Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

‘Unimaginably Warm Air Above Us’ Promising A Spring-like Weekend

Tim Durkan

Mother Nature is serving up sunny skies and amazingly warm temperatures for the long Valentine’s Day weekend.

KPLU weather expert Cliff Mass says conditions will be “perfect for conditions hikers, bikers and gardeners; let’s not mention skiers." 

A weak front was expected Friday, bringing cloudy conditions and evening showers, but temperatures will remain near 60, Mass said.

“If we didn’t have these clouds today, the temperatures would get way into the 60s,” Mass said Friday. "I can't believe it."

A Warm Valentine’s Day And A Sunny Sunday

Saturday morning will start with clouds, but conditions will improve later in the day.

“It should dry out except in the western slopes of the Cascades," Mass said. "So temperatures getting into the upper 50s, and basically a decent day."

It’ll be a nice day for a walk or run with a loved one, perhaps to work off some of those heart-shaped candies and chocolate.

Sunday, a persistent ride of high pressure “that’s been over us forever,” will strengthen further, bringing full sun and causing temperatures to surge “up to at least 60, maybe even lower 60s,” Mass said.  

Extended Outlook: Sunny And Warm — ‘Way Above Normal’

Monday and Tuesday, Mass expects the ridge to intensify even more.

“So I expect, dry, warm days, temperatures around 60, which is way, way above normal,” he said.

He says that ridge will hold the warm, dry weather pattern in place at least through Wednesday and Thursday. And some of the models keep it up into the weekend and into the next week, Mass said.

“So we have a pattern here that’s not breaking down. It’s going to be much warmer than normal and much drier than normal for the next week," he said. 

Feels Like Global Warming

Mass and most atmospheric scientists agree that the current pattern is caused by natural variability, not human-induced global warming. But it does provide a taste of what the new normal will be like when global warming caused by human activities that emit greenhouse gases kicks in over the next 50 to 100 years.  

That will be the topic of an upcoming KPLU event in Seattle, “Cliff’s Notes: The Future of Northwest Weather.” It will take place at Kane Hall on the University of Washington campus on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

---

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.