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 Monday night through Wednesday
A broad upper level trough envelops western Canada with NW flow aloft over the PNW allowing weak disturbances to impact the area over the short term. Strong surface high pressure over the interior of British Columbia and lower pressure along the WA/OR coast will push modified arctic air into eastern WA and through the Fraser River Valley. Scattered showers have transitioned to light continuous snow this afternoon from roughly Stevens Pass and southward as a weak low pressure system races across central Oregon. More moderate snowfall totals are likely for Mt. Hood closer to the low.
A weak surface low will return off the WA/OR coast this evening, and once again rotate showers up into the west slopes of the Cascades through Tuesday, with the best chances for additional light snow accumulations from Snoqualmie Pass and south to Mt. Hood. Expect cloudy skies for most areas on Tuesday.
Forecast models show a weak upper level shortwave clipping the northwest Cascades and the Olympics Tuesday night resulting in a round of light snow. With higher pressure over eastern Washington and a deep low pressure system approaching our coast on Wednesday, offshore easterly winds will crank up. This will probably be the most significant east wind event we've seen this winter with strong easterlies likely up to crest level. It will be seasonably cold - mountain temperatures will settle near 0F along the north Cascades to single digits to teens for areas further south over the next few days.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Monday Night | Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Cold. |
| Tuesday | Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Cold. |
Mt. Baker
| Monday Night | Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Cold. |
| Tuesday | Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Cold. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Monday Night | Cloudy with scattered light snow showers. Cold. |
| Tuesday | Mostly cloudy with isolated light snow showers. Cold. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Monday Night | Cloudy with light snow becoming showers after midnight. Variable wind in the Passes. Cold. |
| Tuesday | Cloudy with light snow showers. Cold. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Monday Night | Cloudy with light snow becoming showers after midnight. Cold. |
| Tuesday | Cloudy with light snow showers. Cold. |
Mt. Hood
| Monday Night | Light to moderate snow becoming showers after midnight. Cold. |
| Tuesday | Light to occasionally moderate snow showers. Cold. |
Issued: 2:04 PM PST Monday, January 13, 2020
Snow/Freezing Level (ft)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Washington Pass | Leavenworth | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass | Mt. Hood | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Evening | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 500' | 2000' |
| Monday Night | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 1000' |
| Tuesday Morning | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Tuesday Evening | Snow Level | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Tuesday Night | Snow Level* | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Wednesday Morning | Snow Level* | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level* | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 500' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening |
Snow Level 2000' |
| Monday Night |
Snow Level 1000' |
| Tuesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Evening |
Snow Level 0' |
| Tuesday Night |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 0' (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
| Monday Night | Tuesday | Tuesday Night | Wednesday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | 0.25 | 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | 0.25 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | 0.75 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.25 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.25 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.10 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | 0 |
| Tuesday Night | 0 |
| Wednesday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | 0.75 |
| Tuesday | 0.50 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday | LT 0.10 |
| Tuesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Wednesday | 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: 2:04 PM PST Monday, January 13, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Evening | VAR 0 - 10 | E 5 - 15 | VAR 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | VAR 0 - 10 | E 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 5 - 15 | E 0 - 10 | W 5 - 15 | W 0 - 10 | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 | VAR 0 - 10 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | E 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | E 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 20 - 30 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | E 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | E 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Morning | E 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 5 - 15 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | SW 0 - 10 |
| Monday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 0 - 10 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Monday Night | W 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 | W 20 - 30 | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Night | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 25 - 35 | WSW 20 - 30 | W 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 | WSW 10 - 20 | W 20 - 30 | W 20 - 30 | W 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 | WSW 15 - 25 | W 25 - 35 | W 25 - 35 | W 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Monday Night | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Morning | WSW 10 - 20 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Monday Night | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 20 - 30 |
| Monday Night | WSW 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 20 - 30 |
| Tuesday Afternoon | W 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Monday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Monday Night | W 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday Morning | W 35 - 45 |
| Tuesday 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: 2:04 PM PST Monday, January 13, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Wednesday night through Friday
The N-S oriented cold front will weaken and split as it moves into western Washington Wednesday night with only light amounts of snow expected for the Cascades. After Wednesday night a progressive weather pattern remains but forecast models are in poor agreement on the timing and strength of various frontal systems. There's higher confidence that the cold air mass that has been over the region begins to moderate toward the end of the week.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | * |
| Thursday | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | * |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 500' | 500' - 1500' | * |
| Friday | Snow Level | 0' - 500' | 0' - 500' | 1000' - 2000' | * |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 0' - 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 0' - 500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 500' - 1500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday |
Snow Level 1000' - 2000' (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. 13, 2020
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.