Light snow fell at Steven’s Pass Thursday night, serving as a reminder that spring’s not quite over yet, said KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass.
But he says that’s about as surprising as it will likely get this weekend. He’s expecting the gloomy Northwest weather that’s been persisting this week to continue through the weekend.
“Today and tomorrow and I’m afraid Sunday are going to be pretty cloudy west of the Cascade Crest,” Mass said. That’s because of some very strong onshore flow that’s currently driving the weather.
A Persistent Trough
“A trough is aloft above us and that is bringing this low, strato-cumulus, marine air over us. And we’re going to be cloudy through at least Sunday late afternoon,” Mass said.
Come Memorial Day, though, he expects a change.
“I think we’ll see the break on Monday – Monday, it’ll change.”
Till then, he predicts it will get a bit damp at times. He says some very small-scale troughs are moving through and he expects they’ll bring showers with them.
“That’s going to give us enough lift to give precipitation, certainly on the western slopes of the Cascades,” Mass said. “And I think even here in the lowlands we’ll see a few light rain intervals. So, a little sprinkley.”
For those who want a warmer weekend, Mass offers his usual advice: go east.
“If you want to get out of this, it’s very easy. Just cross the Cascade pass. Once you get into eastern Washington, it’s going to open up, temperatures will be probably in the low 70s.”
Warmer On Memorial Day
“Now on Monday, that’s the day you want to get out, “ Mass said of the weather west of the Cascades.
He says a ridge of high pressure will start building in, bringing back some sunshine.
“And I think temperatures will zoom from the lower 60s of Saturday and Sunday to probably near 70 on Monday. So, it’ll be decidedly warmer. That’s the day to get out.”
Ever Better Mid-Week
Mass says the real end to the gloom will likely come after most people are back at work.
“Unfortunately, it’s not over the weekend,” Mass said. But he says that’s when he’s expecting the biggest improvement.
“The ridge, the area of high pressure, is going to zoom up – amplify” Mass said. “And temperatures will get into the mid to upper 70s early in the week – maybe even low 80s as we get into Wednesday and Thursday,” Mass said.
He added that it’s a little soon to be sure, but as far as he can tell, there will be a big improvement.
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.
