Issued: 2:27 PM PDT Sunday, March 29, 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 Sunday night through Saturday

An active cool weather pattern will continue through the end of March. A frontal system that passed through Saturday night brought several inches of snow above 4500' along the west slopes of the Cascades, Olympics, and Mt. Hood. The exception was the Mt. Baker area which pulled down 3+" water equivalent with at least 20" of snow as snow levels hovered near 4200'. 

Moving into tonight, showers will wind down briefly before the last in our series of organized winter-like storms approaches the area. A low pressure system will drop south along the British Columbia coast tonight, with precipitation spreading inland to the Cascades after midnight. The cold front should pass through the Cascades mid-morning with significant shower activity following the front through the afternoon and evening. Southerly winds will increase ahead of the front tonight and become gusty out of the W-SW on Monday. A strong jet will move into the region on Monday, keeping the strongest wind focused on the south Washington Cascades and the Mt. Hood area. 1-2' of snow should be the norm across the west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood with lower amounts along the eastern slopes. As much colder air filters in behind the front on Monday, look for snow levels to fall well below Pass levels in the afternoon and overnight. 

The upper low associated with the frontal system will slowly sag south and approach the Washington border on Tuesday. We are in for another round of showers that will increase in the afternoon and continue well into the evening with an unstable air mass overhead. While the odd thunderstorm can't be ruled out, there's a better chance for graupel in heavier showers. Instability should spread to the east slopes of the Cascades beginning Tuesday, meaning showers will both carry over the crest and initiate from the higher terrain on the east side. 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Sunday Night Rain and snow developing and increasing late this evening. Strong winds.
Mt. Baker
Sunday Night Moderate rain and snow developing and increasing late this evening. Strong winds.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Sunday Night Light rain and snow developing later this evening.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Sunday Night Light rain and snow developing later this evening. Light east winds at Pass level becoming moderate overnight.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Sunday Night Light rain and snow developing later this evening and becoming moderate overnight. Strong winds developing.
Mt. Hood
Sunday Night Light rain and snow developing later this evening and increasing late tonight. Very strong winds developing.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Sunday Evening Snow Level 3500' 3500' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4000' 4500' 5000'
Sunday Night Snow Level * 3500' 3500' 3000' 4000' 3000' 3000' 4000' 4500'
Monday Morning Snow Level 2000' 2500' 3000' 4000' 3000' 3000' 3000' 4500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level 2000' 2000' 2500' 3500' 2500' 2500' 2500' 3000'
Monday Evening Snow Level 1500' 1500' 2000' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2500'
Monday Night Snow Level 1000' 1000' 1000' 1500' 1500' 1500' 1500' 2000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level 1500' 1500' 1500' 2500' 2000' 2000' 2000' 2500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Monday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Monday Night Snow Level
1000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2000'
Monday Evening Snow Level
1500'
Monday Night Snow Level
1000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Washington Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Monday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Monday Night Snow Level
1000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Leavenworth Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
4000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Monday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Monday Night Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Monday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Monday Night Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Monday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Monday Night Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
4500'
Sunday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Monday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Monday Night Snow Level
1500'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
Tuesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening Snow Level
5000'
Sunday Night Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Monday Morning Snow Level
4500'
Monday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
Monday Evening Snow Level
2500'
Monday Night Snow Level
2000'
Tuesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Tuesday 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

Sunday Night Saturday Saturday Night Saturday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 LT 0.25 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 1.00 1.00 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass LT 0.25 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Leavenworth LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge LT 0.10 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Crystal Mt 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.10 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise 0.75 0.75 -1.00 0.25 - 0.50 0.50
White Pass 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows 0.25 - 0.50 0.75 -1.00 0.50 0.25
0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.50
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night 1.00
Saturday 1.00
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night 0.25
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Saturday 0.25
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday Night 0.25
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Saturday LT 0.25
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night 0.75
Saturday 0.75 -1.00
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.50
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Saturday 0.75 -1.00
Saturday Night 0.50
Saturday 0.25
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Sunday Night 0.50
Saturday 1.00 - 1.50
Saturday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Saturday 0.25 - 0.50

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Sunday Evening S 20 - 30 S 25 - 35 SE 10 - 20 S 15 - 25 SW 20 - 30
Sunday Night S 25 - 35 S 30 - 40 SE 15 - 25 S 20 - 30 S 20 - 30
Monday Morning SW 15 - 25 SW 15 - 25 SW 20 - 30 WSW 20 - 30 W 25 - 35
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Sunday Evening S 20 - 30
Sunday Night S 25 - 35
Monday Morning SW 15 - 25
Monday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Evening S 25 - 35
Sunday Night S 30 - 40
Monday Morning SW 15 - 25
Monday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Evening SE 10 - 20
Sunday Night SE 15 - 25
Monday Morning SW 20 - 30
Monday Afternoon WSW 20 - 30
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Sunday Evening S 15 - 25
Sunday Night S 20 - 30
Monday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Monday Afternoon WSW 20 - 30
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Evening SW 20 - 30
Sunday Night S 20 - 30
Monday Morning W 25 - 35
Monday Afternoon W 25 - 35
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening S 20 - 30
Sunday Night S 25 - 35
Monday Morning SW 15 - 25
Monday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening S 25 - 35
Sunday Night S 30 - 40
Monday Morning SW 15 - 25
Monday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening SE 10 - 20
Sunday Night SE 15 - 25
Monday Morning SW 20 - 30
Monday Afternoon WSW 20 - 30
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening S 15 - 25
Sunday Night S 20 - 30
Monday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Monday Afternoon WSW 20 - 30
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening SW 20 - 30
Sunday Night S 20 - 30
Monday Morning W 25 - 35
Monday Afternoon W 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
Sunday Evening SW 30 - 40 SW 25 - 35 SW 30 - 40 SW 25 - 35 WSW 35 - 45
Sunday Night SSW 50 - 60 S 45 - 55 SW 40 - 50 SW 50 - 70 SW 50 - 70
Monday Morning SW 40 - 50 SSW 35 - 45 SW 50 - 60 SW 50 - 70 SW 60 - 80
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening SW 30 - 40
Sunday Night SSW 50 - 60
Monday Morning SW 40 - 50
Monday Afternoon SW 25 - 35
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening SW 25 - 35
Sunday Night S 45 - 55
Monday Morning SSW 35 - 45
Monday Afternoon SW 25 - 35
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening SW 30 - 40
Sunday Night SW 40 - 50
Monday Morning SW 50 - 60
Monday Afternoon WSW 40 - 50
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening SW 25 - 35
Sunday Night SW 50 - 70
Monday Morning SW 50 - 70
Monday Afternoon SW 40 - 50
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Sunday Evening WSW 35 - 45
Sunday Night SW 50 - 70
Monday Morning SW 60 - 80
Monday Afternoon SW 60 - 80

Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday

Wednesday should be a near repeat of Tuesday, perhaps with some more sunbreaks. Snow levels will be unseasonably cold through the extended with downright frigid temperatures for early April possible Wednesday night into Thursday. The low centered over our offshore waters will finally weaken and pass inland on Thursday. We remain under cool NW flow aloft and snow showers will remain in the forecast. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Tuesday Night Snow Level 500' - 1500' 500' - 1500' 1000' - 2000'
Wednesday Snow Level 1500' - 2500' 2000' - 3000' 2000' - 3000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level 0' - 500' 0' - 500' 0' - 1000'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Night Snow Level
500' - 1500'
Wednesday Snow Level
1500' - 2500'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
0' - 500'
Thursday Snow Level
500' - 1500'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Night Snow Level
500' - 1500'
Wednesday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
0' - 500'
Thursday Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1000' - 2000'
Wednesday Snow Level
2000' - 3000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level
0' - 1000'
Thursday Snow Level
1500' - 2500'

* 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 28, 2020

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