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 Wednesday night through Friday
The back edge of a frontal system is sliding through Puget Sound early this afternoon with light to moderate precipitation across the area. Shower activity will quickly wane this evening as an upper level ridge builds over the PNW. Behind the front, strong downslope westerly winds should continue along the east slopes of the Cascades through Thursday morning affecting places like Mission Ridge.
A warm front will slowly approach the area tomorrow from the west, spreading precipitation inland late in the day. This will be the first of two moisture waves to impact the area. Snow levels will rise as warm air is advected into the region. Cool easterly flow in the Passes should create temperature inversions with warming limited to upper slopes above the easterly flow. As the precipitation begins, there may be a window of mixed precipitation or freezing rain for Stevens, Snoqualmie and White Pass Thursday evening.
Warm air will eventually flood the region Thursday night, driving up snow levels between 7000-9000 feet. The heaviest axis of precipitation will stay with the jet stream aimed further north into south/central B.C with more modest amounts expected for Washington state. Extreme westerly winds will develop late Thursday night into Friday as the storm ramps up. Warm frontal precipitation should slowly lift north on Friday, with possible drying for areas further south like Mt. Hood and the far south Washington Cascades by the afternoon.
Weather Forecast
Hurricane Ridge
| Wednesday Night | Isolated light rain and snow showers tapering off in the evening and becoming partly cloudy overnight. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy in the morning. Light rain and snow developing in the afternoon. Warmer. Winds increasing quickly in the afternoon. |
Mt. Baker
| Wednesday Night | Scattered light rain and snow showers tapering off in the evening and becoming partly cloudy overnight. |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy in the morning. Light rain and snow developing in the afternoon. Winds increasing quickly in the afternoon. |
Washington Pass and Leavenworth
| Wednesday Night | Isolated light rain and snow showers tapering off in the evening and becoming partly cloudy overnight. |
| Thursday | Partly sunny with filtered sunshine in the morning becoming cloudy with lowering clouds in the afternoon. Strong winds developing in the alpine during the afternoon. |
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass
| Wednesday Night | Scattered light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers tapering off in the evening and becoming partly to mostly cloudy overnight. Light west winds at Pass level switching to east overnight. |
| Thursday | Partly sunny with filtered sunshine in the morning becoming cloudy with lowering clouds by mid-day. Light rain and snow developing late. Warming above Pass level. Moderate east winds at Pass level. |
Mt. Rainier, Crystal and White Pass
| Wednesday Night | Scattered light rain and snow showers tapering off in the evening and becoming partly to mostly cloudy overnight. |
| Thursday | Partly sunny with filtered sunshine in the morning becoming cloudy with lowering clouds in the afternoon. Light rain and snow developing late in the day. Warmer. |
Mt. Hood
| Wednesday Night | Light to occasionally moderate showers in the evening tapering off after midnight and becoming mostly cloudy. |
| Thursday | Partly sunny in the morning becoming cloudy in the afternoon with lowering clouds. Warmer. Chance of light rain or snow late. |
Issued: 2:04 PM 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 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' | 5000' | 4500' | 5500' | 6000' | 6500' | 6500' | 8000' |
| Thursday Afternoon | Snow Level* | 6000' | 4000' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' | 5500' | 5000' | 8500' |
| Thursday Evening | Snow Level* | 7000' | 4500' | 4000' | 4000' | 5000' | 6000' | 7000' | 8000' |
| Thursday Night | Snow Level* | 7500' | 6500' | 5000' | 7000' | 7500' | 7500' | 8000' | 8500' |
| Friday Morning | Snow Level | 8000' | 7000' | 6000' | 8000' | 8000' | 8000' | 8000' | 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon | Snow Level | 8000' | 7500' | 7000' | 7500' | 7500' | 7500' | 7500' | 8000' |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 4500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Washington Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 3500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 2500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 4500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 6000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7000' |
| Leavenworth | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Stevens Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4000' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 6000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 7500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Mt. Rainier & Crystal | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 4500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 3500' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 6500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 5000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 7000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 7500' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening |
Snow Level 5500' |
| Wednesday Night |
Freezing Level 6000' |
| Thursday Morning |
Freezing Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Evening |
Snow Level 8000' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Thursday Night |
Snow Level 8500' (Easterly Flow *) |
| Friday Morning |
Snow Level 8000' |
| Friday Afternoon |
Snow Level 8000' |
* 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 Night | Thursday | Thursday Night | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | 4 pm - 4 am | 4 am - 4 pm | |
| Hurricane Ridge | LT 0.10 | LT 0.25 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 | 1.00 |
| Stevens Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 - 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Crystal Mt | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.25 - 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 1.50 | 0.75 |
| White Pass | LT 0.10 | LT 0.10 | 0.50 | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | 0 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | 0 | 0 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 1.00 | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | LT 0.25 | LT 0.10 | 0.75 - 1.00 | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | 0 | 0 | LT 0.25 | LT 0.25 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Mt Baker Ski Area | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 1.00 |
| Stevens Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 |
| Friday | 0.50 - 0.75 |
| Crystal Mt | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 - 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Paradise | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 1.50 |
| Friday | 0.75 |
| White Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.50 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Washington Pass | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | 0.25 |
| Friday | 0.50 |
| Mission Ridge | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Mt Hood Meadows | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 1.00 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
| Timberline | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Thursday | LT 0.10 |
| Thursday Night | 0.75 - 1.00 |
| Friday | LT 0.10 |
| Leavenworth | Precipitation Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Night | 0 |
| Thursday | 0 |
| Thursday Night | LT 0.25 |
| Friday | LT 0.25 |
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 Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Free Winds at 5000' (mph)
| Hurricane Ridge | Mt. Baker | Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Rainier | Mt. Hood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 5 - 15 | VAR 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 | S 20 - 30 | S 5 - 15 | S 10 - 20 | SW 10 - 20 |
| Hurricane Ridge | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 15 - 25 |
| Wednesday Night | WNW 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Morning | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 5 - 15 |
| Mt. Rainier | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 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 Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SSW 20 - 30 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | SW 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | S 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | S 5 - 15 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 20 - 30 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 Evening | W 5 - 15 |
| Wednesday Night | VAR 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 0 - 10 |
| Thursday Afternoon | S 10 - 20 |
| Mt. Hood | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 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 40 - 50 | SW 40 - 50 | SW 30 - 40 | SW 25 - 35 |
| Mt. Baker | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 Evening | WNW 35 - 45 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | SW 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday Evening | NW 40 - 50 |
| Wednesday Night | NW 25 - 35 |
| Thursday Morning | W 10 - 20 |
| Thursday Afternoon | SW 40 - 50 |
| Mt. Rainier | Direction - Speed |
|---|---|
| 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 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.
Issued: 2:04 PM PST Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Extended Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday
A vigorous cold front will sweep through the region late Friday night and Saturday morning. Rain will change to snow as snow levels plummet during the day on Saturday. Extreme and gusty winds are expected with and behind the front. Snow showers should taper down Saturday night. Another frontal system is expected on Sunday with continued cold with snow levels hovering near sea level.
Extended Snow/Freezing Levels
| Mt. Baker | Snoqualmie Pass | Mt. Hood | Easterly Flow * | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night | Snow Level | 5500' - 6500' | 6000' - 7000' | 7000' - 8000' | |
| Saturday | Snow Level | 1500' - 3500' | 2000' - 4000' | 3000' - 5000' | |
| Saturday Night | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | |
| Sunday | Snow Level | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' | 0' - 0' |
| Mt. Baker | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 5500' - 6500' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 1500' - 3500' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Snoqualmie Pass | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 6000' - 7000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 2000' - 4000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Sunday |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Mt. Hood | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Friday Night |
Snow Level 7000' - 8000' |
| Saturday |
Snow Level 3000' - 5000' |
| Saturday Night |
Snow Level 0' - 0' |
| Sunday |
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. 29, 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.