Spring Heat Wave!

A spring heat wave is ahead! Temperatures will warm into the upper 70s to low 80s by the weekend. Let’s get to the forecast!

Tuesday was a dry and breezy day, with northerly winds blowing towards a low pressure center in the Desert Southwest. Peak gusts are below.

The northerly gusts peaked at 20-35 mph this afternoon (something discussed in the previous blog...showing the accuracy of our forecast models!).

Tuesday’s winds also dried out the air, with humidity dropping below 30% around most of the area.

Humidity dropped to 15-30%, the lowest values since the September fire weather event. If your skin felt dry today...you probably aren’t alone. Be prepared for more low humidity over the next few days.

Now...what you’ve been waiting for...the upcoming heat wave!

Here’s a UW forecast showing the massive high pressure ridge that will be over the PNW on Friday.

As a rule of thumb...high pressure ridges bring sinking air, which produces an absence of clouds. 

Finally, let’s take a look at the forecast for Puyallup from Weather Underground.

The warmup begins on Wednesday, and temperatures peak over the weekend. Subtract a couple degrees from the forecast above if you’re outside the valley. Be sure to take precautions for heat (sunscreen, loose clothing, drink water, etc). Expect temperatures peaking in the upper 70s to low 80s on the weekend. Temperatures slowly decline to start next week and clouds begin to slowly move back in.

Interesting fact...due to offshore flow and compression of air, Western Washington will be warmer than Eastern Washington because air warms as it descends the Cascades, hence 80+ degrees being in the forecast.

The warmest weather since last September is upon us!