Spring-like ‘heat wave’ moves in this weekend

We will get a preview of spring this weekend as the rain dissipates, giving way to temperatures not seen around Puget Sound for some time.

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“Conditions will improve everywhere on Friday,” the National Weather Service reports. “General dry and mild weather is expected this weekend into early next week. In fact, temperatures are forecast to climb into the 60s across much of the lowlands on Monday.”

Temperatures will rise to the mid- to upper-50s on Saturday, March 10. Lows will be in the 40s.

On Sunday could see temperatures in the 60s. The temperature in Seattle could be as high as 63 degrees. The record high, set in 2005, is 65 degrees.

Finally, on Monday, it could hit 70 degrees in some areas. That would break the current record high of 68 degrees set back in 1998.

Unfortunately, another system will move back in on Tuesday, reminding us it’s winter for another week. The official start of spring is March 20.

Spring ‘heat wave’

University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Cliff Mass says temperatures shave been at or below normal over the past month.

“Our high temps have not pushed above normal, but our low temps have dropped below normal on many days,” he wrote.

The cause, according to Mass, is linked to an upper air pattern with high pressure offshore and low pressure over the Northwest.

Even so, we have seen signs of spring. The biggest sign of spring, however, will the next few days before the rain returns.

“…stock up on sunblock and sunglasses,” Mass writes, “and pull out those short-sleeve shirts…”

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