Big warmup on the way with temperatures in the 70s this weekend

WESTERN WASHINGTON — It may not look like it now on a cool and wet Monday, but shorts will be in your future by the end of the week!

In honor of the warmup, let’s talk fun facts for a second. Our first 70° day usually happens around Apr. 15. The earliest we’ve had 70° was back in 1968 on Feb. 27, with our latest being in 2003 on May 23.

As of Monday, it’s been 189 days since our last 70° day and usually, we go 189 days from the last to the first — so are we technically running behind schedule? Yes. But hey, in this case, better late than never!

Forecast

Spotty showers are picking up a bit Monday afternoon, with partly to mostly cloudy skies and temps around 50°.  That trend will continue for the rest of the day, with light spotty showers and sunbreaks decreasing late Monday night. Highs will be in the mid to upper-50s.

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Tuesday, we should see a fair amount of cloud cover for the first part of the day, but then some clearing in the afternoon. We’ll turn partly sunny in the upper-50s and lower-60s.

A ridge of high pressure will build in Tuesday, but not be very amplified or strong. That means a weak system will ride over the north end of the ridge on Wednesday, for more clouds but mainly dry weather. However, we should still make it into the low-60s for the first time this month!

We’ll see increasing sunshine on Thursday in the mid to upper-60s and lower-70s! Friday and Saturday will be our warmest days in the mid to upper-70s! Our first 70° day of the year!

Cooler ocean air will hit the coast on Saturday, as offshore flow begins to turn onshore. I do believe inland areas on Saturday will still be warm to hot, but we’ll all feel the cooler air on Sunday. Still, Sunday will be in the upper-60s with at least partly sunny skies.

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