Air quality is still in the moderate to unhealthy range around Western Washington into this evening, due to days of stagnant air and last night’s fireworks smoke. As low level wind flow picks up tonight into Friday, this should slowly improve.
Rain showers will move through Western Washington tonight with rain chances tapering a bit Friday during the day before another round of light rain moves in Friday evening and Friday night. Rainfall amounts will be a quarter inch or less most areas. Don’t expect much sunshine on Friday with highs in the upper 40s in Seattle, a bit warmer than we’ve seen.
In the mountain passes (especially Snoqualmie Pass) and points east, icy travel will continue due to warmer rain falling onto subfreezing surfaces tonight into Friday and a Winter Weather Advisory continues. There have already been cars reported off the road along I-90 from Cle Elum east and travel will be slow and difficult.
Rain will be around through the day Saturday and our attention turns to an area of low pressure offshore that will move near to our coast or possibly inland Saturday night and early Sunday. There is considerable uncertainty as to the strength and track of the low, but it will likely be breezy to windy for a brief time late Saturday night into early Sunday morning. A high wind event looks unlikely but we’ll monitor this as we get closer and the forecast firms up.
Regardless, rain will increase Saturday night and Sunday and will be moderate to heavy at times before rain and wind taper by Sunday afternoon. In the mountains, snow levels will be at or above 5,000 feet so it’ll just be rain through the passes.
After a possible “break” early Monday, more active weather comes our way by late Monday through Wednesday. The flow aloft shifts northwesterly early next week, bringing in colder air aloft. This will mean a better shot at heavier mountain snow, especially around Tuesday.
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