Keep those layers handy and also a rain poncho or parka if you’re doing anything outdoors this weekend. It’s typical June weather in the Northwest, which had a nice stretch of beautiful weather lately, but has now entered a period of mixed weather that some people like to call "Juneuary."
The temperatures have dropped and there are lots of clouds around. KNKX weather expert Cliff Mass says this is typical for the time of year we’re in.
Friday: Mixed And Cool
There was an area of convection off the West Coast, quite close to the shore on Friday morning, with heavier precipitation in coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest.
“And that’s going to be moving in during the day,” he said on Friday.
“I expect some showers later in the afternoon, maybe even a thunderstorm,” Mass said. “So, a little bit on the wet side, but not continuously.”
Mass says that system will move through on Friday night, and he expects Saturday to be a partly cloudy day.
Partly Cloudy Skies On Saturday
“Don’t expect it to be warm,” he said, “temperatures are only getting up into the mid-60s, which is pretty typical, a lot of low clouds, maybe a sprinkle or two in the mountains – but I think there’s a good chance there’ll be a few breaks,” he said of Saturday’s weather.
Better on Sunday
Mass says pressure will start building in on Saturday, with the low trough off the coast that was producing those showers earlier in the weekend will move through.
“And so I expect Sunday to be getting up into the mid- to upper-60s; plenty of sun. So [a] pretty decent day,” he said. “And then unfortunately, or fortunately – as the case may be – typical June weather.”
That means expect temperatures in the 60s with lots of morning clouds and sun-breaks in the afternoon.
To hear a more extended forecast, along with Mass's explanation of the so-called "spring barrier" - when the longer term expectations for a La Nina, El Nino or Neutral weather year lie ahead, you can click on the 'play' icon at the top of this post.
The weekly KNKX 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 KNKX 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 podcasts of ‘Weather with Cliff Mass’ shows, via iTunesor Google Play.
