Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Thursday
On Wednesday, the Pacific Northwest continues to sit between a robust and relatively stationary high pressure off the northern coast of California and a deep low over Hudson's Bay. The jetstream lies to our north, taking today's storm track and precipitation on a higher-latitude trajectory than previously expected. The result will be even warmer than anticipated for Wednesday, with relatively drier weather and lower wind speeds.
The atmosphere this morning is very stable on Wednesday morning, meaning that the temperature doesn't decrease significantly with height as you normally expect. Temperatures are in the low-to-mid 30's at most NWAC stations, including Camp Muir!
What little precipitation does fall today will be mostly very light rain or high elevation snow above treeline in the north or central Cascades.
Conditions today will feature moderate to strong westerly flow in the alpine with light to moderate winds at pass level.
Tonight, W-SW winds will increase to the moderate-to-strong range by morning at crest level and snow levels will begin lowing slightly as the jetstream drops southward, pushing the ridge back south.
A reasonably strong, but relatively moisture-starved surface cold front associated with a short-wave trough will cross the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, arriving in the Olympics and NW Cascades around 10 AM and reaching Mt. Hood during the evening hours.
Snow levels will drop significantly behind the front with rain changing back to snow at many mid-elevation locations between 4 and 7 PM, with a changeover at Snoqualmie Pass likely after 7 PM. Most precipitation will be with light post-frontal showers behind the cold front, with light snowfall accumulation from Snoqualmie Pass northward Thursday afternoon and evening. Thursday
Weather Forecast
Olympics
| Wednesday | Partly cloudy with filtered sunlight. Moderate ridgetop westerly winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Fair with partly cloudy skies. Moderate ridgetop W-SW winds increasing to strong at times. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Strong ridgetop W-SW winds. |
| Thursday Night | Becoming mostly clear. Moderate ridgetop westerly winds. |
Washington Cascades near and west of the Crest including Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Passes
| Wednesday | Decreasing generally very light rain or snow early, central and north part. Filtered sunlight south Cascades in the morning becoming filtered sunlight in the afternoon in the central Cascades with partly cloudy skies to the north. Moderate crest-level westerly winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly high clouds. Crest-level winds becoming moderate to strong. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy in the morning from Snoqualmie Pass northward, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Expect filtered sunlight further south in the morning with low clouds moving in during the afternoon. Moderate to strong W-SW crest-level winds. |
| Thursday Night | Mostly cloudy with westerly winds decreasing. |
East Slopes of the Washington Cascades
| Wednesday | Decreasing generally very light rain or snow early, central and north part. Filtered sunlight south Cascades in the morning becoming filtered sunlight in the afternoon in the central Cascades with partly cloudy skies to the north. Moderate crest-level westerly winds. |
| Wednesday Night | Mostly high clouds. Crest-level winds becoming moderate to strong. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy in the morning from Snoqualmie Pass northward, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Expect filtered sunlight further south. Moderate to strong W-SW crest-level winds. |
| Thursday Night | Becoming partly to mostly clear with westerly winds decreasing. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Low clouds dissipating early, then increasing high clouds. |
| Wednesday Night | High clouds. |
| Thursday | Increasing clouds in the afternoon. |
| Thursday Night | Mostly cloudy. |
Issued: 7:43 AM PST Wednesday, February 7, 2018
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 | 8000' | 4500' | 5500' | ' | ' | 7000' | ' | 9500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 8000' | 5500' | 6000' | ' | ' | 7500' | ' | 9000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 6500' | 5000' | 5500' | ' | ' | 6500' | ' | 9000' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 5000' | 4000' | 4000' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 8000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | ' | ' | 4000' | ' | 8500' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' | ' | ' | 3000' | ' | 4500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level ' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level ' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 9500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 9000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 9000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8500' |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 4500' |
* 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
| Thursday | Thursday | |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | 0 - 0.50 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
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: 7:43 AM PST Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | --- - | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 | W 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | --- - | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 25 - 40 | WSW 20 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 | --- - | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 30 - 40 | --- - | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 25 - 35 | --- - | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 5 - 15 | --- - | W 20 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 35 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 25 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Night | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 20 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 20 - 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 40 - 60 | W 45 - 65 | WNW 45 - 65 | --- - | NW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 45 - 65 | W 50 - 70 | W 50 - 70 | --- - | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 50 - 70 | WSW 60 - 80 | WSW 60 - 80 | --- - | W 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 50 - 70 | W 40 - 60 | --- - | W 60 - 80 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 | W 40 - 60 | --- - | W 55 - 75 |
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | WNW 35 - 55 | --- - | NW 45 - 65 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 45 - 65 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 45 - 65 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Thursday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 45 - 65 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 50 - 70 |
| Wednesday Night | WSW 60 - 80 |
| Thursday Morning | W 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 40 - 60 |
| Thursday Night | WNW 35 - 55 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | --- - |
| Wednesday Afternoon | --- - |
| Wednesday Night | --- - |
| Thursday Morning | --- - |
| Thursday Afternoon | --- - |
| Thursday Night | --- - |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | NW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | W 50 - 70 |
| Thursday Morning | W 60 - 80 |
| Thursday Afternoon | W 55 - 75 |
| Thursday Night | NW 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.
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Previous forecast from Feb 6, 2018
The NWAC program is administered by the USDA-Forest Service and operates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle. NWAC services are made possible by important collaboration and support from a wide variety of federal, state and private cooperators.