Windy weather this weekend will make umbrella use a bit problematic, but you probably will need a parka or other rain gear, at least for the next day or so.
“We have an upper level trough over us and that brings cold air and unstable conditions where we get the cumulous (puffy clouds) and thunderstorms developing,” said Mass.
And so on Friday, Mass says expect some showers, especially in the mountains and South Sound.
“North of Seattle, we’re going to be a little bit rain-shadowed by the Olympics, but I think even we will get a few showers,” said Mass, who teaches Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington. E says temperatures will reach the mid-50s, “maybe 57 or 58- it won’t be so bad.”
Showery Saturday:
The trough of low pressure will be moving out and so expect “a few showers, some clouds, but it should be better than Friday,” Mass said. “And it should improve during the afternoon.” He says the worst place will be in the mountains, “so if you’re thinking of going on a hike on the windward side of the Cascades, you might want to bring some rain gear,” he said.
Sunday = “the best part of the weekend”
Mass says Sunday morning should be dry, but with some clouds coming in during the afternoon, as a warm front approaches. So he says he expects most of Sunday to be dry. “But during the middle of the afternoon, the clouds will thicken up and showers will develop along the coast and in Northwest Washington, especially up in the San Juans and towards Victoria.
Monday temperatures hitting 70s...!
Mass says that warm front will move through on Sunday night and “we’ll actually get into much warmer temperatures on Monday, as the warm air streams in and an upper level ridge builds over us.
“So, Monday, the temperatures could easily get to 70 degrees and partly cloudy skies – so that will be the best day of the next few days,” said Mass.
For more on the wind and how it affects dust in the atmosphere, be sure to listen to the full interview, by clicking the "play" icon at the top of this post.
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The weekly KPLU feature "Weather with Cliff Mass" airs every Friday at 9 a.m. immediately following BirdNote, and twice on Friday afternoons during All Things Considered. The feature is hosted by KPLU Environment Reporter Bellamy Pailthorp. Cliff Mass is a University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, a renowned Seattle weather prognosticator, and a popular weather blogger. You can also subscribe to a podcast of “Weather with Cliff Mass” shows.
