textproduct: Seattle/Tacoma

SYNOPSIS

The strong low pressure system is making its way into the Cascades. Winds have been strong this afternoon, but are on the way down in the Puget Sound area. Elevated winds will continue through the Strait of Juan de Fuca tonight. Drier conditions are forecast for the weekend, with a return to unsettled weather early in the week.

SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/

The low has moved into the Cascades, with more lightning activity now on the east side of the crest. Steady rain is still progressing through King and Snohomish Counties on its way into the Cascades, with scattered showers moving inland from the coast. Winds are beginning to diminish throughout the Puget Sound region, but strong westerly winds are still expected through the Strait of Juan de Fuca this evening on the backside of the front. Additional rain showers are likely through this evening, with drier conditions expected overnight.

Due to the strong winds, there are a number of power outages being reported in the region, as well as debris on area roadways. Exercise caution navigating the region this evening with these hazards and outages in place. Wind advisories are still in effect until 5 PM local time for the south Sound region and coast, and until 8 PM for the northern Olympic Peninsula and Island County. Preliminary wind gust reports show speeds as high as 58 mph on the coast near Westport and 38 mph for Sea-Tac airport today.

Cloudy and cool, though drier weather is expected tomorrow. Highs will struggle to get much above the low 60s. Morning lows will be in the upper 30s in the Cascade foothills and 40s throughout the Sound. More sun is expected on Sunday, but temperatures will remain the same.

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LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/

Zonal flow aloft will allow an additional system to drop into the area Monday evening into Tuesday for renewed chances of rain and breezy conditions. The models aren't exactly sure what to do with the middle of the week, though there is still some semblance of convergence on zonal flow to weak ridging for that time frame. Additional unsettled weather seems possible late in the week as broad troughing returns to the eastern Pacific, as indicated in the longer range ensemble analysis. Highs will be in the low to mid 60s throughout the week.

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AVIATION

Upper level low will exit the region this evening with showers tapering off. However, could still see shower activity with the convergence zone in King and Snohomish counties, especially in the Cascades. Ceilings are a mixed bag with VFR along the coast and MVFR to IFR in the interior. Will continue to see pockets of MVFR and IFR overnight, then becoming VFR Saturday afternoon with high pressure and drier conditions. SW to W gusty winds to 20-30kt will continue this afternoon with highest winds overnight through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 33

KSEA...Showers, gusty winds and MVFR cigs through at least 00z Sat, with winds easing thereafter. Brief IFR to LIFR conditions are possible early Saturday from 14-17z. Expect VFR by the afternoon with surface winds turning northerly. 33

MARINE

Strong onshore flow is expected this evening with strongest west winds through the Strait of Juan de Fuca - a Gale Warning remains in effect. Winds elsewhere will gradually ease. The flow will turn offshore on Saturday with weak high pressure. On Sunday, an approaching frontal system will dissipate over the offshore waters. A stronger frontal system will reach WA Monday night and Tuesday with increasing south winds. 33

SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WA...Wind Advisory until 5 PM PDT this afternoon for Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties-Foothills and Valleys of Thurston and Lewis Counties-Grays Harbor County Coast-Lowlands of Lewis and Southern Thurston Counties-Lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties- Middle Chehalis River Valley-Olympia and Southern Puget Sound-Southern Hood Canal-Willapa and Black Hills.

Wind Advisory until 8 PM PDT this evening for Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca-Island County-Northern Washington Coast- Port Townsend Area-Western Strait of Juan de Fuca.

PZ...Gale Warning until 5 AM PDT Saturday for Central U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-East Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM PDT Saturday for Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery To James Island 10 To 60 Nm- Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery To James Island Out 10 Nm-Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville Out 10 Nm-Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater Out 10 Nm-Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands.

Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT this evening for Admiralty Inlet-Puget Sound and Hood Canal.