Rainy Pattern Returns This Week

FastCast—Monday, Apr. 18 to Friday, Apr. 22:

After a beautiful Easter Sunday, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s and mostly sunny skies, a rainy pattern is ahead for the next week. Expect a system to move in on Monday, bringing rain at times and a period of gusty winds (up to 30-35 mph) on Monday evening as a front moves through. Scattered showers (and possible thunderstorms) are possible on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rain through Wednesday will total 0.75 to 1.4 inches around the lowlands, with less in the traditional rain shadow and more on the coast. Additionally, expect 6-12 inches of snow in the passes through Wednesday (likely less at Snoqualmie Pass). Showers will continue on Thursday and Friday, totaling around another 0.2-0.3 inches for the lowlands and a couple more inches of snow in the mountains. The good news is that the trough has moved offshore…and this brings rain instead of much colder temperatures. Expect highs in the low to mid 50s (possibly into the upper 50s), and lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. Overall, a bit warmer than last week, with no highs below 50 degrees…but much rainier. Stay tuned!

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Continue reading the full blog below!

After a beautiful and near-average temperature Easter Sunday, a week of rain is in the forecast. Below is the European model forecast for rain through Wednesday.

Expect 0.75 to 1.4 inches in the lowlands through Wednesday, with the most falling on Monday. The coast will receive 1.5 to 2.5 inches, and the traditional rain shadow will receive less than the surrounding areas. Eastern Washington will also receive 0.2 to 0.4 inches, and anything helps for drought relief!

Monday’s system will also bring a brief period of gusty winds in the afternoon and evening due to the cold front moving through. Expect winds to gust up to 30-35 mph, and up to 40 mph near the water and on the coast.

As temperatures are still below normal, snow levels will remain lower than average for April, allowing the snowpack to increase. The European model forecast below shows expected snowfall through Wednesday.

Expect 6-12 inches in the passes (less at Snoqualmie Pass) through Wednesday. Higher elevations will likely pick up 1-2 feet! This April snow is critical to keep Washington’s mountains at average snowpack entering the summer.

The best impact of the upcoming pattern will be the increased rain in Southern Oregon and Northern California. The US Drought Monitor map from April 14th (below) shows that these areas are still in extreme drought conditions. (Note that exceptional drought…dark red…still exists in Eastern Oregon).

These drought conditions in S. OR and NorCal haven’t been helped by the La Niña winter conditions, which favor Western Washington and NW Oregon with more precipitation, and bring much drier conditions to Southern Oregon and Northern California.

Now…for the upcoming precipitation (through Thursday), take a look at the European model below.

Southern Oregon and Northern California receive 1 to 4.5 inches of rain…very good for drought relief! The Northern Sierra Nevada will also pick up some snow!