“Topsy turvy” September: forecast signals storms, showers ahead
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Low pressure system drives storms and rain across Puget Sound through next week.
- Wildfire smoke reduces air quality; sensitive groups advised to limit activity.
- Forecast suggests warmer than average temperatures persist into mid-September.
Storms, showers and smoke — looks like the week ahead could announce itself with a bang in the South Sound.
After last week’s lingering summer temperatures, the weather is supposed to turn cloudier and rainy over the next few days, said meteorologist Dustin Guy from the National Weather Service Seattle office. Temperatures will also be cooler, but not too chilly, with highs this weekend in the low to mid 70s, and lows just dipping below 60.
Next week will bring some rain, as a trough of low pressure is likely to “produce a chance of showers on a near daily basis,” though conditions may be drier and warmer toward Thursday and Friday, Guy said.
The extended outlook for the next few weeks suggests it’s not quite sweater weather yet. “The overall warmer- than-average temperatures should continue in a general sense,” Guy said.
It’s typical of a moody September, which Guy said is “a topsy-turvy month” that’s difficult to forecast as the area transitions from summer to fall.
The real fall weather typically doesn’t settle in until October, he said.
Poor air quality over the next few days is another reason you might want to stay indoors. Wildfire smoke from fires burning in the Olympics and Cascades may lead to “intermittent unhealthy air quality” in areas including Kitsap, eastern King and Pierce counties, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency posted in a Sept. 5-8 forecast Friday evening, but “a change in the wind ... should bring some clearing on Sunday.”
Olympia, which has largely avoided wildfire smoke this season, is expected to continue to have good air quality readings.
The agency encourages members of sensitive groups — children, pregnant women and people who have breathing or heart issues — to take it easy if they’re running, cycling or walking outside. Lower-risk adults might want to limit their outdoor activity to walking until air quality improves.
This story was originally published September 6, 2025 at 10:48 AM.
