Late April “Heat Wave” Ahead

FastCast—Tuesday, Apr. 25 to Saturday, Apr. 29:

The warmest weather of the year is ahead, as warmer temperatures finally arrive in the Pacific Northwest. Expect partly cloudy conditions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with sunnier conditions in the afternoons. Highs will reach the low 60s on Tuesday and the upper 60s on Wednesday and Thursday. Areas from Everett northward will be cooler, likely in the low to mid 60s. Mostly sunny and warm conditions are expected on Friday and Saturday, with highs skyrocketing to the mid to upper 70s! On Friday, areas from Chehalis southward have a chance of reaching the low to mid 80s. Coastal regions will be slower to warm up, with highs in the low to mid 60s through Thursday, before reaching the low to mid 70s on Friday. Eastern Washington will reach the upper 60s to upper 70s by Wednesday, increasing to the upper 70s to upper 80s by Saturday! Back in Western Washington, expect lows from Tuesday to Wednesday mornings in the low to mid 40s, then in the upper 40s to low 50s from Thursday through Saturday. Remember…although air temperatures will be warm, Puget Sound and lakes/rivers are frigid, with temperatures in the upper 30s in some rivers to upper 40s in Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the pleasant weather! 

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Continue reading the full blog below!

Real spring weather…consisting of sun and warmth…is ahead for the Pacific Northwest! Let’s take a look at the upcoming highs!

First, Wednesday’s highs from the NBM model.

Tuesday will be 5-7º cooler than Wednesday. On Wednesday (and Thursday), expect lowland highs in the mid to upper 60s from Everett southward and in the low 60s from Everett northward and on the coast. Areas from Olympia southward have a chance to reach the low to mid 70s. Eastern Washington will reach the upper 60s to upper 70s!

If you want a taste of summer (in April), you will enjoy Friday’s highs, seen in the NBM model forecast below.

Friday will be a summer-like day across the Northwest, with clear skies and warm temperatures. In the lowlands, expect highs in the low to mid 70s, cooler near the water and warmer (upper 70s) near the foothills. Even the coast will reach the low to mid 70s, with some areas a bit inland reaching the upper 70s. Areas from approximately Chehalis southward (including the Portland/Vancouver metro area) will skyrocket into the low to mid 80s! Eastern Washington will reach the mid 70s to mid 80s on Friday.

Saturday is also expected to be warm, but details on temperatures aren’t exactly certain yet, so stay tuned!

What is causing this warmth? Below is the European model forecast for Thursday, showing a large high pressure ridge.

Notice inside the yellow box. That strong ridge of high pressure will deflect weather away from the Northwest, bringing fewer clouds and warmer temperatures (due to sinking air in high pressure ridges). 

How long will it last? We are expecting a cooldown back to the upper 50s to low 60s by Sunday, but what comes next is uncertain. Let’s take a look at the NWS Climate Prediction Center outlooks for temperature and precipitation.

First, the temperature outlook for April 30 to May 4. 

Essentially, areas west of Puget Sound have an equal chance of above or below average temperatures. Areas east of the Sound in WA have a 33-60% probability of above average temperatures, increasing as you go east.

What about precipitation? Let’s take a look at the precipitation outlook, also for April 30 to May 4.

Most of Western Washington is in the “normal” range, with a 33-40% probability of above average precipitation through early May for Eastern Washington.

Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming spring “heat wave”!