Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k I Extended Weather
Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Wednesday
The upper-level ridge over the central Pacific continues to keep the trough over our region into the foreseeable future, maintaining temperatures below seasonal norms. A frontal system moved through the region Monday and Monday night, bringing significant snow amounts near and west of the Cascade Crest. A cold upper trough lingered across the region on Tuesday and continues to bring scattered light to moderate snow showers that have been heaviest further south, particularly at Mt. Hood.
An upper and surface low-pressure center off the western tip of Vancouver Island should drop SE toward the mouth of the Columbia River by Wednesday morning. This feature should maintain generally light but locally intense snow shower activity, mainly near and west of the Cascade Crest from the central Washington Cascades southward. Weather models generally show a convergence band setting up somewhere between Snoqualmie Pass to southern Snohomish County, which could bring around a half-foot of snow to some areas, whereas nearby areas can expect 1-3". Paradise and Mt. Hood should also expect 4-6" of snow with more sustained westerly flow helping enhance snow totals.
Snow shower activity should continue to migrate southward on Wednesday, with snowfall decreasing slightly as westerly flow decreases further as the offshore low slides east of the Cascades, switching flow northerly. The highest snow totals continuing to focus on Mt. Hood where another 3-5" are expected. The Washington Cascades may receive up to 3" of snow, mainly south of highway 2, but snow showers and graupel showers are likely to expand throughout the Cascades and become locally more intense during the afternoon. The north slopes of the Olympics should pick up some steadier light snowfall with upslope mountain enhancement.
The upper trough shifts eastward Wednesday night, leaving our region on the back edge through Thursday. Very light snow showers linger Wednesday night. A weak disturbance passing on NW flow may bring some enhanced snow showers on Thursday.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Tuesday Night | Isolated light snow showers. |
| Wednesday | Steadier light snow or snow showers with light to occasionally moderate northerly flow. Snow accumulations are likely above 1500-2000 ft. |
Mt. Baker
| Tuesday Night | Decreasing isolated light snow showers. Partial clearing skies. |
| Wednesday | Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Tuesday Night | Light snow showers near the Cascade Crest, mainly central Cascades. |
| Wednesday | Scattered light snow showers, mainly south of highway 2 in the morning. Scattered light snow showers increasing in coverage throughout the region in the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Tuesday Night | Scattered light snow showers with 1-3" of snow expected in areas not impacted by convergence. Convergence bands may bring overnight amounts closer to 6" in some areas. Light W winds at Pass level. Light to moderate 5000 ft winds in the evening decreasing and becoming light by midnight. |
| Wednesday | Scattered light snow showers with sun breaks likely. Snow showers increasing slightly in the afternoon. Increasing light W winds through the Passes and at 5000 ft. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Tuesday Night | Light snow showers, heaviest during the evening hours. |
| Wednesday | Light snow showers becoming more convective and intense during the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Tuesday Night | Light to moderate snow showers. Moderate 5000 ft winds. |
| Wednesday | Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Moderate 5000 ft winds becoming light to moderate. |
Issued: 2:50 PM PDT Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' | 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | 2000' | 1000' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 1500' | 500' | 500' | 1500' | 1000' | 1000' | 1500' | 1500' |
| Thursday Morning | Snow Level | 1500' | 1500' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' | 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level | 2000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 2500' | 2500' | 2500' | 3000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 3000' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 2500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Thursday 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
| Tuesday Night | Wednesday | Wednesday Night | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | 0.50 |
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 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: 2:50 PM PDT Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 5 - 15 | WSW 0 - 10 | W 15 - 25 | W 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 0 - 10 | N 0 - 10 | W 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | N 5 - 15 | ENE 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 | N 5 - 15 | WNW 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | N 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | N 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | N 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WSW 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Night | N 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | ENE 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | N 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Night | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 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.
Free Winds at 9000' (mph)
| Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 5 - 15 | WNW 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | NNW 0 - 10 | NNW 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | N 5 - 15 | N 0 - 10 | W 5 - 15 | WNW 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 | WNW 5 - 15 | NNW 5 - 15 | NNW 5 - 15 | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Night | NNW 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Morning | N 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Night | NNW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Morning | N 0 - 10 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Morning | WNW 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | NNW 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Night | W 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WNW 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.
Issued: 2:50 PM PDT Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Wednesday
NW flow maintains some light snow shower activity near and west of the Cascade Crest Thursday night, Friday and Friday night with models diverging regarding the potential for a weak ridge on Saturday possibly limiting snow shower activity and possibly bringing some periods of sunshine. East of the Cascade Crest, significantly more sunshine can be expected throughout the period. Snow levels remain below pass level throughout the period.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 500' - 2500' | 500' - 2500' | 1000' - 3000' | |
| Friday | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 500' - 1500' | 1000' - 2500' | |
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 1000' | 500' - 1500' | 1500' - 2500' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 0' - 1500' | 500' - 2000' | 1500' - 3000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 2500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 1000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 0' - 1500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 2500' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 500' - 2000' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 1000' - 3000' |
| Friday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2500' |
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 1500' - 2500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 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 30, 2020
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