textproduct: Seattle/Tacoma

SYNOPSIS

A frontal system will be moving inland this morning, bringing rain, breezy winds and elevated seas to the area today. Cooler temperatures are expected to follow this front through the weekend and into early next week. Overnight lows over the weekend may be enough for localized frost and freeze potential. The next front to impact the area looks to arrive on Tuesday for more rain and breezy winds.

SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY/

The front has arrived on the northern coast early this morning and will bring rain to much of the area throughout the day. The front is moving fairly quickly, with most of the rain expected to be focused in the morning and early afternoon. Rainfall amounts will be just over a quarter of an inch in the central and northern Cascades, with lowland locations expected to see a tenth or less. Snow levels today remain between 5000 and 5500 feet, with a dusting of snow still probable in the higher terrain of the North Cascades.

Breezy westerly to southwesterly winds will impact much of the area during the morning. A concurrent westerly push through the Strait of Juan de Fuca will transition the winds through Puget Sound from westerly to northerly by late this morning. This also means that there will likely be convergence zone activity setting up early this afternoon in central/south King County. Outside of convergence zone activity, expect the showers to become more scattered through the afternoon and evening hours. The strongest gusts (25-35 mph) look to be primarily focused in the northern inland waters, and the Pacific coast. However, there is around a 40-50% chance of wind gusts greater than 35 mph between Port Angeles and Port Townsend, potentially as far east as Whidbey Island this evening. Winds region-wide will be easing tonight into Saturday.

Cooler temperatures are in store behind this front for the weekend for both the highs and lows. Highs will be in the upper 50s to low 60s and overnight lows will be in the upper 30s to low 40s. The mid to upper 30s are most favored in the Cascades and valley locations. Frost and freeze potential is still in the forecast particularly for Sunday and Monday morning. Those with agricultural interest or those with otherwise sensitive vegetation will want to monitor the forecast.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/

Sunday and Monday night will be cold, with daytime highs continuing in the low 60s. This seems to be a fairly steady expectation through the middle of the week. That said, the models are suggestive of another front moving in Tuesday into Wednesday which could bring about another round of rain and breezy winds. Beyond the middle of the week, there is uncertainty in the pattern but they indicate generally that a return to high pressure and mild conditions is favored.

21

AVIATION

A frontal system will move through the area this morning. Post frontal convergence zone setting up over the Central Puget Sound this afternoon dissipating this evening. Another convergence zone setting up Saturday morning over the Central Sound. Southwesterly flow aloft this morning becoming northwesterly this afternoon and northeasterly Saturday morning.

LIFR/IFR ceilings this morning lifting to MVFR this afternoon and VFR this evening. Ceilings in the convergence zone lowering back down to MVFR Saturday morning.

KSEA...LIFR ceilings with visibility 3-5sm until 15Z. Ceilings lifting to IFR late morning, MVFR this afternoon and VFR this evening. Ceilings lowering back down to MVFR Saturday morning. Southerly winds 6 to 10 knots rising to 10 to 15 kt switching to northerly 6 to 10 kt this afternoon. Winds coming back around to southeasterly 6 to 10 kt this evening. Felton

MARINE

A frontal system will move across the waters this morning. A weak surface low will move in behind the front tonight and Saturday. High pressure will build back into the coastal waters Sunday with lower pressure inland. Another system will possibly arrive Tuesday night.

Gale force winds coastal waters and Central and Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca through this evening. Small craft advisory winds over the remainder of the waters except the Puget Sound through this evening. Small craft advisory winds continuing over the coastal waters later this evening through Saturday.

Seas over the inner coastal waters building to 9 to 12 feet later today and tonight subsiding to 7 to 10 ft Saturday morning. Seas over the outer coastal waters 9 to 14 feet today into tonight subsiding to 8 to 11 feet Saturday. Felton

SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WA...None. PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 11 PM PDT this evening for Grays Harbor Bar.

Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM PDT this evening for West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT early this morning for Central U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-East Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

Gale Warning until 11 PM PDT this evening for Central U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-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- East Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM PDT this afternoon for Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands.

Small Craft Advisory from 8 AM this morning to 8 PM PDT this evening for Admiralty Inlet.

Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT this evening for Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater Out 10 Nm.