Issued: 2:34 PM PST Wednesday, February 20, 2019
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 Wednesday night through Friday

The Pacific Northwest sits near the western edge of a cool upper trough over the Western US. An amplified jetstream continues to bring NNW flow and instability snow showers primarily to the Oregon Cascades but also to southern Washington. The two features are combining to maintain below normal temperatures on Wednesday. A surface boundary will move southward from interior British Columbia, bringing drier air and cutting off shower activity during the evening hours.

Dry weather can be expected later Wednesday night through Friday night as a low amplitude high-pressure noses into the region.

Thursday night, clouds will increase ahead of a system diving southward along the British Columbia coastline with some light precipitation arriving in the Olympics and North Cascades by the early morning hours on Friday. Light to moderate snow will increase throughout the day with the front passing from NW to SE across the region during the afternoon hours on Friday. This system looks to be a repeat of the Tuesday through Tuesday night storm.

Below normal temperatures can be expected throughout the forecast period with snow levels well below pass level.

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Wednesday Night Partly clear then becoming mostly clear. Cool. Moderate winds.
Mt. Baker
Wednesday Night Mostly clearing skies with fog lingering in the valleys. Cool. Light to moderate winds.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Wednesday Night Some early snow showers from highway 2 southward, then mostly clearing skies with fog lingering in the valleys. Cool. Light to moderate winds.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Wednesday Night Some early light snow showers from highway 2 southward, then mostly clearing skies with fog lingering in the valleys. Cool. Light to moderate winds.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Wednesday Night Some light snow showers possible in the early evening, then gradually clearing. Cool. Light winds.
Mt. Hood
Wednesday Night Some light snow showers possible in the early evening, then gradually clearing. Cool. Light winds.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Wednesday Evening Snow Level 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1500'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level * 1500' 1000' 500' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000' 1000'
Thursday Morning Freezing Level * 1000' 500' 500' 500' 500' 1000' 1000' 0'
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level 2000' 1500' 1500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level * 2500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2000'
Thursday Night Freezing Level * 2000' 1000' 500' 500' 1000' 1000' 1000' 500'
Friday Morning Snow Level 1500' 0' 0' 0' 0' 0' 500' 0'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
1500'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
500'
Washington Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
1500'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
500'
Leavenworth Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
2500'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Morning Snow Level
500'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Wednesday Night Freezing Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Freezing Level
0'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Freezing Level
2000'
Thursday Evening Freezing Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Night Freezing Level
500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Morning Snow Level
0'
Friday Afternoon Snow Level
1500'

* 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 Night Friday Friday Night Friday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 0 0 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 0 0 0.50
Washington Pass 0 0 0 LT 0.25
Leavenworth 0 0 0 LT 0.25
Stevens Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt LT 0.10 0 0 LT 0.25
Paradise 0.25 0 0 0.50
White Pass LT 0.10 0 0 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows LT 0.25 0 0 LT 0.25
LT 0.25 0 0 LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night 0.25
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday 0.50
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Friday 0
Friday Night 0
Friday LT 0.25

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Wednesday Evening NNE 10 - 20 NNE 10 - 20 ENE 0 - 10 ENE 0 - 10 ENE 0 - 10
Wednesday Night N 10 - 20 NE 10 - 20 VAR 0 - 10 ENE 0 - 10 ENE 10 - 20
Thursday Morning N 5 - 15 NE 5 - 15 E 0 - 10 NE 0 - 10 ENE 10 - 20
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Evening NNE 10 - 20
Wednesday Night N 10 - 20
Thursday Morning N 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Evening NNE 10 - 20
Wednesday Night NE 10 - 20
Thursday Morning NE 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Evening ENE 0 - 10
Wednesday Night VAR 0 - 10
Thursday Morning E 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Wednesday Evening ENE 0 - 10
Wednesday Night ENE 0 - 10
Thursday Morning NE 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon W 0 - 10
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Evening ENE 0 - 10
Wednesday Night ENE 10 - 20
Thursday Morning ENE 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon ENE 5 - 15
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening NNE 10 - 20
Wednesday Night N 10 - 20
Thursday Morning N 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening NNE 10 - 20
Wednesday Night NE 10 - 20
Thursday Morning NE 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening ENE 0 - 10
Wednesday Night VAR 0 - 10
Thursday Morning E 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon VAR 0 - 10
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening ENE 0 - 10
Wednesday Night ENE 0 - 10
Thursday Morning NE 0 - 10
Thursday Afternoon W 0 - 10
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening ENE 0 - 10
Wednesday Night ENE 10 - 20
Thursday Morning ENE 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon ENE 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
Wednesday Evening NNE 20 - 30 N 15 - 25 N 5 - 15 NE 5 - 15 NE 15 - 25
Wednesday Night NNE 15 - 25 N 10 - 20 N 5 - 15 NNW 10 - 20 N 15 - 25
Thursday Morning N 10 - 20 NNW 5 - 15 N 10 - 20 N 10 - 20 N 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening NNE 20 - 30
Wednesday Night NNE 15 - 25
Thursday Morning N 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon W 5 - 15
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening N 15 - 25
Wednesday Night N 10 - 20
Thursday Morning NNW 5 - 15
Thursday Afternoon W 10 - 20
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening N 5 - 15
Wednesday Night N 5 - 15
Thursday Morning N 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon NW 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening NE 5 - 15
Wednesday Night NNW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning N 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon NW 10 - 20
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Evening NE 15 - 25
Wednesday Night N 15 - 25
Thursday Morning N 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon N 15 - 25

Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Friday

Expect continued temperatures well below seasonal norms.

Friday night, post-frontal WNW flow is expected to bring light snow showers with heavier precipitation with well-defined convergence zones and heavier snow forecast for some areas. The upper trough will sit and spin near Vancouver Island through Saturday night, bringing instability snow showers and cool temperatures before moving onshore on Sunday. A frontal boundary will form over southern Oregon on Sunday with relatively clearing skies over Washington State as the Upper trough loses energy.

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Friday Night Snow Level 0' - 1000' 500' - 1500' 1000' - 2000'
Saturday Snow Level 0' - 1000' 0' - 1000' 1000' - 2000'
Saturday Night Snow Level 500' - 1500' 0' - 1000' 1000' - 2000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Saturday Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
500' - 1500'
Sunday Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
500' - 1500'
Saturday Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Sunday Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Saturday Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Sunday 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 20, 2019

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