textproduct: Seattle/Tacoma

SYNOPSIS

A frontal system will move across Western Washington today for lowland rain and breezy winds. Another system will move into Oregon and southern Washington Sunday. Unsettled weather continues early next week with split flow. A brief period of drier weather Wednesday before additional systems late week.

SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH MONDAY/

Rain will continue to spread inland through the morning as the front moves across Western Washington today. Southerly winds will also continue to be breezy into the afternoon. Wind gusts will be strongest along the coast, and from Whidbey Island northwards, where gusts of 25 to 40 MPH are expected. Localized gusts to 45 MPH may also occur around Whidbey Island, Bellingham, and the north coast, but are not expected to be widespread. The bulk of the precipitation will push east of the lowlands by this evening, with lingering precipitation into the Cascades tonight. Another system will move into Oregon on Sunday, with the best chance of precipitation Sunday from Snohomish County southwards. Snow levels around 6000 feet today will drop towards 4000 to 4500 feet by Sunday afternoon.

Cool, unsettled conditions continue Sunday night and Monday with lingering, light precipitation. Snow levels fall to 3000 to 3500 feet during this period, resulting in light snowfall accumulations for the mountains, including the Passes. Temperatures will also cool, with highs mainly in the mid to upper 40s by Monday.

LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/

Weak troughing will be over Western Washington Monday night through Tuesday. However, the majority of the energy associated with the troughing will be focused over California, with more of a split flow regime over the Pacific Northwest. Precipitation chances dwindle on Tuesday, although still remain, with POPs mainly around 20 to 30 percent. Weak ridging nudges into Western Washington on Wednesday, likely resulting in a drier day for much of the area, although areas of fog and stratus are expected, at least in the morning. Another front is forecast to move towards the area Thursday, with increasing precipitation into Friday. JD

AVIATION

Ceilings across the interior will continue to lower to MVFR levels as rain streams into the area ahead of and with an incoming frontal system. Localized IFR conditions remain possible with increasing rain showers. Rain will continue across the area through tonight, ceilings expected to remain low tonight going into early Sunday morning as moisture lingers across the area. Widespread MVFR ceilings with IFR possible along the coast. Gusty southeasterly surface winds ahead of the front this morning/early afternoon, with the strongest winds north of KPAE - gusts up to 30-35 kt will be possible this afternoon before winds begin to ease tonight.

KSEA...VFR conditions will lower to MVFR levels over the next few hours and remain in that range for the remainder of the TAF period. Rain begins to taper off around 06Z Sun with scattered showers may linger through around 12Z. Southeasterly winds will increase this morning, peaking this afternoon before becoming mostly light overnight into Sunday.

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MARINE

A frontal system will continue to traverse across the area waters today. Small Craft Advisory winds will continue across the coastal waters through late this morning, while winds through the interior waters will begin to increase later this morning and through much of the afternoon. Following the frontal passage, a quick push of westerlies down the Strait of Juan de Fuca will keep headlines going for the central and east Strait into tonight. Otherwise, winds ease area-wide tonight.

A few additional weak systems move through the area Sunday and Monday but winds look to remain below advisory thresholds. Broad high pressure begins to set up on Tuesday through mid-week for more tranquil conditions. The next more significant system looks to arrive by the end of the week.

Seas will rise up to around 12-14 ft today before easing to around 8- 10 ft through Tuesday. Seas may continue to lower below 8 ft into mid-week.

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HYDROLOGY

Heavier precipitation over the weekend will force rises on the Skokomish River in Mason County over the weekend with the river continuing to remain 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 10 PM PST this evening for East Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-Grays Harbor Bar.

Small Craft Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon for Admiralty Inlet-Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands-Puget Sound and Hood Canal-West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM PST this evening for Central U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM PST Sunday 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.