Seattle woke up to a classic March soaker Friday, with light but steady rain, temperatures parked in the mid-40s, and a low, stubborn cloud deck draped over the city. Streets are slick, wipers are on, and the morning commute is running slower than usual under the persistent showers. Forecasters say most lowland neighborhoods are on track to collect roughly a quarter to a half inch of rain through early Saturday.
What To Expect Today
Rain is expected to hold steady through the afternoon, with a high near 50°F and south-southwest winds generally staying below 15 mph. The National Weather Service is calling for a 100% chance of precipitation and is sticking with new rainfall totals between a quarter and a half inch for lowland and coastal areas. Low ceilings and occasional reductions in visibility are likely at Sea-Tac and Boeing Field, so anyone catching a flight should plan on a little extra cushion getting to the airport.
([forecast.weather.gov](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?FcstType=text&lat=47.32&lg=english&lon=-122.52&utm_source=openai))
Weekend Into Next Week
Saturday looks a bit less soggy in downtown Seattle, but the mountains are not taking the day off, with pass-level snow expected to climb above 5,000 feet today and peak near 8,000 to 8,500 feet overnight. By Sunday evening, snow levels are forecast to drop back toward the lower passes. That drop opens a window for a rain-and-snow mix in some interior lowland spots early next week, while the Cascades could pick up heavier snow accumulations through midweek. This sharpens the picture from our earlier soggy stretch outlook and shifts attention to possible river rises later in the week.
([forecast.weather.gov](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?FcstType=text&lat=47.32&lg=english&lon=-122.52&utm_source=openai))
Travel And Marine Impacts
For Friday's commute, the main issues are wet roads and slick bridge decks, so slow down, leave extra space, and watch for standing water in low spots. Low clouds and steady rain could briefly push conditions into IFR territory at Sea-Tac, and gusts along exposed ridges may reach the 20 to 25 mph range at times. Out on the water, mariners and anyone planning trips on the Sound or offshore should pull up the latest National Weather Service forecast before casting off.
([forecast.weather.gov](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?FcstType=text&lat=47.32&lg=english&lon=-122.52&utm_source=openai))
What To Do
For now, it is all about basic wet-weather tactics: ease off the gas on shiny pavement, pad your schedule for commutes and flights, and keep the rain gear close at hand. If you are planning to cross the mountain passes, check road conditions before you go and consider waiting for a better window if conditions look marginal. Those with property along river bottoms should keep an eye on forecasts later next week for potential river rises. We will keep tracking the setup and update as the next systems move in.
