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Mountain Weather Forecast

Issued: 2:01 PM PST Tuesday, November 19, 2024
by Dennis D'Amico

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

Weather Synopsis for Tuesday night through Thursday

An exceptionally deep low pressure system positioned well offshore will bring windy conditions and locally heavy snowfall our mountains tonight through Wednesday morning. Warm frontal precipitation will lift from SW to NE tonight over the area. The heaviest precipitation will occur along the east slopes of the Cascades (and Olympics) thanks to some upsloping and closer to the Washington/Oregon border where the axis of heaviest precipitation will be aimed. Portions of the east slopes of the Cascades south of I-90 and near Mt Hood may exceed 1' of snow overnight. Precipitation will be lighter in the Passes and northwest and northcentral Cascades.  The cold front will stall along the Olympics and weaken as it washes out during the day.  The heaviest showers will linger over the Olympic peninsula with lighter showers elsewhere. 

The wind will be the other major story with strong to extreme winds in many areas starting late this afternoon through Wednesday morning.  E-SE winds will be the strongest near and west of the Cascade crest with those extreme southeasterlies reaching into the western Cascade foothills. Even for areas that aren't receiving heavy snow, the combination of snow and winds will severely impact visibility. 

We'll be inbetween the stronger jet stream over northern CA and the upper low still positioned a bit farther offshore Wednesday night and Thursday.  We won't completely dry out but showers and winds will be much lighter.  Snow levels will moderate a bit on Thursday as well into the 3000-4000' range. 

Weather Forecast

Olympics
Tuesday Night Light to moderate rain and snow, heaviest E/SE slopes of the Olympics. Extreme winds.
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow showers, heaviest south slopes of the Olympics.
West North
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing this evening. Strong winds.
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow becoming scattered rain and snow showers in the afternoon.
West Central
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow developing this evening. Strong to extreme winds.
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow becoming scattered rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Strong winds decreasing during the morning.
West South
Tuesday Night Light to moderate rain and snow developing this evening. Strong to extreme winds.
Light to occasionally moderate rain and snow becoming scattered rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Strong winds decreasing during the morning.
Stevens Pass
Tuesday Night Light snow developing this evening. Strong to extreme E-SE winds at ridgeline and Pass level.
Light snow becoming scattered showers in the afternoon. Strong E-SE ridgeline and Pass level winds decreasing during the morning.
Snoqualmie Pass
Tuesday Night Light snow developing this evening. Strong to extreme E-SE winds at ridgeline and Pass level.
Light snow becoming scattered showers in the afternoon. Strong E-SE ridgeline and Pass level winds decreasing during the morning.
East North
Tuesday Night Light to occasionally moderate snow developing later this evening. Strong winds.
Light to moderate snow in the morning, becoming light rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Strong winds decreasing in the morning.
East Central
Tuesday Night Light to moderate snow developing later this evening. Strong winds.
Light to moderate snow in the morning, becoming light rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Strong winds decreasing in the morning.
East South
Tuesday Night Moderate snow developing later this evening. Strong winds.
Light to moderate snow in the morning, becoming light rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Strong winds decreasing in the morning.
Mt. Hood
Tuesday Night Moderate rain and snow developing later this evening. Strong to extreme winds.
Moderate rain and snow in the morning, becoming light to occasionally moderate snow showers in the afternoon. Strong winds decreasing in the morning.

Snow/Freezing Level (ft)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Washington Pass Leavenworth Stevens Pass Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier, Crystal & White Pass Mt. Hood
Tuesday Evening Snow Level* None' None' None' None' 1000' 1500' None' 3000'
Tuesday Night Snow Level* None' None' None' None' 1000' 1000' None' 3500'
Wednesday Morning Snow Level* None' None' None' None' 1000' 1500' None' 4000'
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level* None' None' None' None' 3000' 3000' None' 4500'
Wednesday Evening Snow Level* None' None' None' None' 2500' 2500' None' 4000'
Wednesday Night Snow Level* None' None' None' None' 1500' 2000' None' 4000'
Thursday Morning Snow Level* None' None' None' None' 2500' 2500' None' 4000'
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Washington Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Leavenworth Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Stevens Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
1000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
1500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
2000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
2500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Rainier & Crystal Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening Snow Level
3000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Tuesday Night Snow Level
3500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Afternoon Snow Level
4500'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Evening Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Wednesday Night Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Morning Snow Level
4000'
(Easterly Flow *)
Thursday Afternoon Snow Level
4000'
(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

Tuesday Night Wednesday Wednesday Night Thursday
4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm 4 pm - 4 am 4 am - 4 pm
Hurricane Ridge 0.25 - 0.50 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area 0.50 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Stevens Pass 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Crystal Mt 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Paradise 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
White Pass 0.50 - 0.75 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Washington Pass 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Mission Ridge 0.50 - 0.75 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head 0.75 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. 1.00 - 1.50 0.25 LT 0.10 LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows 1.00 - 1.50 0.25 - 0.50 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
1.00 - 1.50 0.25 LT 0.25 LT 0.25
Hurricane Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday 0.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Mt Baker Ski Area Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Mt. Loop - Barlow Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Stevens Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Snoqualmie Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.25
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Crystal Mt Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Paradise Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
White Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Washington Pass Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50
Wednesday LT 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Mission Ridge Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.50 - 0.75
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.10
Salmon la Sac - Gallagher Head Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 0.75
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.10
Tieton River - Darland Mt. Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.10
Thursday LT 0.25
Mt Hood Meadows Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday 0.25 - 0.50
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25
Timberline Precipitation Forecast
Tuesday Night 1.00 - 1.50
Wednesday 0.25
Wednesday Night LT 0.25
Thursday LT 0.25

Free Winds at 5000' (mph)

Hurricane Ridge Mt. Baker Stevens to Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Rainier Mt. Hood
Tuesday Evening --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None SSE None - None
Tuesday Night --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None S None - None
Wednesday Morning --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None --- None - None SSW None - None
Hurricane Ridge Elevation
Tuesday Evening --- None - None
Tuesday Night --- None - None
Wednesday Morning --- None - None
Wednesday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Elevation
Tuesday Evening --- None - None
Tuesday Night --- None - None
Wednesday Morning --- None - None
Wednesday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Tuesday Evening --- None - None
Tuesday Night --- None - None
Wednesday Morning --- None - None
Wednesday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Elevation
Tuesday Evening --- None - None
Tuesday Night --- None - None
Wednesday Morning --- None - None
Wednesday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Elevation
Tuesday Evening SSE None - None
Tuesday Night S None - None
Wednesday Morning SSW None - None
Wednesday Afternoon SSW None - None
Hurricane Ridge Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening --- None - None
Tuesday Night --- None - None
Wednesday Morning --- None - None
Wednesday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Baker Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening --- None - None
Tuesday Night --- None - None
Wednesday Morning --- None - None
Wednesday Afternoon --- None - None
Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening --- None - None
Tuesday Night --- None - None
Wednesday Morning --- None - None
Wednesday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Rainier Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening --- None - None
Tuesday Night --- None - None
Wednesday Morning --- None - None
Wednesday Afternoon --- None - None
Mt. Hood Direction - Speed
Tuesday Evening SSE None - None
Tuesday Night S None - None
Wednesday Morning SSW None - None
Wednesday Afternoon SSW 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.

Extended Weather Synopsis for Thursday night through Saturday

Another frontal system will approach form the south Thursday night and Friday.  This system could be messing with a warming trend leading to mixed precipitation types (freezing rain) for the Passes and the central/south WA Cascades, or it could just be a milder storm with snow levels pushing above 5-7000'.  A more low key and light showery pattern looks likely for Saturday with snow levels pegged between 3000-4000'. 

Extended Snow/Freezing Levels

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Pass Mt. Hood Easterly Flow *
Thursday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None' *
Friday Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None' *
Friday Night Snow Level None' - None' None' - None' None' - None' *
Mt. Baker Elevation
Thursday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Snoqualmie Pass Elevation
Thursday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Mt. Hood Elevation
Thursday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Friday Night Snow Level
None' - None'
(Easterly Flow *)
Saturday Snow Level
None' - None'
(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 I Extended Weather

Previous forecast from Nov. 18, 2024

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