Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Saturday
415 Update: Moderate snow along the east slopes of the Cascades Saturday morning
A strong low pressure system will approach from the west tonight with warm frontal moisture reaching the Olympics and Mt. Hood area this evening and snow spreading to all areas by early Saturday morning. Easterly offshore gradients will increase overnight with strong winds developing through the Cascade Passes and for their western approaches. Strong south winds will also quickly ramp up for the Olympics and Mt. Baker area in advance of the cold front late tonight through tomorrow morning.
The cold front should sweep through the Cascades mid-day with a brief switch to westerly winds Saturday afternoon. As the air mass mixes and relatively milder Pacific air is brought into the region, snow levels will actually rise during the afternoon. Post-frontal showers look light from Snoqualmie Pass and south with more moderate showers for the central and northern Cascades.
Showers should linger the longest over the Mt. Baker area Saturday night while tapering off elsewhere for the Cascades. A strong upper level ridge will begin to amplify over the inland NW Saturday night slowing the next warm frontal band to approach the coast. Easterly offshore flow will increase once again Sunday as most of the precipitation stays over the Olympic peninsula and the north Cascades. Depending on how fast this feature lifts north, there may be a clearing trend for the Mt. Hood area and the south/central Washington Cascades. Free-air freezing levels will be on the rise west of the Cascade crest Sunday, however cool east flow through the Passes will create multiple freezing levels with colder air near the surface and warmer air at upper elevations.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Friday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow developing this evening with increasing winds overnight. |
| Saturday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming scattered light showers late morning. Strong winds decreasing in the afternoon. Warming trend. |
Mt. Baker
| Friday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow developing late this evening with increasing winds overnight. |
| Saturday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming moderate showers mid-day. Strong winds decreasing in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Friday Night | Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers this evening. Light snow developing late. |
| Saturday | Moderate snow becoming light scattered showers in the early afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Friday Night | Scattered snow showers this evening. Light snow developing after midnight. Strong east winds at Pass level. |
| Saturday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming light to moderate showers mid-day. Strong east winds becoming moderate west in the afternoon. Slow warming trend. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Friday Night | Scattered snow showers early then light snow developing in the late evening. |
| Saturday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming light scattered showers mid-day. Slow warming trend. |
Mt. Hood
| Friday Night | Light to moderate rain and snow developing in the evening. |
| Saturday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming light scattered showers mid-day. Slow warming trend. |
Issued: 4:17 PM PST Friday, January 17, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | Snow Level * | 1000' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 500' | 2000' |
| Friday Night | Snow Level * | 2500' | 500' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 500' | 2000' |
| Saturday Morning | Snow Level * | 3000' | 500' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 1500' | 3000' |
| Saturday Afternoon | Snow Level | 3500' | 2000' | 0' | 0' | 1500' | 2000' | 3500' | 4500' |
| Saturday Evening | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3500' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 3000' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level * | 4500' | 3500' | 1000' | 1500' | 2500' | 3000' | 4500' | 5500' |
| Sunday Morning | Snow Level * | 5500' | 4000' | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 4000' | 5000' | 6000' |
| Sunday Afternoon | Freezing Level * | 7000' | 6000' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | 6000' | 7000' | 8000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 2000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Saturday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Sunday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 8000' (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
| Friday 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 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.50 | 1.00 - 1.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.75 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| White Pass | LT 0.25 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.50 |
| Saturday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Saturday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | 0 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Saturday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Friday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Saturday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Saturday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Saturday | 0 |
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: 4:17 PM PST Friday, January 17, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SE 10 - 20 | S 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | SE 10 - 20 | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | S 25 - 35 | SE 15 - 25 | SE 15 - 25 | SE 15 - 25 | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 | S 25 - 35 | SE 15 - 25 | S 20 - 30 | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 | SSW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | S 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 25 - 35 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SE 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SE 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Morning | S 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | S 5 - 15 |
| Friday Night | S 10 - 20 |
| Saturday Morning | S 15 - 25 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night | SW 35 - 45 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 40 - 50 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 50 - 60 | SW 50 - 60 | SW 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 35 - 45 | WSW 35 - 45 | WSW 30 - 40 | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | SW 10 - 20 |
| Friday Night | SW 20 - 30 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Saturday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Friday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Friday Evening | WSW 30 - 40 |
| Friday Night | SW 30 - 40 |
| Saturday Morning | SW 50 - 60 |
| Saturday Afternoon | WSW 35 - 45 |
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: 4:17 PM PST Friday, January 17, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Saturday night through Saturday
This pattern will continue Sunday night until an upper level shortwave finally kicks the quasi-stationary frontal boundary through on Monday for another round of snow and rain. A progressive pattern of quick moving systems continues through midweek with the potential for a stronger wetter system toward Wednesday or Thursday.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 5000' - 6000' | 3000' - 5000' | 3000' - 5000' | * |
| Monday | Snow Level | 3500' - 4500' | 3500' - 4500' | 4500' - 5500' | * |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 1500' - 2500' | 2500' - 3500' | 3000' - 4000' | * |
| Tuesday | Snow Level | 2000' - 3000' | 2000' - 3000' | 2500' - 3500' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 5000' - 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday |
Snow Level 3500' - 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2000' - 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday |
Snow Level 4500' - 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 3000' - 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Tuesday |
Snow Level 2500' - 3500' (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 17, 2020
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