March ends with rain—but is sunshine and warmer weather on the way?

It may be difficult to remember or realize, but March came in like a lamb and it looks like it will go out like a lion. On the first of this month, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) had a high temperature of 61 degrees with sunshine. Bellingham was also 61 that day, and Olympia reached 65 degrees.

As the calendar finishes the month, more cool showery weather is in store Monday spilling over into early April.

Another upper level low has replaced the one that resided off the coast for much of last week. This weather system will again circulate a cool unsettled air mass onshore for more spring showers along with some sunbreaks Monday into Wednesday.

Cool temperatures in store for western Washington

High temperatures will feel rather cool again, only reaching the 50 to 55-degree range, while lows will bottom out in the mid-30s to lower 40s. The average high temperature for around the first of April is in the mid-50s.

The offshore upper low is forecast to slowly drift into Oregon Tuesday and Wednesday, taking the cool, showery weather pattern with it by Thursday. As the end of the week approaches, higher pressure aloft is forecast to build over the Pacific Northwest, bringing drier and warmer weather.

More sunshine is anticipated to emerge Thursday, and by Friday, considerable sunshine will bathe the region. High temperatures on Friday will feel more spring-like, climbing to near or above 60 degrees—just in time for the Seattle Mariners’ next home stand to begin against division rival the Houston Astros.

In the mountains, more rain and snow showers are expected through Wednesday, with the snow level hovering around 2,500 to 3,000 feet. A few more inches of fresh snow are forecast. And a reminder: the deadline to remove studded tires is Monday, March 31st.

March was first month with above average rainfall

March will finish with above-average rainfall for the first time this year. Through Saturday, SEA had already exceeded the monthly average of 4.17 inches, recording 5.07 inches. After being close to 7 inches behind normal for the year earlier this month, the rain deficit has shrunk to around 3 inches.

Olympia, through Saturday, had received 5.73 inches of rain so far this month. The monthly average is 5.68 inches, but for the year, it remains about 5 inches below normal.

Bellingham made up a great deal of ground this month, rainfall-wise. The rain total so far is just over 5 inches, and for the year, it’s now just over average. Coastal areas have also been wet this month, but still remain between about 4 to 12 inches behind average for the year.

With spring showers to finish the month, March looks like it will go out like a lion after coming in like a lamb. Yet later this week, it will feel more like spring with sunshine and warmer temperatures expected to extend into the coming weekend.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. Follow him on X and Bluesky.