textproduct: Seattle/Tacoma

SYNOPSIS

Mostly dry and mild conditions will continue into early next week, before chances for precipitation increase across western Washington in the middle of next week. Drying and warming is on track to return by next weekend.

SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH MONDAY/

No significant changes made to the forecast this morning. THe previous discussion can be found below along with updates to the aviation section:

Upper level ridging will allow a warming trend to continue over the weekend and into early next week as a low pressure system deepens and drifts southward offshore. This weather system will draw moisture southward, keeping conditions across western Washington mostly dry through the short-term. Areas along the Pacific Coast may see brief showers today, with partly cloudy skies elsewhere. Temperatures through the weekend will peak in the upper 60s to lower 70s across much of the region.

LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/

The aforementioned upper level low will move inland by the start of next week, with potential wrap around moisture making its way to southwestern Washington by Monday evening. Chances increase for more widespread precipitation on Tuesday and Wednesday as the low slowly progresses inland, with temperatures returning to near normal in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Ensembles show potential for drier and warmer conditions to return by the end of next week as a sharp high pressure ridge builds offshore. This may allow temperatures to rebound back into the upper 60s to near 70 degrees.

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AVIATION

An upper level ridge axis will build over W WA today, keeping zonal flow aloft in place this morning before the afternoon sees SW flow aloft west of the Sound and westerly to northwesterly to the east of it. As the ridge axis shifts eastward tonight, widespread south to southwesterly flow aloft expected. Surface winds largely light and variable over the terminals, becoming northerly late this morning with speeds generally 4-8 kts.

VFR conditions areawide and look to remain that way for the TAF period as high pressure aloft takes root over the area.

KSEA...VFR conditions for the TAF period. BKN high clouds to become more SCT in the afternoon and remain that way thereafter. Light NE winds this morning, becoming WNW in the afternoon around 5-7 kt.

MARINE

High pressure weakens slightly as the next week front drops in from the north into Saturday. This will allow seas over the far outer coastal waters to increase to 5-7 ft late tonight before decreasing to 5 ft Sunday afternoon. Seas rise again slightly on Monday as another weak system traverses the waters. Winds will be a little stronger over the outer coastal waters during this timeframe as well, peaking on Wednesday. However, at this time neither wind nor waves seem to reach any headline criteria.

HYDROLOGY

River flooding is not expected over the next 7 days.

SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WA...None. PZ...None.