textproduct: Seattle/Tacoma

SYNOPSIS

Strong high pressure continues to remain over the region this week, maintaining unseasonably warm and dry conditions across western Washington. Conditions will turn more cooler and wetter over the weekend, with snow levels falling to around 3000 to 4000 ft for the start of next week.

SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/

High pressure continues over western Washington for another dry and mild day. High temperatures this afternoon have been generally in the mid to upper 50s in the interior. Areas along the coast and in the Southwest Interior have seen high temps in the mid to upper 60s. Conditions will be similar on Friday, with high temps in the mid to upper 50 range across much of the area.

Flow will turn southwesterly on Saturday with a system moving into the region for a return of lowland rain and mountain snow. Snow levels on Saturday will remain in the 6000 to 7000 fr range and temps will cool in the low 50s.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Lowland rain and mountain snow will continue on Sunday with snow levels lowering to 3000 to 3500 feet, with some accumulating snow expected in the mountains and at the passes. This return of precipitation in the south slopes of the Olympics will create rises on area rivers, more notably the Skokomish River, keeping levels close to minor flood stage late Sunday into Monday. Rain looks to taper by Tuesday but an upper low will keep conditions cool and unsettled heading towards midweek.

Mazurkiewicz

AVIATION

South to southwest flow aloft continues into Friday as an upper ridge axis shifts eastward into the central Rockies and upper troughing offshore draws closer to the region. Low level offshore flow will weaken overnight. Areas of LIFR fog with restricted surface visibility will reform once again tonight into Friday morning across the interior of Western Washington before dissipating most areas by mid-afternoon.

KSEA...VFR will continue into this evening. A return of LIFR fog in the vicinity of the terminal is likely again on Friday morning before clearing by late morning. Surface winds N/NE 5 to 8 knots will back to light southeasterly overnight then light southerly during the day on Friday.

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MARINE

Offshore flow will ease overnight into Friday as a surface high over the interior begins to weaken and a frontal system approaches the offshore waters. The first of a series of frontal systems will reach the waters early Saturday with active conditions expected to persist into the middle portion of next week.

Coastal seas will remain on the hazardous side for the foreseeable future. Areas of dense fog are expected across portions of the interior waters once again on Friday morning.

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HYDROLOGY

Heavier precipitation over the weekend and early next week will force rises on the Skokomish River in Mason County with the river close to minor flood stage. Flooding is not expected elsewhere over the next 7 days.

SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WA...None. PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon for Grays Harbor Bar-West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM PST Friday 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.