Mountain Weather Forecast
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 Tuesday
The widespread shower activity in NW flow that has been hammering the Olympics, west slopes of the Cascades and Mt. Hood region all day will begin to transition to lighter shower activity tonight, except in and around a Puget Sound Convergence zone (PSCZ). The PSCZ is forming this afternoon and should start around Stevens Pass and slide south toward Snoqualmie Pass this evening, producing more moderate snowfall accumulations for affected areas. Modified arctic air will begin spilling out of the Fraser River tonight and in the process start a drying trend relative to the rest of the area for the north Cascades. Strong surface high pressure over interior B.C. will continue to push cold air to both sides of the Cascades over the next few days, keeping snow levels near sea level and mountain temperatures in the single digits and teens before accounting for any wind chill.
As orographic showers taper down late tonight through Monday morning, a low pressure system will traverse central Oregon during the day. This weather system will once again bring more light to moderate snow to Mt. Hood and the south Washington Cascades with lighter snow as far north as Stevens Pass.
Westerly flow will keep light snow showers in the forecast through Tuesday. Over this period, snow showers will be lightest over the north slopes of the Olympics, the north Cascades and the east slopes of the Cascades with heavier accumulations for the south Washington Cascades and Mt. Hood.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Sunday Night | Scattered light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Light upslope snow developing along the northern slope of the Olympics late tonight. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers, slightly heavier northern slopes of the Olympics. |
Mt. Baker
| Sunday Night | Light to occasionally moderate snow showers becoming scattered overnight. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with periods of light snow. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Sunday Night | Light to occasionally moderate snow showers, heaviest near the crest becoming scattered overnight. |
| Monday | Mostly cloudy with periods of light snow. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Sunday Night | Light to moderate snow showers, heaviest in a Puget Sound Convergence zone, becoming scattered late tonight. Strong west winds at Pass level, lighter at Stevens Pass. |
| Monday | Cloudy with scattered snow showers becoming light snow in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Sunday Night | Light to moderate snow showers, becoming scattered late tonight. |
| Monday | Cloudy with scattered snow showers becoming light snow in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Sunday Night | Light to moderate snow showers. Very windy. |
| Monday | Light to occasionally moderate snow. |
Issued: 2:12 PM PST Sunday, January 12, 2020
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 | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' |
| Sunday Night | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Monday Morning | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Monday Afternoon | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 1000' |
| Monday Evening | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 1500' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 1000' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening |
Snow Level 500' |
| Sunday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Afternoon |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 1500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 500' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 500' |
* 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 | Monday | Monday Night | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.25 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | LT 0.25 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Monday | 0.50 |
| Monday Night | 0.50 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Sunday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Monday | LT 0.10 |
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 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: 2:12 PM PST Sunday, January 12, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | SW 0 - 10 | NE 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 | W 15 - 25 | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | SW 0 - 10 | E 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 | E 5 - 15 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Monday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Monday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | NE 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | SW 0 - 10 |
| Monday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Monday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Sunday Night | NE 5 - 15 |
| Monday Morning | E 5 - 15 |
| Monday Afternoon | E 5 - 15 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 15 - 25 |
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 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 20 - 30 | W 30 - 40 | W 60 - 70 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WNW 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 60 - 70 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 25 - 35 | W 30 - 40 | W 50 - 60 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 35 - 45 | W 25 - 35 | W 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | SW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | W 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Sunday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Monday Afternoon | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Sunday Night | WNW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Morning | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 30 - 40 |
| Sunday Night | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Sunday Evening | W 60 - 70 |
| Sunday Night | W 60 - 70 |
| Monday Morning | W 50 - 60 |
| Monday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
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: 2:12 PM PST Sunday, January 12, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Thursday
Offshore and northerly gradients should tighten on Wednesday as a stronger surface low approaches the area. Mostly dry conditions are expected but strong easterly wind should reach crest level and a reinforcing shot of cold air will be pulled east through the mountain gaps.
There's high uncertainty for this storm's track, with some models keeping the system over Oregon and others lifting it over the region from south to north Wednesday night through Thursday. Snow levels will remain near sea level over this period.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | * |
| Wednesday | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | * |
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
* 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. 12, 2020
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