October 16, 2024

Fall is Here to Stay

Last updated 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 16th, 2024

By Eric Theumer, Justin Sjodin , Ethan Knauss, and Amelia Gordon

Happy Wednesday Huskies!

Have you been enjoying the dreary weather this week? It’s been more clouds than rain this October, and we are staring our water year (October 1st) off below average by about an inch, according to the Seattle National Weather Service records. That will all change as we head into the second half of the month, where rain chances will be more frequent. We have more rain on the way this week, and the fall weather will continue to ramp up when we head into November.

Our chances for some showers are improved tonight, as the HRRR model suggests that we may get some light rain in the evening hours, about the same time that temperatures begin to drop low enough in the Cascades (and possibly Olympics!) to support some snow flurries. Showers will be patchy, leading to areas of locally heavier precipitation, as well as a possible Puget Sound convergence zone setting up tonight.

Current conditions near Snoqualmie Pass are foggy, with temperatures near 44 degrees, just a little too warm for snow during daylight hours this early in the season.

Along with the chances of rain later today, there is also a small chance of thunderstorms developing this afternoon into this evening according to the convective outlook today by the Storm Prediction Center. The highest chances for these storms to occur is to the south of western Washington. It will be more locally in the mountains, but we can’t rule out a quick storm passing through the Seattle area.

Stay safe and dry, Huskies!

Reach forecasters Eric Theumer, Justin Sjodin, Ethan Knauss, and Amelia Gordon at theuwdawgcast@uw.edu, on X/Twitter @TheUWDawgcast, or on Instagram @uwdawgcast.