and west of the crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie, and White Passes
Friday Morning

Light to moderate showers, heaviest South Cascades.

Friday Afternoon

Light to moderate showers decreasing, heaviest South Cascades.

Friday Evening

Light showers.

Friday Night

Light showers.

Saturday Morning

Light showers mainly norther part.

Saturday Afternoon

Cloudy North, more clouds than sun Central, and partly sunny South.

East slopes of the Washington Cascades
Friday Morning

Light showers high elevations.

Friday Afternoon

Light showers high elevations.

Friday Evening

Light showers high elevations.

Friday Night

Light showers high elevations.

Saturday Morning

Light showers north and cloudy south.

Saturday Afternoon

Mostly cloudy north and mostly sunny south.

Olympics
Friday Morning

Light showers.

Friday Afternoon

Light showers.

Friday Evening

Light showers.

Friday Night

Light showers.

Saturday Morning

Light showers.

Saturday Afternoon

Light showers ending.

Mt. Hood Area
Friday Morning

Moderate showers.

Friday Afternoon

Light showers.

Friday Evening

Light showers.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy.

Saturday Morning

Partly sunny.

Saturday Afternoon

Mostly sunny.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Friday Morning Snow Level 2500' 2000' 2000' ' ' 2500' ' 3000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level 2500' 2000' 2000' ' ' 2500' ' 3000'
Friday Evening Snow Level 2500' 2000' 2000' ' ' 2500' ' 3000'
Friday Night Snow Level 2500' 2000' 2000' ' ' 2500' ' 3000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level 2500' 2000' 2000' ' ' 2500' ' 3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level * 4000' 3000' 3000' ' ' 3500' ' 4000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Friday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Friday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Friday Night Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Friday Night Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Friday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Friday Night Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Friday Morning Snow Level
'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Friday Evening Snow Level
'
Friday Night Snow Level
'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Morning Snow Level
'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Friday Evening Snow Level
'
Friday Night Snow Level
'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Friday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Friday Night Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Friday Morning Snow Level
'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
'
Friday Evening Snow Level
'
Friday Night Snow Level
'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Friday Evening Snow Level
3000'
Friday Night Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Night Snow Level
4000'
(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

Friday Friday
Hurricane Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Washington Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 0 - 0.50 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Paradise 0 - 0.50 LT 0.10
White Pass LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0 - 0.75 LT 0.10
0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.10

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Friday Morning SW 15 - 25 SW 15 - 25 W 25 - 35 --- - W 30 - 40
Friday Afternoon SW 10 - 15 SW 15 - 25 WSW 25 - 35 --- - WSW 30 - 40
Friday Evening SW 5 - 10 SW 15 - 25 WSW 25 - 35 --- - WSW 20 - 30
Friday Night SW 10 - 15 SW 15 - 25 WSW 15 - 25 --- - WSW 10 - 15
Saturday Morning SSW 10 - 15 ESE 10 - 15 WSW 5 - 10 --- - SSE 5 - 10
Saturday Afternoon S 25 - 35 S 25 - 35 SW 15 - 25 --- - SW 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Friday Morning SW 15 - 25
Friday Afternoon SW 10 - 15
Friday Evening SW 5 - 10
Friday Night SW 10 - 15
Saturday Morning SSW 10 - 15
Saturday Afternoon S 25 - 35
Saturday Night SSW 35 - 50
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Morning SW 15 - 25
Friday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Friday Evening SW 15 - 25
Friday Night SW 15 - 25
Saturday Morning ESE 10 - 15
Saturday Afternoon S 25 - 35
Saturday Night ESE 30 - 40
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Morning W 25 - 35
Friday Afternoon WSW 25 - 35
Friday Evening WSW 25 - 35
Friday Night WSW 15 - 25
Saturday Morning WSW 5 - 10
Saturday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Saturday Night SW 20 - 30
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Friday Morning --- -
Friday Afternoon --- -
Friday Evening --- -
Friday Night --- -
Saturday Morning --- -
Saturday Afternoon --- -
Saturday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Morning W 30 - 40
Friday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Friday Evening WSW 20 - 30
Friday Night WSW 10 - 15
Saturday Morning SSE 5 - 10
Saturday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Saturday Night SW 20 - 30
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Friday Morning SW 15 - 25
Friday Afternoon SW 10 - 15
Friday Evening SW 5 - 10
Friday Night SW 10 - 15
Saturday Morning SSW 10 - 15
Saturday Afternoon S 25 - 35
Saturday Night SSW 35 - 50
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Friday Morning SW 15 - 25
Friday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Friday Evening SW 15 - 25
Friday Night SW 15 - 25
Saturday Morning ESE 10 - 15
Saturday Afternoon S 25 - 35
Saturday Night ESE 30 - 40
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Morning W 25 - 35
Friday Afternoon WSW 25 - 35
Friday Evening WSW 25 - 35
Friday Night WSW 15 - 25
Saturday Morning WSW 5 - 10
Saturday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Saturday Night SW 20 - 30
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Friday Morning --- -
Friday Afternoon --- -
Friday Evening --- -
Friday Night --- -
Saturday Morning --- -
Saturday Afternoon --- -
Saturday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Friday Morning W 30 - 40
Friday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Friday Evening WSW 20 - 30
Friday Night WSW 10 - 15
Saturday Morning SSE 5 - 10
Saturday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Saturday 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
Friday Morning W 20 - 30 W 30 - 40 W 40 - 60 --- - W 45 - 65
Friday Afternoon W 25 - 35 W 30 - 40 W 40 - 60 --- - W 45 - 65
Friday Evening WSW 25 - 35 W 30 - 40 W 40 - 60 --- - W 30 - 40
Friday Night WSW 25 - 35 W 25 - 35 WSW 30 - 40 --- - WSW 20 - 30
Saturday Morning SW 20 - 30 SW 15 - 25 SW 25 - 35 --- - SW 20 - 30
Saturday Afternoon SW 30 - 40 SW 30 - 40 SW 30 - 40 --- - SW 25 - 35
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Friday Morning W 20 - 30
Friday Afternoon W 25 - 35
Friday Evening WSW 25 - 35
Friday Night WSW 25 - 35
Saturday Morning SW 20 - 30
Saturday Afternoon SW 30 - 40
Saturday Night SW 35 - 50
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Morning W 30 - 40
Friday Afternoon W 30 - 40
Friday Evening W 30 - 40
Friday Night W 25 - 35
Saturday Morning SW 15 - 25
Saturday Afternoon SW 30 - 40
Saturday Night SW 35 - 50
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Morning W 40 - 60
Friday Afternoon W 40 - 60
Friday Evening W 40 - 60
Friday Night WSW 30 - 40
Saturday Morning SW 25 - 35
Saturday Afternoon SW 30 - 40
Saturday Night SW 30 - 40
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Friday Morning --- -
Friday Afternoon --- -
Friday Evening --- -
Friday Night --- -
Saturday Morning --- -
Saturday Afternoon --- -
Saturday Night --- -
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Friday Morning W 45 - 65
Friday Afternoon W 45 - 65
Friday Evening W 30 - 40
Friday Night WSW 20 - 30
Saturday Morning SW 20 - 30
Saturday Afternoon SW 25 - 35
Saturday Night SW 25 - 35

Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday

Very strong southwesterly flow and heavy precipitation arrive on Sunday as the front crosses the Pacific Northwest. Expect a brief, moderate rise in snow levels. On Monday, a shortwave ridge shifts over the area. On Tuesday, southwesterly flow increases as a strong warm front lifts north over the region.

Extended Weather

Olympics, Washington Cascades, and Mt. Hood
Sunday Morning - Sunday Afternoon

Increased moderate to heavy rain and snow Olympics and North Cascades initially, arriving Central and South Cascades late.

Sunday Evening - Sunday Night

Moderate to heavy rain and snow throughout Cascades and Olympics with intensities decreasing toward morning in Olympics and Northwest Cascades zones.

Monday Morning - Monday Afternoon

Showers ending in the South Cascades in the morning. Partly to mostly sunny in the afternoon.

Monday Evening - Night

Increasing high clouds.

Tuesday Morning - Tuesday Afternoon

Increasing rain and snow with rapidly rising freezing levels.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Sunday Morning - Sunday Evening Snow Level 2500' - 4000' 2500' - 4500' 4000' - 6000' *
Sunday Evening - Sunday Night Snow Level 2500' - 4000' 2500' - 4500' 4000' - 6000'
Monday Morning - Monday Afternoon Snow Level 2500' - 4000' 2500' - 4500' 4000' - 6000'
Monday Evening - Monday Night Snow Level 1000' - 3000' 1500' - 3500' 4000' - 6000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Morning - Sunday Evening Snow Level
2500' - 4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening - Sunday Night Snow Level
2500' - 4000'
Monday Morning - Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2500' - 4000'
Monday Evening - Monday Night Snow Level
1000' - 3000'
Tuesday Morning - Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
4000' - 6000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Morning - Sunday Evening Snow Level
2500' - 4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening - Sunday Night Snow Level
2500' - 4500'
Monday Morning - Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2500' - 4500'
Monday Evening - Monday Night Snow Level
1500' - 3500'
Tuesday Morning - Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
7000' - 9000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Morning - Sunday Evening Snow Level
4000' - 6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Evening - Sunday Night Snow Level
4000' - 6000'
Monday Morning - Monday Afternoon Snow Level
4000' - 6000'
Monday Evening - Monday Night Snow Level
4000' - 6000'
Tuesday Morning - Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
9000' - 11000'

* 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 Nov 16, 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.