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Hello! This is the National Weather Service in Seattle with the weekly weather briefing
for western WA. This briefing is for the period from May 8th through the 12th.
Here�s the overview. The stretch of warm and dry weather continues across western WA
thanks to a strong upper level ridge over the region. At the surface, low level onshore
flow will prevail, leading to late night and morning clouds. The stratus will erode during
the afternoon hours for mostly sunny skies, especially across the interior. But with high
pressure aloft and plenty of sunshine in the afternoon, temperatures will continue to run
about 5-15 degrees above normal for this time of year. This stretch of mild weather will
continue through at least Fri. But a pattern change will bring wet and cooler weather back
to western WA this weekend. Here�s a look at the current infrared satellite
image along with the 500 mb height contours. This image shows the upper level ridge right
over the Pacific NW, where it�s been nearly stationary over the past several days. This
ridge will remain over the region through Friday.
This is the visible satellite, highlighting the low clouds or stratus across the western
WA lowlands. Low clouds will be prevalent over the next several days due to onshore
flow. But we should see the clouds eroding back to the coast during the afternoon hours.
The stratus will mainly affect the coast but we could see some low clouds in the interior
during the morning hours. Notice the mountains sticking up over the clouds. It�ll be sunny
and warm in the Olympics and Cascades as well. Here are the forecast high temperatures for
Thursday and Friday. Highs will run about 5-15 degrees above normal for the region.
The interior will see afternoon temperatures in the 70s each day, maybe reaching lower
80s in spots in Fri. The coast will remain cool and in the mid 50s to lower 60s.
But a pattern change will bring wet and cooler weather back to western WA over the weekend.
On Sat the upper level ridge will finally shift east of the Cascades while a cold front
advances from the west. Sat is still mainly dry but we should see an increase in clouds.
Rain will develop Sat night as the front reaches the coast then moves inland.
By Sunday, the front is over the region for rain across the region. The is the GFS model
valid at 18Z Sun, or 11am in the morning. This will be the first sight of precipitation
since late April. Notice the high temperature forecast for Sunday.
Highs are back in the lower to mid 60s, closer to normal for early May.
Overall, the impacts over the next several days are low. This is a fairly benign weather
pattern through Sat. But with warm conditions the rivers will continue to run cold, high
and fast due to snowmelt runoff. So remember your boater or water safety rules.
In Summary, warm and dry weather will continue through Sat with temps remaining above normal.
A pattern change will bring rain and cooler weather back to western WA Sun through early
next week. Here�s a list of common resources, all found
on our web page at www.weather.gov/seattle. Thanks!