March 29, 2023

The Rain Returns

Last updated 4:52 PM, Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

By Joseph Renalds

Happy Wednesday Huskies!

I hope everyone is having a good start to Spring Quarter so far. 

These last couple days we felt the impact of a strong area of low pressure off the west coast. It has been keeping clouds over many areas in Western Washington, but the east wind it caused allowed us to get near or above 60 degrees. The rest of today will be great for checking out the cherry blossoms in the Quad or just being outside in the sun. As always, make sure to enjoy this nice weather while you can.

 

Thursday looks like it will be both cloudier and cooler than today, but it will be dry. Temperatures will once again drop below average with the high only looking to top out in the low 50s. Our average high temperature for the last week of March is 56 degrees. The Seattle Mariners have their season opener on Thursday with the first pitch at 7:10 PM. It looks like a nice evening to be at T-Mobile Park, but make sure to keep the jacket handy.

As we are finishing up Week 1, a frontal system will move into the region Friday evening bringing with it rain, blustery winds, and mountain snow. By 5:30 PM, rain should be over much of the area in Western Washington.

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the Washington Cascades from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. 12 to 24 inches of snow is currently forecast to fall above 2,500 feet, which includes Stevens and Snoqualmie Passes.

By Saturday morning the front will have moved through the area but showers will still be around. The air aloft will be fairly cold and will make the atmosphere a bit unstable so don’t be surprised if you see some small hail or even hear a clap of thunder in some of the heavier showers. While we do not get many thunderstorms in this part of the country, springtime is when we are more likely to see them around.

A quick look at next week shows more showers, clouds, and sunbreaks to start off Week 2. In other words, a classic Western Washington spring.

Have a great rest of your first week Huskies!

Reach forecaster Joseph Renalds at theuwdawgcast@uw.edu, on Twitter @TheUWDawgcast, or on Instagram @uwdawgcast.