09:30 AM Sunday March 17

An upper ridge will build over the area through monday. Low level offshore flow today will increase monday and tuesday resulting in a warming trend. Highs will peak on tuesday with record breaking temperatures likely. A weak front will dissipate before it reaches the area on wednesday. Another weakening front will arrive late in the week.

SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH TUESDAY/

High pressure aloft and low level offshore flow will produce sunny days with a warming trend through tuesday. A few records are possible monday with a better chance at record highs on tuesday. Schneider

LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/

A front will dissipate off the coast on wednesday. It should be another warm day - slightly cooler than tuesday but still well above normal with some clouds later in the day. Dry weather with gradual cooling will continue on thursday with weak onshore flow. A frontal system will bring a little rain later friday and friday night. Some showers will linger into saturday with an upper trough over the area. Highs will cool to near normal by saturday. Schneider

HYDROLOGY

River flooding is not expected for the next 7 days.

MARINE

Light northerly flow will increase this afternoon and could approach 15 to 20 kt in some inland waters this afternoon. surface high pressure strengthens east of the cascades tonight and monday with the flow turning more east to northeasterly. This will favor possible small craft winds to 25 kt in the west/central strait and inner coastal zone adjacent to the entrance. Will consider a small craft for these areas with the afternoon forecast. Otherwise, seas have reached around 10 feet at 15 seconds over the outer waters and the small craft for hazardous seas is extended until 3 pm pdt today. Seas should subside slightly late this afternoon.

SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Wa...none. Pz...small craft advisory for hazardous seas until 3 pm pdt this afternoon for coastal waters from cape flattery to james island 10 to 60 nm-coastal waters from james island to point grenville 10 to 60 nm-coastal waters from point grenville to cape shoalwater 10 to 60 nm.

CLIMATE

70 degree days in march are rare in western washington. In the 75 years of records at sea-tac airport there have been only 17 days in march with a high in the 70s. Out of the 17 days, only 6 of them have occurred before the spring equinox ( 73 on 3/12/2018, 72 on 3/15 & 16/1947, 71 on 3/17/1947 and 70 on 3/18/1996 and 3/13/1979 ). Felton

Some high temperature records for monday and tuesday.

        seattle  olympia bellingham  hoquiam quillayute

March 18th 70/1996 72/1956 68/1996 69/1996 68/1996 march 19th 63/1951 66/1988 63/1981 68/1999 66/1999

AVIATION

High pressure aloft will dominate the region the next several days. Light northerly surface flow becoming more east- northeasterly and increasing tonight and monday. Light-moderate easterly flow aloft. Thin high clouds dissipating this morning with generally clear skies. Vfr conditions, with isolated fog at bli and olm currently clearing out. Fog is not expected tonight given offshore flow. Air mass dry and stable.

Ksea...vfr conditions. Northerly wind 8-12 kt, becoming northeasterly 5-6 kt after 03z.