A strong upper level ridge with low level offshore flow will result in one more sunny and warm day today with record high temperatures likely. Onshore flow will bring marine air inland tonight and thursday bringing in clouds, moisture and cooler temperatures. Light rain will spread northeast across the area friday marking the start of an active weather pattern through the weekend. Temperatures for the remainder of the week will be near normal.
A wide range of temperatures across w wa this morning with lower 40s down in the south sound area such at tacoma and olympia while sea-tac has already gone into the 60s with a current ob of 61 degrees. Skies over the area are generally clear and thus providing favorable conditions for further warming.
Given the type of winter experienced over the area...feels almost karmic that the start of astronomical spring...the vernal equinox...would be met with almost summer-like temperatures as today looks to once again see widespread 70s for afternoon highs in the lowlands. This looks like the end of the road for these sorts of temperatures...for now at least. A shift to onshore flow this afternoon might be too late to make a significant impact in high temps this afternoon...but incoming stratus tonight as well as an upper level low wrapping moisture up into the area tomorrow morning will bring temps down closer to seasonal expectations...although still a few degrees above that with most lowland locations seeing highs right around 60 thursday. Although the aforementioned low does wrap some moisture over the area...precip chances look lackluster at best. Inherited pops are mostly of a silent single digit variety...although some locations might creep right to that 10 pct slight chance threshold. Best chance for rain looks to come with a front that models prog to reach the coast right around noon on friday...although this front has a hard time holding together once it enters into w wa. There does look to be sufficient moisture to maintain the inherited chance pops however temps should remain pretty stable with highs still expected to be in the upper 50s to right around 60. This front looks to be the kick off to an active pattern that will extend into the long term.
Not really seeing anything that screams morning update...so will allow inherited forecast to ride until 12z data comes in and even then...only expecting minor tweaks to come with fresh data. smr
From previous discussion...a weak upper level trough behind friday nights front will give showers to the area on saturday. The showers will gradually come to an end saturday night as high pressure aloft builds into the area and surface high pressure builds northward into british columbia. sunday now looks dry with low level ne to e flow increasing ahead of the next negatively tilted frontal system that will be approaching from the southwest. Temperatures aloft wont be as warm as they have been the past few days, so expect high temperatures on sunday to stay in the mid 50s to lower 60s. Rainfall associated with the next frontal system will move into the area on monday. Albrecht
River flooding is unlikely over the next seven days.
Wa...none. Pz...small craft advisory until noon pdt today for central u.s. waters strait of juan de fuca-coastal waters from cape flattery to james island 10 to 60 nm-coastal waters from cape flattery to james island out 10 nm-west entrance u.s. waters strait of juan de fuca.
Offshore flow will persist through this evening. Breezy winds near the gaps of the coastal terrain - strongest easterly winds will be along the central strait of juan de fuca through this morning. Light onshore flow will develop on thursday ahead of a weakening front spreading into the region on friday. Westerly swell 10 to 11 feet will begin to affect the coastal waters friday night rising to 12 feet at 16 seconds saturday.
Southeasterly flow will continue aloft with low level offshore flow continuing into today. The air mass will remain dry and stable. Easterly winds will increase across portions of the southern sound near 18z. Winds generally east-northeasterly from 5 to 15 knots. Gusts up to 25 knots possible for ksea and khqm. Winds will turn more onshore tonight with increasing cloud cover late ahead of a weak frontal system.
Ksea...vfr conditions with northeasterly winds becoming easterly 10- 15 knots by midday. Winds expected to pick up again near 18z, with gusts up to 25 knots possible at times. Increasing cloud cover tonight with onshore winds generally following 09z. Jd