Clouds are socked in over Boeing Field early this Saturday, with temperatures hovering around 46°F and a cool, unsettled day lining up for Seattle. Showers are expected to kick in this morning, with thunder likely by midday. Highs top out only in the mid 50s, and the wettest stretch is expected through the afternoon commute. In other words, this is a rain jacket and extra-travel-time kind of day, especially on wet roads and slick bridges.
Afternoon Thunder Risks
Showers should pick up by midmorning, with the best shot at thunderstorms in the city roughly between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. During that window, precipitation chances sit around 75 to 80 percent. The stronger cells could deliver brief heavy downpours, small hail and lightning, so any outdoor plans should have a solid Plan B. According to the National Weather Service, most spots will see only a few tenths of an inch of rain, but localized heavier pockets are on the table.
Commute, Wind And Marine Impacts
Southerly winds of about 7 to 12 mph inland will occasionally gust higher near exposed shorelines and bridges, which will make an already wet commute feel a bit blustery. Out on the water, coastal areas and the Strait are under small craft advisories, with seas building and the potential for brief gale-force gusts in parts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Ferries, cyclists and anyone crossing bridges should plan for slower lines and choppy conditions.
Mountains And Travel
Snow levels are holding near 3,500 feet, and a Winter Weather Advisory remains up for the Cascades through Saturday night. Drivers can expect a few inches on the higher passes, along with the possibility of slushy, slow conditions over Snoqualmie, Stevens and White Pass. If you are heading for the mountains this weekend, check pass conditions and be ready for chain requirements or delays. The pattern eases Sunday into Monday as a ridge builds, with highs climbing back into the 60s early next week.
What We Wrote Earlier
We flagged this weekend cooldown and showery pattern in a Thursday post, and have since fine-tuned the timing and impacts for today’s storms. For the earlier context on how this all set up, see our updated weekend cooldown preview.
