First full week of Spring is here, bringing 7:30 p.m. sunset and threat of thunderstorms with it

The first full week of spring is going to offer an array of spring weather, ranging from sunshine and record high temperatures Tuesday, to showers the rest of the week, and even the threat of thunderstorms Wednesday.

Monday’s weather will involve Sunday’s rain tapering off by nightfall. High temperatures will feel mild – rising into the 50s with a few locations topping 60 degrees.

Upper level high pressure building over Western Washington Tuesday promises more sunshine and the warmest temperatures of the year thus far, and the warmest since mid-October last year. High temperatures are expected to warm well into the 60s with some places cracking the 70 degree mark.

The first full week of spring also means daylight hours continue to get longer. The rise to 12 hours of daylight occurred last week, and this week, Wednesday will have the first 730 PM sunset of the year.

Record high temperatures Tuesday, but threat of thunderstorms the next day

The warm up on Tuesday will likely produce some record daily high temperatures.

For instance, the record high for March 25th at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is 64 degrees set in 1969. Olympia’s record high is 67 also established in 1969 while Bellingham’s record high for the date is 62 set in 1960.

But there is also the threat of thunderstorms on Wednesdays

An upper level low is forecast to set up just off the coast Wednesday and create an environment of unstable air for a growing threat of showers and even thunderstorms. Spring is the primary thunderstorm season in Western Washington and the weather into Wednesday night may be enlightening (pun intended). Remember – when thunder roars, go indoors.

The offshore upper level low looks like it will park itself there the rest of the week. Thursday and Friday will feel much cooler with high temperatures dropping back down into the 50s with on again, off again showers.

Seattle Mariner’s season opener and series

This soggy weather pattern promises the Seattle Mariner’s home opener against the Oakland A’s on Thursday will likely have the roof extended over the stadium. The showery weather is also expected to continue into the coming weekend through the 4-game home opening series.

Given the much warmer air moving into the region, the week is expected to start with snow levels well above the mountain pass highways. Snow levels will range from 7000 to 8500 feet through Wednesday. Then cooler air involved with the offshore upper low is forecast to drop snow levels down to around 4000 feet on Thursday and 3000 feet Friday.

A reminder for those with studded tires, the deadline to remove them is the end of this month – March 31st. Tire stores are likely to get busy through this weekend – make appointments soon.