WASHINGTON — The start of October wasn’t without a little rain for some spots, mainly across the far north and along the coast, but brighter days are ahead for all of us in Western Washington.
That’s despite the fact that flipping the calendar to October marks the unofficial start of the Northwest’s rainy season.
High pressure aloft will build across the West through the end of the week and into the first weekend of October. That will bring significant heat to parts of the Southwest, while keeping temperatures comfortably warm across the Pacific Northwest.
With mostly clear skies and relatively light winds overnight and during the early morning hours, expect areas of fog to develop. Where it forms, the fog and low clouds should give way to sunshine by mid- to late morning, setting up for pleasant afternoons.
High temperatures this weekend will reach the 60s to lower 70s around Puget Sound. For comparison, Seattle’s average high this weekend is 65 degrees.
So how long will the warmer, drier stretch last? It looks like at least another week.
While average highs fall quickly in early October, from 66 degrees on Oct. 1 to 61 degrees by Oct. 15 in Seattle, we’re likely to maintain milder-than-normal temperatures through at least the end of next week. After that, forecasts suggest a shift toward cooler and wetter conditions around the second weekend of October.
Even with some cooler days and periods of rain expected later in the month, the Climate Prediction Center’s October outlook favors warmer-than-normal temperatures across much of the Pacific Northwest.
The leaves are beginning to turn across Western Washington, so take advantage of the stretch of sunshine and dry weather ahead. It’s shaping up to be a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy some early fall color.
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