Rain expected to make its return Friday

Washington residents can say so long to what’s left of summer.

While Thursday’s clouds did break for sun by the afternoon, the return of the rain is expected Friday morning, according to KING 5’s Rich Marriott.

The National Weather Service says the Seattle area’s late-season dry spell will end as the pattern changes this weekend to rain, showers and gusty winds.

Forecasters say the first of a series of Pacific systems will move through the state Friday night, and another system on Sunday brings the potential for heavy rain on the coast and mountains. Another system on Monday could bring winds to Western Washington.

Scott Thomsen with Seattle City Light says the windy conditions will be reminiscent to those in 2006; when the area was hit by very big storms that caused power outages for people across Washington and Oregon.

“Breezes moving trees around, you get the potential for any of those limbs that have dried out and died off to come loose,” said Thomsen. If those limbs fall, Thomsen warns they have the potential for coming down on power lines.

Showers remain in the forecast through Wednesday, with high temperatures reaching only the low 60s.

The Washington State Patrol warned that the first rains of the season have the potential to make the road much more dangerous than usual.

“When those rains starts to fall and the roadway gets wet (a lot of small particles of oil) rise up and that time before it actually washes off of the roadway, you have some really slick driving conditions,” said WSP Trooper Julie Judson.

In Eastern Washington, forecasters say the best chance for rain is Sunday and Monday with cool, showery weather continuing into next week.

Forecasters say high temperatures this weekend will be near 60 in Western Washington and around 70 in Eastern Washington with lows in the 40s.

The Associated Press and KIRO Editors Seth Keller and Bob Larson contributed to this report.