Late Week Warmup Ahead

FastCast—Wednesday, Mar. 15 to Saturday, Mar. 18:

Scattered showers are expected, with partly to mostly cloudy skies, across the lowlands on Wednesday. Expect highs in the low 50s and morning lows in the mid 30s. Conditions will get better from Thursday to Saturday, with high pressure ridging across the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. On Thursday and Friday, expect mostly sunny skies, with highs in the mid 50s to low 60s. Clouds will increase somewhat later Friday through Saturday, but highs will remain in the upper 50s to low 60s. However, nights and mornings will be on the chilly side. Expect morning lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s, warming up into the weekend. Enjoy the warmer conditions!

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Continue reading the full blog below!

After a chillier than normal beginning of March, we are finally going to experience some warmer temperatures in Western Washington!

Why is this happening? After weeks of troughing (constant low pressure, bringing weather systems) over the Gulf of Alaska, the trough will be replaced by a high pressure ridge. Ridges compress the air and bring clearer skies. This is seen on the European model forecast below (note the black box).

This ridge will deflect showers away from the region from late Wednesday through late Saturday, bringing a nice, warmer break from the cooler March we’ve been having so far. What will the temperatures be?

Let’s start with the European model forecast for Thursday morning’s lows. While temperatures will be warmer, clearer skies under a high pressure ridge will allow for cold nights, as seen in the forecast below.

On Thursday morning, expect lows across the lowlands in the upper 20s to mid 30s, warmest near the water and coldest in outlying areas. Eastern Washington will drop into the low 20s to low 30s.

Next, highs on Thursday from the European model (seen below).

Expect highs in the lowlands on Thursday to reach the low to mid 50s, warmest away from the water. Areas from Olympia southward have a better chance of reaching the upper 50s to low 60s.

Friday morning will be another chilly one, as seen in the European model forecast below.

Generally, expect lows in the low to mid 30s, a bit warmer than Thursday morning, but not by much. Eastern Washington will be a tad warmer, in the mid 20s to low 30s.

Friday will be the mostly sunny day we’ve all been waiting for! Take a look at the European model’s forecast for high temperatures below.

On Friday, expect highs in the lowlands, on the coast, and in the Willamette Valley to be in the upper 50s to low 60s! High clouds will slowly increase from Friday afternoon onward, but highs in the upper 50s to low 60s are expected again on Saturday. 

Enjoy the warmth!