WASHINGTON — We’ve started October with mostly warm weather, with highs in most locations running above average for this time of year despite the morning gloom, clouds, and fog.
But now the weather pattern is about to shift, with Thursday looking like the last warm day for quite a while and, for some locations, perhaps the last chance to hit 70° this year.
Why do I say that? Average temperatures fall quickly this time of year. Seattle’s normal high drops from 64° on Oct. 6 to just 56° by Halloween.
The big changes arrive Friday as a stout upper-level trough moves into the Pacific Northwest, bringing colder air and increasing rain chances.
Expect a sharp temperature drop, with highs in the mid-60s on Friday but potentially not even reaching 60° on Saturday and Sunday. If Seattle fails to reach 60° this weekend, it would be the first time since mid-May.
Rain showers will likely arrive Friday afternoon from the northwest, and it’ll become a bit blustery as well. The cold front should shift most of the precipitation into the mountains by Friday evening, though a few lingering showers are likely into Saturday.
In the mountains, snow levels could fall below 5,000 feet Friday night and Saturday, bringing the season’s first flakes to places like Paradise and perhaps as low as Stevens Pass. Lower mountain passes should remain mainly rain.
We look to dry things out for Sunday’s Seahawks-49ers game, but expect temperatures to stay in the 50s in Seattle with a mix of clouds and sun.
Highs next week should remain cool, generally in the low 60s, with morning lows in the 30s and 40s. That could bring some frosty mornings to communities away from the urban core and larger bodies of water, perhaps as early as Monday morning.
Get those jackets ready. Chilly autumn weather is on the way.
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