SEATTLE — Another round of warm weather is in store for Seattle and western Washington late this week, continuing into Mother's Day weekend.
Confidence is increasing that we will see temperatures well above average beginning mid-week with temperatures around 15-30 degrees above average from Friday through Sunday. The average high in Seattle is 65°.
The Climate Prediction Center's 6-10 day temperature outlook supports this and gives the odds of above-average temperatures of 70-90% during this timeframe for the state of Washington.
6-10 day temperature outlook
The warm-up really begins Wednesday into Thursday with highs approaching 70 degrees on Wednesday and climbing into the lower 70s Thursday. The warmest period during this warm-up is expected for Friday through Monday with highs climbing into the mid to upper 70s Friday and lower to mid-80s Saturday and possibly the upper 80s and 90s Sunday. Highs stay well into the 80s for Monday.
Favored areas to see temperatures near or in the 90s Sunday will be interior parts of the Puget Sound lowlands, the Cascade foothills, and the Southwest Interior. Current guidance gives the chance of 90s for these areas at 40-60%. The Seattle National Weather Service is monitoring these areas for the potential of a Heat Advisory for Sunday.
The heat will not only be well above average but it'll approach record territories for the time of the year for some areas including in Seattle with the best chance of setting a record coming both Sunday and Monday.
Here's a look at the forecast highs compared to the records for the Emerald City:
Friday, May 12
Forecast: 77 degrees, Record: 81 degrees (1959)
Saturday, May 13
Forecast: 83 degrees, Record: 85 degrees (2018)
Sunday, May 14
Forecast: 88 degrees, Record: 88 degrees (2018)
Monday, May 15
Forecast: 85 degrees, Record: 85 degrees (2007)
5-day high-temperature forecast for Seattle
6-10 day high-temperature forecast for Seattle
This heat event will bring the warmest temperatures since 2022 when Seattle hit 88 degrees on Oct. 16. The last time Seattle saw three consecutive days of temperatures 80 degrees or warmer was August 29-31.
This year, Seattle hit 80 degrees on April 28 but the current forecast calls for the city to exceed this Saturday through Monday.
For the month of May, Seattle typically sees two days of 80 degrees. The record is seven conseucitve days of 80 degree days back in 1958. While the current forecast calls for Seattle to stay just below 90 on Sunday, it'll be close. Seattle normally sees its first 90 degree day on July 3. The earliest 90 degree day in Seattle is May 17, while the warmest May temperature on record was 93 degrees in 1963.
The warm to hot temperatures are expected as a summer-like weather pattern develops across the West Coast late this week with a ridge of high pressure building over the region. This high pressure is expected to strengthen and center itself over the Pacific Northwest over the weekend, which is what will bring the warmest temperatures since October to western Washington as winds flip offshore helping spike heating due to compressional heating.
Weather setup this weekend
It is important to remember that water temperatures are still cold despite the warm air temperatures. If you plan on enjoying the warm weather on the water, please practice all the appropriate safety measures for you, the kids, and the pets if you plan on taking a dip.
Current water temperatures
This heat event is still several days out so some slight changes in the forecast highs are possible over the coming days as details become clearer. Keep checking back for updates and get the proper, safe cooling methods implemented before the heat arrives.