Seattle rolled into Tuesday, May 12, 2026 with clear skies and crisp mid-50s air, but the city will not stay cool for long. Inland neighborhoods are expected to climb into the upper 70s this afternoon, while shoreline and island spots hover closer to the upper 60s. That brief warm-up will not last, though, as a Pacific system is set to push in late tonight and spread rain into the region through Wednesday's morning commute.
Afternoon Heat Before The Shift
Mostly sunny skies should nudge highs close to 78°F across many neighborhoods this afternoon, with light west-northwest winds around 3 to 8 mph. The warmest readings will be felt farther inland, with cooler conditions along Elliott Bay and the city shoreline. By tonight the ridge aloft starts to back off, onshore flow returns, and temperatures ease down as moisture moves inland ahead of the next front.
Rain Likely Late Tuesday Night Into Wednesday
Rain is likely after 11 p.m. Tuesday, with showers hanging around into Wednesday morning and setting up a potentially soggy commute. Overnight lows will hold near the low 50s, and the National Weather Service is calling for about an 80% chance of precipitation. Most spots should see between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of new rainfall, though heavier pockets are possible if a thunderstorm develops. South-southwest winds will strengthen overnight into Wednesday, with gusts around 20 to 22 mph possible in the south Sound and interior lowlands.
Commute, Boaters, And The Week Ahead
For Wednesday's commute, plan on grabbing a rain jacket and giving yourself a little extra travel time. Slick roads and reduced visibility look like the main issues in the short term. Out on the water, boaters should keep an eye on the marine forecast, with seas around 4 to 6 feet and a brief bump to 6 to 8 feet expected midweek along with choppier conditions, so small-craft operators should take it slow. The unsettled pattern sticks around into the weekend, with cooler daytime highs dropping into the low 60s, more chances for showers, and a slight risk of afternoon thunderstorms on Friday. For background on how we flipped so quickly from early-week warmth to a showery midweek setup, check out our earlier weekend warm-up forecast.
