03:00 PM Monday March 18

A strong upper level ridge along with low level offshore flow will give another day of record breaking high temperatures on tuesday. A weak front arriving from the south could bring showers to western sections on thursday. Another weakening front will bring some rain later friday and friday night. An upper trough will bring some showers and near normal temperatures over the weekend.

SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/

Satellite imagery shows zero clouds over the region. High temperatures have broken records today at ksea and kuil, so far, with some other places flirting with records. Tuesday should bring more of the same--sun and record high temperatures, with highs mostly in the 70s. The upper ridge will have drifted to the northeast a bit, but surface flow will still be offshore.

A slow cooling trend will commence wednesday, with the upper level ridge far enough away that heights over western washington will be distinctly lower. Offshore surface flow will still keep temperatures up over the interior, with highs near 70. Flow will probably turn onshore at the coast, giving lower temperatures there, with highs in the low to mid 60s.

Upper flow will become more southerly on thursday. Models have a weak upper trough which allows a little moisture into the area. Have followed ensemble means which have low chance pops on the coast and over the olympics on thursday. There will be more clouds, and the offshore surface flow will be gone, so highs will be in the mid 50s to low 60s. Burke

LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY/

Models have a negatively tilted trough reaching the coast friday afternoon and moving inland friday night. Though the front may be falling apart as it moves inland, it is probably good for at least one period of categorical pops friday night or saturday. Precipitation will turn more shower saturday afternoon and showers will taper sunday. Monday looks pretty dry as an upper ridge briefly builds over the area. Temperatures will be normal to a little above normal through the period. Burke

HYDROLOGY

River flooding is unlikely over the next seven days.

SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Wa...none. Pz...small craft advisory until 5 am pdt tuesday for coastal waters from point grenville to cape shoalwater 10 to 60 nm-coastal waters from point grenville to cape shoalwater out 10 nm.

 small craft advisory until 11 am pdt tuesday for coastal waters       from cape flattery to james island out 10 nm-west entrance       u.s. Waters strait of juan de fuca.

 small craft advisory from 11 pm this evening to 5 am pdt tuesday       for coastal waters from james island to point grenville 10       to 60 nm.

 small craft advisory from 2 am to 11 am pdt tuesday for coastal       waters from cape flattery to james island 10 to 60 nm.

 small craft advisory until 11 pm pdt this evening for puget       sound and hood canal.

MARINE

Offshore flow will continue with surface high pressure east of the cascades. Breezy winds near the gaps in coastal terrain. strongest east wind is expected to be at the west entrance of the strait of juan de fuca. Offshore flow will continue into tomorrow before easing middle of the week with the return of fronts later this week.

AVIATION

Upper level ridge over western washington will keep the air mass stable and dry. Easterly flow aloft will turn more southeasterly later this afternoon. Surface high pressure area over southern british columbia and east of the cascades will lead to continued offshore flow at the surface. Expect vfr conditions to continue. Winds generally northeasterly from 5-15 knots, a few easterly gusts up to 28 knots around the puget sound into this evening.

Ksea...vfr conditions. Easterly winds will continue through this evening becoming more northerly into tonight. Winds generally up to 15 knots with gusts near 28 knots through this evening. Jd