Significant Warmup as Spring Weather Arrives in the Northwest

FastCast--Friday, March 15 to Tuesday, March 19:

A significant warmup is expected as spring weather arrives in the Pacific Northwest. A large high pressure ridge will build over the Pacific Ocean, just offshore of the Northwest and British Columbia. This will deflect systems away from the region, bringing days of mostly sunny and warm conditions. Temperatures will increase each day. Highs will reach the low to mid 60s on Friday, then increase to the upper 60s to low 70s on Saturday and Sunday, making for a beautiful weekend! Monday will be in the mid to upper 60s, with temperatures remaining in the low to mid 60s on Tuesday. Expect conditions this entire time to be mostly sunny, with some partly cloudy conditions on Friday morning and Tuesday afternoon. With sunny days and clear nights, morning lows will be chilly compared to afternoon highs. Expect lows in the upper 30s to mid 40s. This will likely be the warmest weather in Seattle since mid-October 2023!

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Continue reading the full blog below!

With a large ridge of high pressure building offshore, an extended period of warm spring weather is ahead across the Northwest. Let's take a look at the forecast!

First, a look at the pattern causing this warmup. The ridge is seen below on the European model upper-air forecast.

Notice the massive high pressure ridge centered just offshore and over extreme western British Columbia. This is part of an "Omega block" pattern, as the positioning of the two troughs (greenish circles) and the large ridge create an image similar to the Greek letter Omega (Ω).

Now, let's take a look at the effects of that high pressure ridge...our warm spring weather! We will be using the high-resolution National Weather Service National Blend of Models (abbreviated to NWS NBM) forecast for the next few days.

Let's start with the NWS NBM forecast for Friday's highs.

On Friday, expect Western Washington to reach the low to mid 60s, with the mid 60s in the Willamette Valley and the upper 50s to low 60s in Eastern Washington.

The real fun begins on Saturday, with the warmest temperatures since mid-October. I think it's a safe bet that most people will be getting outside and enjoying this. Below is the NWS NBM forecast for Saturday's highs.

This will be an amazing day across the state! Expect lowland highs in the upper 60s to low 70s, with the coast even reaching the mid 60s! Eastern Washington will climb into the mid to upper 60s, with the Willamette Valley reaching the upper 60s to low 70s as well.

Sunday will be almost the exact same as Saturday, as seen below.

The lowlands and Willamette Valley again reach the upper 60s to low 70s on Sunday, with Eastern Washington reaching the mid 60s to low 70s. The only noticeable difference is that the coast will cool ever so slightly, down to the upper 50s to low 60s.

Expect warm and pleasant weather to continue for the majority of the region through at least Tuesday, before we start to cool down and get cloudier.

Finally, to prove how nice it will be, take a look at the rain forecast through Tuesday night from the European model.

Notice that the entire region has virtually zero rainfall through Tuesday (something that will likely continue into Wednesday as well). 

One thing to note about a long sunny & dry stretch in spring is that there will likely be a pollen explosion, so be ready for some allergy flareups over the next 5+ days.

Enjoy this somewhat unusual stretch of sunny and warm weather across the Northwest! And, as always, remember that the area waterways are EXTREMELY cold (but why would you want to swim in March, anyways?). Stay tuned for updates on our warm temperatures!