Summer-like weather is coming to Washington. Here’s when, how hot and how long it’ll last
You’ve paid your weather dues, Washingtonians, and now you’re set for your reward. For the first time in 2023, temperatures in some parts of the Evergreen State are poised to eclipse the 80-degree mark, and the nice weather could stick around for a few days.
The National Weather Services in Seattle and Pendleton, Oregon, forecast rapidly rising temperatures for all of Washington State heading into the weekend. The state had previously dealt with cold and wet temperatures since March as a low-pressure system off the West Coast repeatedly pulled in cold Arctic air and storms.
“The storm track is actually shifting and bringing a ridge of high pressure or an area of high pressure over the region,” Matthew Cullen, a meteorologist with the Weather Service in Seattle, told McClatchy News on Monday. “And that’s actually associated with the warmer and drier conditions that we’re going to see.”
How hot will it get in Washington?
Western Washington can expect temperatures to peak on Friday and Saturday at around 77 degrees, but the Weather Service is giving the Olympia area a 6% chance of hitting 85 degrees.
Eastern Washington is more likely to hit the 85-degree mark — the Weather Service forecasts areas such as the Tri-Cities to reach 85 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.
“We do tend to be cooler on the western side of Washington for the most part,” Cullen said. “And the reason for that is the marine influence.
“Even when we get high pressure in place, we still often get some sort of a sea breeze off the water in the afternoon,” Cullen continued. “And that tends to give a little bit more moderate temperature.”
How long will it last?
Washington may finally be able to say goodbye to the frigid winter weather, but the Evergreen State isn’t going to stay this warm for long, either.
Cullen said he expects the high-pressure ridge to break down early next week, opening the door for more storms.
“Right now, for the forecast, the most likely scenario would be for highs to be back around 60 degrees from early next week,” Cullen said. “Additional cloud cover and maybe even some rain chances, although it doesn’t look like a terribly wet pattern at this point in time.”
The Climate Prediction Center’s two-week outlook gives most of Washington a 33-50% chance of below-average temperatures and an above-normal chance for precipitation.
This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 2:26 PM.
