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Mountain Weather Forecast

Issued: 2:01 PM PST Friday, February 9, 2024
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis for Friday night through Sunday

A few popcorn showers near and west of the Cascade crest will peter out tonight as an upper level ridge builds over the area.  NW flow on the leading edge of the ridge will translate into moderate to locally strong NW winds at ridgeline and alpine areas Friday night through Saturday. The ridge will quickly break down on Saturday. We’ll start the day with mostly sunny skies for southern areas and partly to mostly cloudy skies closer to the Canadian border. In the afternoon, cloud cover should increase for all areas with potentially a few flurries or raindrops over the Olympics and northwest Cascades before sunset. After a cool start to the day, a low pressure system curling north towards Vancouver Island will push milder air into the region by Saturday afternoon, with freezing levels rising to 4000-6000’.

The frontal system will pass through the area Sunday morning with a burst of moderate precipitation. The mild snow levels experienced Saturday night will come down a bit at the onset of precipitation but some lower elevation trailheads and Passes may see rain at the beginning of the storm. As the front passes through late morning or mid-day, snow levels will settle into the 4000-4500' across the area. Up to 0.50" of water equivalent may fall from the Mountain Loop Highway and northwards including the Mt Baker area. Showers will continue Sunday night, with those same areas favored to pick up similar precipitation amounts.  A ridge will temporarily build over the area on Monday with dry conditions expected.  

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Friday Night Mostly cloudy.
Partly to mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Slight chance of rain or snow in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds easing in the afternoon.
West North
Friday Night Mostly cloudy. Light ridgeline winds becoming moderate late.
Partly to mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Slight chance of rain or snow in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
West Central
Friday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds.
Partly to mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds.
West South
Friday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Partly to mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Stevens Pass
Friday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Light to moderate Pass to ridgeline W-NW winds.
Partly to mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Light to moderate W winds at Pass level, moderate NW ridgeline winds.
Snoqualmie Pass
Friday Night Partly to mostly cloudy. Moderate Pass to ridgeline W-NW winds.
Partly to mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon.Light to moderate W winds at Pass level, moderate to occasionally strong NW ridgeline winds.
East North
Friday Night Partly cloudy. Periods of moderate ridgeline winds.
Partly to mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon.Moderate ridgeline winds.
East Central
Friday Night Partly cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Partly to mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds.
East South
Friday Night Partly cloudy. Moderate ridgeline winds.
Partly to mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Moderate to occasionally strong ridgeline winds.
Mt. Hood
Friday Night Partly cloudy. Moderate to strong ridgeline winds.
Partly to mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly to mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Moderate ridgeline winds.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Friday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 2000' 2000' None' 2000'
Friday Night Snow Level None' None' None' None' 1500' 1500' None' 2000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level None' None' None' None' 2500' 2500' None' 3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level None' None' None' None' 4500' 4500' None' 5000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level None' None' None' None' 3500' 4000' None' 5500'
Saturday Night Snow Level* None' None' None' None' 3500' 5000' None' 5500'
Sunday Morning Snow Level* None' None' None' None' 3000' 3500' None' 5500'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Washington Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Leavenworth Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Stevens Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Friday Night Snow Level
1500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
3500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Friday Night Snow Level
1500'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
2500'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
4000'
Saturday Night Snow Level
5000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
None'
Friday Night Snow Level
None'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
None'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
None'
Saturday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening Snow Level
2000'
Friday Night Snow Level
2000'
Saturday Morning Snow Level
3000'
Saturday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'
Saturday Evening Snow Level
5500'
Saturday Night Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Morning Snow Level
5500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Sunday Afternoon Snow Level
5000'

* 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

Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 0.50
Stevens Pass 0 0 0 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass 0 0 0 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Paradise 0 0 0 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass 0 0 0 LT 0.25
Washington Pass 0 0 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mission Ridge 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0 0 0 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 0 0 0 LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows 0 0 0 LT 0.10
0 0 0 LT 0.10
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday LT 0.10
Saturday Night LT 0.25
Sunday 0.50
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday 0.50
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0.25 - 0.50
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.25
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night LT 0.10
Sunday LT 0.25
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday 0.25
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Friday Night 0
Saturday 0
Saturday Night 0
Sunday LT 0.10

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Friday Evening --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None NW None - None
Friday Night --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None NW None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None NW None - None
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Elevation
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Elevation
Friday Evening NW None - None
Friday Night NW None - None
Saturday Morning NW None - None
Saturday Afternoon NW None - None
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Friday Evening NW None - None
Friday Night NW None - None
Saturday Morning NW None - None
Saturday Afternoon NW None - None

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
Friday Evening --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Washington Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Friday Evening --- None - None
Friday Night --- None - None
Saturday Morning --- None - None
Saturday Afternoon --- None - None

Extended Weather Synopsis for Sunday night through Tuesday

Forecast models are in poor agreement on how the pattern evolves next week.  It's unclear how a broad trough carved over the Canadian Prairies/northern US Plains merges with a storm track under-cutting a strong ridge of high pressure over the northeastern Pacific. For now, run-of-mill storms with temperatures near or slightly above normal seem like a fair bet. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Sunday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Monday Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Monday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None'
Mt. Baker Elevation
Sunday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Tuesday Snow Level
None' - None'
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Sunday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Tuesday Snow Level
None' - None'
Mt. Hood Elevation
Sunday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Snow Level
None' - None'
Monday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
Tuesday Snow Level
None' - None'

* 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 Feb. 9, 2024

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