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Just In Time For The Weekend: Temps Drop, Rainy Pattern Returns

Tim Durkan Photography
Rainy weather patterns are typical for October in Seattle.

If outdoor plans are in store for you this weekend, you’ll want to keep the rain gear handy and maybe an extra layer as well.

Friday will be the last 70 degree day for a long time, says KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass, as a rainy pattern returns to the Northwest.

He says it’s been amazingly warm for mid-October. Highs hit 70 on Thursday and they’re expected to do so again on Friday.

“That’s ten degrees above normal,” said Mass, who teaches Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington.

“But you’d better enjoy it,” he said, “because this is going to be the last 70-degree day you may see –forever.  It’s going to cool down now a bit.”

He said Friday will bring lots of sun, with partly cloudy skies and highs around 70.

“Maybe even low 70s for a few folks.  A nice day,” Mass said.

Showery Saturday

Then, over the weekend, he says a series of weak disturbances will come through.

“Nothing terrible, nothing really heavy, but some weak fronts will be passing through our area.”

The first should arrive Saturday morning, bringing cloudy skies and a few light showers “more in the mountains,” Mass said, with “temperatures getting up around 64-65, something like that.”

Wetter Sunday

The pattern will repeat itself Sunday, with another system coming through and bringing the potential for slightly wetter weather, Mass said.

“Some rain in the morning, maybe even a convergence zone – so you know, temperatures mid-60s at most,” he said.

More Rain On Monday

Then an even stronger front is expected for Monday, Mass said, with “temperatures still in the 60s and a little bit more rain.”

After that, he sees a ridge building up in the eastern Pacific, bringing in drier weather and pushing temperatures back into the upper 60s for a couple of days.

“So a pretty nice period for Tuesday and Wednesday before another system comes through on Thursday,” Mass said.   

“So you see the rhythm is different than a few weeks ago,” he said. “We’re starting to get back in the systems … the extended dry periods appear to be over.”

In this week’s podcast, Mass explains how the consistent rainy patterns in the Northwest have attracted the attention of NASA scientists testing their new GPM weather satellite. In a few weeks, Mass says "a veritable army of meteorologists” will descend on the Olympic Mountains for a field test program called OLYMPEX.

You can hear the whole conversation by clicking on the “play” icon at the top of this post. 

The weekly KPLU feature "Weather with Cliff Mass" airs every Friday at 9 a.m. immediately following BirdNote, and twice on Friday afternoons during All Things Considered. The feature is hosted by KPLU Environment Reporter Bellamy Pailthorp. Cliff Mass is a University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, a renowned Seattle weather prognosticator, and a popular weather blogger. You can also subscribe to a podcast of “Weather with Cliff Mass” shows.

Bellamy Pailthorp covers the environment for KNKX with an emphasis on climate justice, human health and food sovereignty. She enjoys reporting about how we will power our future while maintaining healthy cultures and livable cities. Story tips can be sent to bpailthorp@knkx.org.