Memorial Day weekend forecast: Enjoy Saturday before rain moves in Monday

Memorial Day weekend weather can be iffy. Some of these “start of summer” holiday weekends have been dry with sunshine, while others offer soggy camping trips or wet outdoor activities.

Many people head out of town for the holiday weekend, while others stay home and participate in outdoor activities like ballgames, hikes, and more.

History of Memorial Day weekend weather

In reviewing the weather for all the Memorial Day weekends this century, going back to 2001, here are the results to learn if it really does seem to rain during the Memorial Day Weekend.

For the 25-year period, there were 10 entirely dry holiday weekends and 15 that had at least some rain in the Puget Sound area. The wettest year? That was 2010 when it rained all three days, with many places getting close to a total of a half inch of rain that holiday weekend. That’s the wet Memorial Day weekend that tends to be remembered.

Yet in contrast, the 2017 Memorial Day weekend had high temperatures climb well into the 80s under plenty of sunshine.

Last year’s holiday weekend started out on Saturday with warm sunshine and highs in many western Washington locations in the 70s. Clouds began to increase on Sunday, and by Monday, some light rain fell with highs cooling into the 60s. The average high temperature during the last weekend of May is in the mid and upper 60s.

Weather for this holiday weekend

The weather forecast for this holiday weekend is much the same, starting with sunshine Saturday and highs generally in the 70s before some light rain arrives Sunday night into Memorial Day itself, and highs dropping to around 60 degrees Monday.

Thanks to the influence of the cooler Pacific Ocean, western Washington tends to be temperate in late May. The typical Memorial Day weekend often has a morning with clouds and an afternoon clearing regime. Those morning clouds just might squeeze out a little bit of rain at times. Half of those 25 years of this century had such a weather pattern.

The mountains, eastern WA

If heading into the Cascades or Olympics for the weekend, Saturday will offer the most sunshine and warm temperatures with the freezing level more than 10,000 feet, good for hiking, camping, and other activities. By Monday, though, some light precipitation is anticipated with snow levels dropping to 5,000 to 6,000 feet.

East of the Cascades weather will also offer warm sunshine Saturday with highs in the 70s and 80s. By Monday, though, the region will have windy conditions with cooler temperatures. Highs are expected to drop into the 60s and 70s.

Wherever you go this holiday weekend, whether a staycation or elsewhere, have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend. And on Memorial Day, remember those who paid the ultimate price for our country.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. Follow him on X and Bluesky. Read more of his stories here.