Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Thursday
A very active, wet and windy weather pattern continues over the Pacific Northwest.
One strong system and associated trough exits to our east early Wednesday morning. Expect light to moderate rain and snow showers decrease during the morning hours. These showers will be heaviest in convergence over the central Washington Cascades and are accompanied by moderate westerly winds.
The next low heads for SE Alaska, but the associated warm front brings increasing moisture to the region Wednesday afternoon, further increasing Wednesday night. Northwest Washington windward slopes experience the heaviest rain and snow late Wednesday with a sharp precipitation boundary at the southeast edge such that Mt. Hood barely receives any precipitation and Mt. Rainier experiences drying late Thursday as the front lifts northward.
Snow levels will stay below pass level until Thursday morning when they will jump above the lower pass levels with the passage of the warm front; gradual warming will continue Thursday afternoon. Although light easterly flow will develop late Wednesday night in the passes, there is not enough cold air east of the Cascades to prevent a changeover to rain.
Winds will be a major story with this system as moderate westerly flow becomes strong out of the SW Wednesday night with winds gradually moderating Thursday from south to north.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday | Isolated light snow showers. Increasing light snow in the afternoon. Moderate winds with occasionally strong gusts. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday | Light snow showers in the morning with occasional sun breaks. Snowfall becoming steady and increasing to light to moderate in the afternoon. Light to moderate wind becoming moderate in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday | Light rain and snow showers, heaviest in convergence (Central Cascades). Decreasing moderate winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday | Light to occasionally moderate snow showers decreasing and lifting northward during the morning hours. Rain can be found at lower elevations just east of the passes. Light snow becoming more continuous during the afternoon. Moderate winds. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday | Light to occasionally moderate snow showers decreasing and becoming more continuous light snow in the late morning. Crystal precipitation blocked by Mt. Rainier in the afternoon. Moderate winds. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Light snow showers decreasing and mostly ending. Occasional lifting of the low cloud in the afternoon, with high clouds above. Light to moderate westerly winds. |
Issued: 7:00 AM PST Wednesday, December 12, 2018
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 | 2000' | 1500' | 1000' | 2500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | 4000' | 2500' | 1500' | 2500' | 2000' | 2500' | 2500' | 1500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 6000' | 2500' | 2000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 6000' | 3000' | 3500' | 4500' | 4500' | 4500' | 3500' | 3000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 6000' | 4500' | 5000' | 5000' | 5000' | 5500' | 5000' | 6000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (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 | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 | 2.00 - 2.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | 0.25 | 0.75 -1.00 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 2.00 - 2.50 |
| Thursday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Thursday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Thursday | 0.75 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 -1.00 |
| Thursday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
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: 7:00 AM PST Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 20 - 30 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 40 - 60 | S 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 45 - 65 | S 30 - 45 | S 35 - 50 | SSW 35 - 50 | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 40 - 60 | SSE 25 - 35 | SW 35 - 50 | SSW 35 - 50 | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 | S 25 - 35 | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | S 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | S 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | S 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | S 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 30 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 25 - 35 |
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 | W 30 - 45 | W 40 - 60 | WNW 45 - 65 | WNW 45 - 65 | WNW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 45 | WSW 40 - 60 | W 40 - 60 | W 35 - 50 | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 30 - 45 | SW 35 - 50 | WSW 30 - 45 | WSW 30 - 45 | W 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 50 - 70 | SW 50 - 70 | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 55 - 75 | SW 55 - 75 | SW 45 - 65 | SW 50 - 70 | SW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 | SW 45 - 65 | SW 45 - 65 | SW 45 - 65 | SW 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 55 - 75 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 55 - 75 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 45 - 65 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Evening | WSW 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 35 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 30 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 50 |
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 Dec 11, 2018
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