Western Washington could break another weather record this week
Aug 9, 2017, 6:14 AM | Updated: 9:21 am
(File, AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
(File, AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
First, Western Washington made rainfall records. Then we set an all-time record for most days without rain. Now the region is poised to make another mark in the weather books.
Seattle could potentially set a new weather record, or tie for most days above 80 degrees.
“Surprisingly, the record is only 15 days in a row,” said Dana Felton, a meteorologist with National Weather Service Seattle.
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Wednesday is the 12th straight day the Seattle region is expected to see temperatures of at least 80 degrees. The high temperatures are expected to last through Friday — making it 14 days total.
The 15-day record was set in 1977. We tied the record in 2015.
Felton notes that it’s a gamble over the weekend. The temperature is expected to be around 79 degrees on Saturday, making it entirely possible to inch up into 80 degrees and tie the record. Sunday could be more of the same, though some forecasts are calling for a steep drop to the lower 70s.
“The highs are going to be around 80, so it’s going to be close,” Felton said of Saturday’s forecast. “Right now it’s looking like Sunday might be a little under 80, but yeah we have a good chance of tying it … (We could beat it) it just depends on how things play out on Sunday. Right now we’re going for 78 degrees on Sunday, so it’s right there. It’s possible.”
Believe it or not, the smoky haze that has lingered above Western Washington — resulting in poor air quality — has kept temperatures cooler throughout the region; by about 5 degrees, according to Felton. But the smoke is expected to move out of the area over the coming weekend. When that happens, cooler air is expected to move in.
