Mountain Weather Forecast
Jump to: Weather Forecast I Snow/Freezing Level I Precipitation I Free Winds 5k I Free Winds 9k
Weather Synopsis for Wednesday & Thursday
A quick moving frontal system will pass through the Cascasdes early this morning. Radar shows the precipitation shield quickly moving inland this morning. The heaviest precipitation is expected for the Washington volcanoes. Winds should be a notch stronger than they looked yesterday across the board both pre and post front. Cool easterly flow should drag snow levels down to 3000' for the major Cascade Passes before snow levels bump up to 4000-4500' in the afternoon.
An upper level ridge will quickly build over the area tonight helping to shut down shower activity quickly. Strong downslope westerlies should continue along the east slopes of the Cascades through Thursday morning.
A warm front will be slow to spread precipitation over the area tomorrow, only reaching the Olympics and north Cascades by sunset. However, warmer air will begin to flood the region during the day. Another round of cool easterly flow in the Passes should create temperature inversions and multiple freezing levels. There should be a window of sunshine in the morning for most areas tomorrow, especially Mt. Hood before high clouds overspread the region by mid-day.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday | Light to moderate rain and snow becoming scattered rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Strong winds tapering down in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday | Moderate rain and snow developing this morning, then becoming scattered rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Strong winds tapering down in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday | Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing this morning, becoming scattered rain and snow showers late in the afternoon. Strong alpine winds. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday | Light to moderate rain and snow developing this morning becoming rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Warming trend in the afternoon. Strong winds at ridgecrest tapering down in the afternoon. Light east winds at Pass level becoming moderate westerlies in the afternoon. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday | Light to moderate rain and snow developing this morning, heaviest Paradise, becoming rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Warming trend peaking mid-day. Strong winds tapering down in the afternoon. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday | Light to moderate rain and snow developing this morning, becoming rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Warming trend peaking mid-day. Winds increasing in the afternoon. |
Issued: 7:09 AM PST Wednesday, January 29, 2020
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* | 4500' | 3500' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 4000' | 5000' |
| Wednesday Afternoon | Snow Level | 5000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 6500' |
| Wednesday Evening | Snow Level | 5000' | 3500' | 3500' | 4500' | 4000' | 4500' | 4500' | 5500' |
| Wednesday Night | Freezing Level | 4500' | 3000' | 2500' | 3000' | 3000' | 3000' | 3500' | 6000' |
| Thursday Morning | Freezing Level* | 5500' | 4500' | 4500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' | 8000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Freezing Level* | 6000' | 5000' | 4000' | 4500' | 5500' | 5500' | 6500' | 8500' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 2500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 3000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Wednesday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6500' |
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Freezing Level 8500' (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 | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | 1.00 - 1.50 | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Paradise | 0.75 - 1.00 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| White Pass | 0.50 | LT 0.10 | 0 |
| Washington Pass | 0.25 - 0.50 | 0 | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | 0.50 - 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Timberline | 0.75 | LT 0.25 | 0 |
| Leavenworth | LT 0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 1.00 - 1.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 0.75 |
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | LT 0.25 |
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 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: 7:09 AM PST Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | S 30 - 40 | S 25 - 35 | SE 10 - 20 | SW 20 - 30 | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 | SW 15 - 25 | SW 20 - 30 | SW 15 - 25 | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 5 - 15 | SW 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 | W 5 - 15 | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 | S 0 - 10 | WNW 5 - 15 | VAR 0 - 10 | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 | S 0 - 10 | VAR 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 | S 15 - 25 | S 5 - 15 | S 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | S 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | S 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 15 - 25 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | S 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 15 - 25 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SE 10 - 20 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 20 - 30 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | WSW 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | W 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 40 - 60 | SW 40 - 50 | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 | SW 40 - 50 | W 40 - 50 | W 30 - 40 | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 | WNW 35 - 45 | NW 40 - 50 | NW 30 - 40 | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 20 - 30 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 25 - 35 | NW 20 - 30 | N 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 | SW 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | W 10 - 20 | VAR 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 35 - 45 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Evening | W 25 - 35 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | WSW 15 - 25 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Washington Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 40 - 60 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Evening | NW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 35 - 45 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | SW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Evening | NW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 30 - 40 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Morning | W 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Afternoon | W 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Evening | WNW 30 - 40 |
| Wednesday Night | N 20 - 30 |
| Thursday Morning | VAR 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 25 - 35 |
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. 28, 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.