Issued: 1:58 PM PDT Saturday, March 21, 2020
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Tuesday

We will start tonight with mostly clear skies after another fine sunny day in the mountains that saw freezing levels generally in the 6500-7000' range. Freezing levels will take their usual nocturnal dip for the central and northern Cascades, but should stay elevated over the Olympics, south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood. 

Sunday will be a transition day as we turn the page to a cooler, wetter spring-time weather pattern. High clouds will begin to stream over the Olympics and northwest Cascades late tonight, eventually becoming a high overcast later in the day. Areas further south should see mild temperatures and mostly sunny skies initially before periods of filtered sunshine begin in the afternoon. Mt. Hood on the southern periphery of the cloud shield will squeeze out the most sun and warmest temperatures. Pre-frontal winds will increase over the Olympics and Mt. Baker area and above Cascade crest level in general Sunday afternoon.

The low pressure system will drop south along the B.C. coastline Sunday with precipitation moving inland slowly Sunday night. The front will pass through the Cascades early Monday morning as the upper level low remains parked off our coast. Steady precipitation will quickly transition to widespread showers Monday afternoon. Monday should be a cool showery day with snow levels hovering around 2500'-3000'.  This system should produce generally light new snowfall accumulations with slightly heftier totals possible for the volcanoes through Monday afternoon. 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Saturday Night Mostly clear with periods of high clouds after midnight.
Mt. Baker
Saturday Night Mostly clear with periods of high clouds after midnight.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Saturday Night Mostly clear with periods of high clouds after midnight.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Saturday Night Mostly clear with periods of high clouds after midnight.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Saturday Night Mostly clear.
Mt. Hood
Saturday Night Mostly clear.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Saturday Evening Freezing Level 7000' 6000' 4500' 6500' 6000' 6500' 7000' 7000'
Saturday Night Freezing Level 7000' 4500' 2500' 5000' 4500' 5000' 6500' 7000'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level 7500' 5000' 5000' 6000' 5000' 5500' 7000' 7500'
Sunday Afternoon Freezing Level 6000' 6000' 7000' 7500' 7000' 7000' 7500' 8000'
Sunday Evening Freezing Level 4000' 4000' 4500' 5500' 4500' 4500' 5500' 6500'
Sunday Night Snow Level 2500' 2500' 3000' 4000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 4000'
Monday Morning Snow Level 2000' 2000' 2000' 2500' 2500' 2500' 2500' 2500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
7000'
Saturday Night Freezing Level
7000'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
7500'
Sunday Afternoon Freezing Level
6000'
Sunday Evening Freezing Level
4000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
2500'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
6000'
Saturday Night Freezing Level
4500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
5000'
Sunday Afternoon Freezing Level
6000'
Sunday Evening Freezing Level
4000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
2500'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Washington Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
4500'
Saturday Night Freezing Level
2500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
5000'
Sunday Afternoon Freezing Level
7000'
Sunday Evening Freezing Level
4500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Leavenworth Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
6500'
Saturday Night Freezing Level
5000'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
6000'
Sunday Afternoon Freezing Level
7500'
Sunday Evening Freezing Level
5500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
4000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
6000'
Saturday Night Freezing Level
4500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
5000'
Sunday Afternoon Freezing Level
7000'
Sunday Evening Freezing Level
4500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
6500'
Saturday Night Freezing Level
5000'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
5500'
Sunday Afternoon Freezing Level
7000'
Sunday Evening Freezing Level
4500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
7000'
Saturday Night Freezing Level
6500'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
7000'
Sunday Afternoon Freezing Level
7500'
Sunday Evening Freezing Level
5500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3500'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening Freezing Level
7000'
Saturday Night Freezing Level
7000'
Sunday Morning Freezing Level
7500'
Sunday Afternoon Freezing Level
8000'
Sunday Evening Freezing Level
6500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
4000'
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'

* 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

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

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Saturday Evening N 0 - 10 NE 0 - 10 WNW 5 - 15 N 5 - 15 W 0 - 10
Saturday Night W 0 - 10 N 0 - 10 W 0 - 10 VAR 0 - 10 VAR 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 5 - 15 SW 5 - 15 SW 0 - 10 SW 0 - 10 SW 0 - 10
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Saturday Evening N 0 - 10
Saturday Night W 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Mt. Baker Elevation
Saturday Evening NE 0 - 10
Saturday Night N 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Saturday Evening WNW 5 - 15
Saturday Night W 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Saturday Evening N 5 - 15
Saturday Night VAR 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Elevation
Saturday Evening W 0 - 10
Saturday Night VAR 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon W 5 - 15
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening N 0 - 10
Saturday Night W 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening NE 0 - 10
Saturday Night N 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening WNW 5 - 15
Saturday Night W 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening N 5 - 15
Saturday Night VAR 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10
Sunday Afternoon SW 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening W 0 - 10
Saturday Night VAR 0 - 10
Sunday Morning SW 0 - 10
Sunday 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
Saturday Evening N 15 - 25 NNW 20 - 30 NW 15 - 25 N 10 - 20 N 0 - 10
Saturday Night NW 10 - 20 NW 10 - 20 NW 10 - 20 NW 10 - 20 NW 5 - 15
Sunday Morning W 20 - 30 W 15 - 25 NW 10 - 20 NW 10 - 20 NW 5 - 15
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening N 15 - 25
Saturday Night NW 10 - 20
Sunday Morning W 20 - 30
Sunday Afternoon SW 30 - 40
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening NNW 20 - 30
Saturday Night NW 10 - 20
Sunday Morning W 15 - 25
Sunday Afternoon SW 30 - 40
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening NW 15 - 25
Saturday Night NW 10 - 20
Sunday Morning NW 10 - 20
Sunday Afternoon WSW 20 - 30
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening N 10 - 20
Saturday Night NW 10 - 20
Sunday Morning NW 10 - 20
Sunday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Saturday Evening N 0 - 10
Saturday Night NW 5 - 15
Sunday Morning NW 5 - 15
Sunday Afternoon W 10 - 20

Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Tuesday

The upper low will weaken into an open trough Tuesday and slowly exit the region on Wednesday. Daytime showers will kick-off an increase in afternoon showers Tuesday afternoon and to a lesser degree on Wednesday. Tuesday looks like it might have the right combination of instability with sunshine to produce a few thunderstorms. Snow levels will remain cool through the extended period. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Monday Night Snow Level 1000' - 2000' 1000' - 2000' 1500' - 2500'
Tuesday Snow Level 2000' - 3000' 2000' - 3000' 2000' - 3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level 1000' - 2000' 1000' - 2000' 1000' - 2000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Monday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Tuesday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Wednesday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Monday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Tuesday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Wednesday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Monday Night Snow Level
1500' - 2500'
Tuesday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Wednesday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'

* 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 Mar 21, 2020

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