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Mountain Weather Forecast

Issued: 6:41 AM PST Wednesday, January 22, 2020
by Dallas Glass

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k

Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Thursday

Look for rain, snow, and moderate winds to spread through the mountains Wednesday moving from the south and west to the north and east. The bulk of the precipitation should focus on the southern volcanoes and west-slopes of the Cascades from about I90 south. While you may see a few showers spilling over the Cascades to areas east of the Crest, this round doesn't seem to pack quite enough punch to bring significant moisture to the eastern zones during the day. Snow levels will hang around about 3000' for most areas Wednesday. Warmer air should move in from the south impacting the Hood and southern portions of the Washington Cascades in the afternoon.

The big story overnight and Thursday will be continued warming. Snow levels should continue to rise well into the near treeline areas causing snow to change over to rain. Cold air will try to hold tight in valleys east of the Cascades, but the warm air eventually wins in nearly all locations. Moderate to heavy rain and high elevation snow will continue through this time period. Precipitation appears to spill over the Crest, particularly in places north of Hwy 2. Temperatures should slip down slightly late Thursday, but this decrease won't be enough to see a return to snow. 

Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ridge
Rain and snow showers. Winds becoming southerly and increasing in the afternoon.
Mt. Baker
Rain and snow showers. Moderate southerly winds increasing in the afternoon.
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
Mostly cloudy. Rain and snow showers. Moderate westerly winds.
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
Rain and snow increasing in the afternoon. Light east flow at the Passes. Moderate ridgetop wind shifting from the SW to the SE.
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
Moderate to occasionally heavy rain and snow. Highest precipitation on the Volcanoes. Moderate southwest winds.
Mt. Hood
Moderate rain and snow. Significant warming midday. Moderate westerly winds increasing in the afternoon.

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* 3000' 2500' 1500' 1500' 2000' 2000' 3000' 3500'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level* 3500' 3000' 2500' 2500' 3000' 3000' 3500' 5000'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level* 5500' 4000' 3000' 3000' 3500' 4500' 5500' 6000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level* 6500' 5500' 3000' 3500' 5500' 6000' 6500' 7000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level* 6500' 6000' 4000' 5500' 6500' 6500' 7000' 7000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
6000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
7000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
6500'
(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

Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 0.50 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.25 - 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass 0.50 1.00 - 1.50 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass 0.50 - 0.75 1.00 - 1.50 1.00
Crystal Mt 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.50
Paradise 1.00 1.50 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass 0.50 0.50 - 0.75 0.50 - 0.75
Washington Pass LT 0.25 0.50 - 0.75 0.75 - 1.00
Mission Ridge LT 0.25 LT 0.25 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 1.50 1.00 0.50
Timberline 1.50 1.00 0.50
LT 0.25 0.25 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50
Thursday 0.25 - 0.50
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Thursday 1.00 - 1.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Thursday 0.75
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Thursday 1.00
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Thursday 0.50
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 1.00
Wednesday Night 1.50
Thursday 1.00 - 1.50
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Thursday 0.50 - 0.75
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Thursday 0.75 - 1.00
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 1.50
Wednesday Night 1.00
Thursday 0.50
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday 1.50
Wednesday Night 1.00
Thursday 0.50
Leavenworth Precipitation Forecast
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday 0.25

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Wednesday Morning SSW 5 - 15 SW 10 - 20 WSW 15 - 25 WSW 10 - 20 WSW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon S 10 - 20 S 15 - 25 SSE 10 - 20 SSW 5 - 15 WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening SW 15 - 25 S 15 - 25 SW 15 - 25 SW 10 - 20 WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night SW 15 - 25 S 15 - 25 SW 15 - 25 SW 10 - 20 WSW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning SW 15 - 25 S 15 - 25 SW 20 - 30 SW 10 - 20 WSW 20 - 30
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Wednesday Morning SSW 5 - 15
Wednesday Afternoon S 10 - 20
Wednesday Evening SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night SW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning SW 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Mt. Baker Elevation
Wednesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening S 15 - 25
Wednesday Night S 15 - 25
Thursday Morning S 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Wednesday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 10 - 20
Wednesday Evening SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night SW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning SW 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Wednesday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 5 - 15
Wednesday Evening SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Night SW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning SW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SSW 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Elevation
Wednesday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night WSW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon SW 15 - 25
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SSW 5 - 15
Wednesday Afternoon S 10 - 20
Wednesday Evening SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night SW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning SW 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening S 15 - 25
Wednesday Night S 15 - 25
Thursday Morning S 15 - 25
Thursday Afternoon S 15 - 25
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon SSE 10 - 20
Wednesday Evening SW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night SW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning SW 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon SW 10 - 20
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 5 - 15
Wednesday Evening SW 10 - 20
Wednesday Night SW 10 - 20
Thursday Morning SW 10 - 20
Thursday Afternoon SSW 5 - 15
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning WSW 10 - 20
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Evening WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Night WSW 15 - 25
Thursday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Thursday Afternoon SW 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
Wednesday Morning WSW 15 - 25 WSW 20 - 30 WSW 30 - 40 WSW 30 - 40 WSW 35 - 45
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 25 - 35 WSW 25 - 35 WSW 40 - 55 WSW 35 - 45 WSW 40 - 55
Wednesday Evening SW 20 - 30 WSW 25 - 35 W 35 - 45 W 30 - 40 WSW 35 - 45
Wednesday Night SW 35 - 45 WSW 30 - 40 W 35 - 45 WSW 35 - 45 WSW 35 - 45
Thursday Morning SW 35 - 45 SW 40 - 55 WSW 45 - 60 WSW 45 - 60 WSW 45 - 60
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning WSW 15 - 25
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Evening SW 20 - 30
Wednesday Night SW 35 - 45
Thursday Morning SW 35 - 45
Thursday Afternoon SW 30 - 40
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning WSW 20 - 30
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Evening WSW 25 - 35
Wednesday Night WSW 30 - 40
Thursday Morning SW 40 - 55
Thursday Afternoon WSW 30 - 40
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning WSW 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 40 - 55
Wednesday Evening W 35 - 45
Wednesday Night W 35 - 45
Thursday Morning WSW 45 - 60
Thursday Afternoon WSW 45 - 60
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning WSW 30 - 40
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 35 - 45
Wednesday Evening W 30 - 40
Wednesday Night WSW 35 - 45
Thursday Morning WSW 45 - 60
Thursday Afternoon SW 35 - 45
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Wednesday Morning WSW 35 - 45
Wednesday Afternoon WSW 40 - 55
Wednesday Evening WSW 35 - 45
Wednesday Night WSW 35 - 45
Thursday Morning WSW 45 - 60
Thursday 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.

Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k

Previous forecast from Jan. 21, 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.