Rain at Times Through Monday, Then Warmer Weather Expected

FastCast—Saturday, Mar. 19 to Wednesday, Mar. 23:

After a few drier days, showers are expected at times through Monday. Through the weekend, expect 0.4-0.8 inches of rain around the lowlands. From Monday to early Tuesday, a bit more rain is possible. Additionally, expect 4-12 inches of snow at the passes this weekend. By Tuesday, the skies will clear up, and temperatures will increase. On Tuesday and Wednesday, expect highs in the low to mid 60s…just in time for spring! Between Saturday and Monday, expect highs in the upper 40s and lows in the upper 30s to mid 40s. On Tuesday and Wednesday, expect highs reaching the low to mid 60s, with lows in the low to mid 40s.

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Over the weekend and into next week, rain will return to Western Washington. Below is the rain forecast through 5 AM Monday from the NAM model.

Expect 0.3 to 0.8 inches of rain across the lowlands. The coast will receive 1-3 inches, and the foothills may receive up to 1.5 inches. A rain shadow is likely on the N/NE side of the Olympic Peninsula as well. More rain is possible on Monday.

With generally colder temperatures in this weekend’s weather systems, mountain snow is expected. Below is the NAM forecast for snow through 5 AM Monday.

Generally, expect around 6-12 inches of snow at the passes, with more at higher elevations. Significant travel impacts aren’t expected.

Once the rain moves out by early Tuesday, warmer weather is expected for Western Washington! Tuesday and Wednesday will have similar high temperatures, likely the warmest of the year so far! Below is the European model ensemble mean forecast (the average of many runs of the forecast model) for high temperatures on Wednesday (the 23rd).

On Tuesday and Wednesday, highs will reach the low to mid 60s in the lowlands. SW Washington, the Willamette Valley, and the Columbia Basin will potentially reach the upper 60s. 

It will definitely feel like spring…and astronomical spring starts on Sunday!