Sunny skies on the Fourth of July are not something to take for granted in Seattle. But revelers can count their blessings this year, as the clouds are expected to burn off and give way to a decent day for picnics and fireworks displays, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass.
“Much better than some other Fourth of Julys,” Mass said.
Mass predicts a partly sunny afternoon and temperatures getting up into the lower or mid-70s.
“So, really quite a nice day,” he said.
Cooler Saturday
If your holiday weekend plans are weather-dependent, you’ll probably need to hit the road to see the sun Saturday, as clouds and cooler temps move in to northwest Washington.
“The name of the game for outdoor recreation is either go east of the mountains or go south of Seattle, and the weather’s going to be better, particularly on Saturday,” Mass said.
Mass says southwesterly flow is developing aloft, so some weak weather systems will clip the state. He predicts increasing cloudiness and precipitation along the northwest coast and throughout northwest Washington during the afternoon and early Saturday evening.
“Those clouds will probably spread as far south as Tacoma and Olympia,” Mass said, “and temperatures will only get into the lower 70s at the highest.”
Improving Sunday, Hotter Start to Week
On Sunday, as those weather systems start moving through, there should be an improving trend, says Mass.
“Temperatures will get into the mid-70s and maybe even the upper 70s on Sunday, particularly if you go south of Seattle,” he said.
As the ridge builds up late Sunday into Monday, summer weather comes back, with no precipitation and temperatures getting back up into the 80s on Monday and Tuesday.
“So, actually, a good trend except for Saturday, where we’re going to get those weak weather systems on the coast and in northwest Washington,” Mass said.
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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.
