Seattle woke up on Thursday, April 16, 2026, under mostly cloudy skies and a sharp, near-freezing chill, with many lowland thermometers hovering between 36 and 38°F. Frost settled into low-lying yards and onto unprotected plants, leaving gardeners and early commuters scraping windshields and eyeing any tender vegetation with concern.
Morning Frost And Advisories
The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory and Freeze Warning through 9 AM PDT Thursday for parts of southern King County, the Chehalis River valley, and several lowland areas, where sensitive outdoor plants and uninsulated plumbing could take a hit. According to the National Weather Service, most neighborhoods should climb above freezing by mid-morning, at which point the advisory will be allowed to expire as sunshine breaks through.
Afternoon Sunshine And Light Winds
By Thursday afternoon, the chill eases as the sun makes a more confident appearance, pushing highs to around 56°F with light southerly breezes of about 5 to 6 mph. Any icy film on roads or windshields should be long gone by then. For context on how this lines up with recent patterns and upcoming weekend shifts, revisit how Seattle soaks on Saturday.
Weekend Outlook
Forecasters are tracking a weak upper-level low sliding south from the Gulf of Alaska late Saturday into Sunday. That system is expected to bring increasing clouds and a chance of light rain to the coast and the Olympic Peninsula, while many spots near and east of Puget Sound may stay comparatively drier. Highs are expected to rebound into the mid-60s by Sunday and Monday, with rain chances ticking up again heading into early next week, according to the National Weather Service.
What To Expect And Tips
Overnight, cover tender outdoor plants and bring potted plants inside if you can, as frost damage will be most likely in the Chehalis Valley and other sheltered hollows. For commuters, afternoons look mostly clear, with roads generally in good shape after about 10 AM. A light jacket should still come in handy for those brisk evening hours.
