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 night through Sunday
A cold and active weather pattern continues with a longwave trough entrenched over the region...
Tuesday evening chunk of moisture riding along a stationary front forms a perturbation and moves into the Olympics and central to northern Washington Cascades. The stationary boundary turns into a northward-lifting warm front as a rapidly developing offshore low gains draws produces southerly flow out ahead of it. The warm-front should bring a round of moderate to heavy snowfall from the Olympics across to Snoqualmie and Stevens Passes (evening hours), arriving in the Mt. Baker from the late evening onwards. With E or NE winds at low levels from the front and Frasier River outflow should enhance snowfall on the N and E slopes of the Olympics, which stand to pick up very heavy snowfall (likely upwards of 1 ft). Most Cascades locations should see less than 1 ft of low-density snowfall. The front should bring a round of strong to very strong SW alpine winds as it lifts northwards.
During the day on Wednesday, the upper low over British Columbia merges the now developed and deep, cold low pressure offshore with the warm front moving north into southern British Columbia during the morning area. This leaves most of the region with a relative break. The Olympics don't really get that break as the low continues to generate snowfall with E and SE winds focusing precipitation on the traditionally drier side of the Olympics. Moderate snowfall returns to many areas during the afternoon hours as the cold front moves into the near-shore waters.
On Wednesday afternoon and evening, the low continues northward and the cold front moves across the region, bringing strong to very strong winds including SSW winds aloft and E flow through the mountain gaps. This could be a major easterly wind event with the strongest winds in the 50-60 mph in the Cascade Foothills. The frontal passage allows the winds to die down in the early morning hours.
A cool trough sits offshore on Thursday bringing instability light to moderate snow showers on a SW flow.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Heavy snowfall in the evening hours becoming moderate after midnight. Moderate ridge-level winds. |
| Wednesday | Light to moderate snowfall increasing in the afternoon. Moderate ridge-level winds becoming strong in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | Chance of light snow showers in the evening with moderate snow developing after midnight. Moderate alpine winds after midnight. |
| Wednesday | Decreasing light to moderate snow in the morning, then increasing light to moderate snow in the afternoon. Moderate alpine winds in the morning. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | Light snow in the evening with light to moderate snow increasing for the WA Pass area from late evening onwards and decreasing near Leavenworth after midnight. Strong to very strong SW winds in the alpine near Leavenworth moving northward and weakening overnight. |
| Wednesday | Lingering light snowfall in the north tapering off early; then becoming partly sunny with clouds and a chance of light snow returning in southern parts in the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | A band of moderate to locally heavy snow develops from Snoqualmie Northward in the early evening and dissipating around midnight. Decreasing strong to very strong winds in the alpine. Light W winds becoming light E in the early morning hours at Pass level. |
| Wednesday | Partly sunny in the morning with light to moderate snow arriving late in the day. Increasing moderate ESE winds at 5000 ft. Increasing pass-level winds during the morning hours, becoming E 20-30 mph. 50-65 mph E winds in the foothills of the west slopes possible. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Decreasing light snow showers. Decreasing strong to very strong alpine winds. |
| Wednesday | Increasing light to moderate snow arriving sometime in the afternoon. Increasing strong alpine winds in the late afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Decreasing light snow showers then partially clearing. Decreasing strong alpine winds in the early evening. |
| Wednesday | Increasing light to moderate snow arriving in the afternoon. Increasing strong alpine winds in the late afternoon. |
Issued: 2:46 PM PST Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level * | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level * | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level * | 500' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level * | 500' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level * | 1000' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 1500' | 1500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' (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
| Tuesday Night | Sunday | Sunday Night | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.75 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.75 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday Night | 0.75 |
| Sunday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Sunday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Sunday | 0.25 |
| Sunday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Sunday | 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: 2:46 PM PST Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SSE 10 - 20 | S 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 | SSW 10 - 20 | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | ESE 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 | E 5 - 15 | ESE 15 - 25 | ESE 15 - 25 | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | S 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 15 - 25 |
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 Evening | W 30 - 40 | W 25 - 35 | W 40 - 50 | W 30 - 40 | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 30 - 40 | SW 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 10 - 20 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 | S 20 - 30 | SSW 40 - 45 | SSW 35 - 50 | SW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 25 - 35 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 40 - 50 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 40 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 45 - 65 |
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: 2:46 PM PST Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Sunday
The offshore trough axis moves over the Pacific Northwest Thursday night keeping the light to moderate snow showers focused on the west slopes of the Cascades and Olympics. Subtle ridging allows slightly warmer air to begin to try to budge the unseasonably cold air on Friday as snow showers decrease. Another deep low well offshore brings a front into our region late Friday night and Saturday with moderate to strong E winds developing ahead of it and moderate to heavy snowfall on a southerly flow that should favor the volcanoes. The frontal passage is expected late in the day on Saturday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 0' - 1000' | 0' - 1000' | * |
| Friday | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 500' | 0' - 1000' | * |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 1000' - 2000' | * |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 500' | 1000' - 2000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 0' - 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 0' - 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' (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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Previous forecast from Jan 14, 2020
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