Seattle wakes up under a gray lid this morning, with clouds draped over the city and temperatures sitting near 54°F at Boeing Field. The low clouds are expected to thin out by later in the day, making room for some honest-to-goodness afternoon sun. Wednesday, May 20, should top out near 67°F with light north winds generally under 10 mph. Overnight lows will slide back into the low 50s, so early commuters may want an extra layer.
Afternoon Sunshine, Warming Through Friday
High pressure rebuilding offshore is set to nudge temperatures into the low 70s on Thursday and around 73 to 74°F on Friday, with mostly sunny skies over much of the metro. Interior neighborhoods will run warmest while shoreline areas stay a few degrees cooler thanks to an onshore breeze. These conditions and timings are outlined by the National Weather Service.
How This Fits With Earlier Forecasts
Local forecasts earlier in the week were already calling for this sun through the day pattern, and that part of the outlook is holding up. What has shifted is the timing of the next system, which now looks more likely to move in over the holiday weekend. So the midweek warm stretch is still a go, but anyone banking on a dry Memorial Day should keep their options open. For that earlier call, see fog fizzles, sun muscles in.
Memorial Day Weekend And Marine Notes
Sunday night brings a chance of rain after 11 p.m., and rain is likely on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, with a high around 60°F and roughly a two thirds chance of precipitation. Small Craft Advisories are in effect at various times today and tonight for parts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and nearby coastal waters, so boaters can expect choppy conditions and the rest of us may see some ferry delays during the late afternoon and evening pushes. Those timing and advisory details are in the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
Planning Tips
Midweek is your best bet for outdoor time, so think layers in the morning and sunglasses by afternoon while the dry stretch holds. If you are heading out on the water or relying on ferries, secure loose gear, double check schedules, and build in extra travel time for the evening rush. For weather sensitive Memorial Day plans, keep an eye on updated forecasts Sunday night into Monday in case that rain decides to linger.
