Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Monday
A deep and strong low pressure continues to strengthen as it tracks NE off the Oregon and Washington coastlines on Wednesday and then tracks due north Wednesday night toward the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The track of the low will create a strong E-W pressure gradient, sucking strong E winds through the mountain gaps that should peak late Wednesday afternoon into the early evening. Winds in the 20-30 mph range are expected through Snoqualmie Pass with higher 30-40 mph winds gusting to 50-60 mph possible throughout Cascade Foothills. At Cascade crest level, the associated front should bring increasing strong to very strong SSW through SSE winds as it approaches. Precipitation amounts are not expected to be impressive with this system, but many areas should see light to moderate snowfall moving into the Cascades from late morning onwards through the evening hours, with the east slopes of the Cascades getting some enhancement from the low-level easterly winds.
Winds should decrease overnight as the deep low moves away and weakens upon encountering the cold interior BC high pressure. The frontal system lingers over the Cascades late Wednesday night into Thursday morning with light to moderate snow showers continuing on SW flow through the day. The trough axis moves back over the Pacific Northwest moves into the near-shore waters by late in the day Wednesday.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday | Scattered snow showers becoming light to moderate snow from late morning onwards. Increasing moderate ridge-crest winds gusting strong. Cold. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday | Periods of light snow, then moderate snow developing in the afternoon. Moderate to strong 5000 ft winds increasing late in the day with the high gusts likely in the foothills as well. Cold. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday | Periods of light snow, becoming light to moderate in the afternoon. Moderate crest-level winds becoming strong in the afternoon. Cold. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday | Partly cloudy early with clouds quickly increasing, then light snow increasing in the afternoon. Strong and increasing crest-level southerly flow. Moderate ESE winds through the passes up to 5000 feet increasing to strong by late in the day. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday | Partly cloudy early with clouds quickly increasing, then light to moderate snow increasing in the afternoon. Strong and increasing crest-level southerly flow. Moderate to strong and increasing ESE winds in the foothills. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Partly cloudy early with clouds increasing, then moderate snow developing in the afternoon. Strong increasing to very strong S winds in the alpine. |
Issued: 7:17 AM PST Wednesday, January 15, 2020
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 | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 1000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 1500' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 1000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 500' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 1000' | 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 1000' | 500' | 500' | 500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 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.
Precipitation Forecast
| Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Monday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 | 0.75 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.25 | 0.75 | 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0.75 |
| Monday | 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: 7:17 AM PST Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 | SE 20 - 30 | ESE 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 20 - 30 | E 25 - 35 | E 20 - 30 | ESE 20 - 30 | SE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | SSE 25 - 35 | ESE 25 - 35 | ESE 20 - 30 | SSE 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 | ESE 15 - 25 | SE 10 - 20 | ESE 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 | SE 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 | SSW 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 | S 10 - 20 | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 5 - 5 | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | ESE 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 5 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SSE 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | ESE 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | SE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | ESE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | E 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | SE 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | ESE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | SSE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | ESE 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 5 - 5 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SE 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 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 Morning | SSW 30 - 40 | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 25 - 35 | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 35 - 45 | SSE 20 - 30 | SSW 45 - 65 | SSW 50 - 70 | SW 55 - 75 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 50 - 70 | S 30 - 40 | SSW 45 - 60 | SSW 40 - 55 | SW 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 35 - 50 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 15 - 25 | SSW 20 - 30 | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 | SSW 5 - 15 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 | SW 5 - 15 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | S 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 35 - 50 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSE 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | S 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | SSW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 45 - 65 |
| Wednesday Evening | SSW 45 - 60 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SSW 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Evening | SSW 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SSW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 55 - 75 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 40 - 55 |
| Wednesday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
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 Jan 14, 2020
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