While we’ve endured one of the worst fire seasons in more than a decade across our state, the weather pattern changes occurring with the start of September are a good reminder that — eventually — we’ll have more rainfall and snow to quench those fires.
In fact, recent rains and cooler weather have helped firefighters with containment on some of the larger fires, like the Little Giant Fire north of Leavenworth.
Still, all of eastern Washington is in significant drought status according to the Thursday update of the U.S. Drought Monitor, and this will only a be a slow recovery, waiting for heavier rainfall (and eventually snow) that will come later in September and October.
Friday and Saturday: the upper low will still spin nearby, creating a source of instability and lift.
However, the best chances for any thunderstorms will be in the mountains in the afternoon and early evening.
In the lowlands, we’ll call for partly cloudy skies both days and an outside chance for a rain shower (especially Saturday afternoon and evening.)
Highs into the weekend will be in the low 70s in Seattle.
The upper level low moves away through Sunday and we’ll have some additional sunshine along with some clouds. The same forecast is out for Labor Day through next Wednesday with highs in Seattle near average — in the low to mid 70s.
Some rain chances could return by the end of next week.