Spring is coming but winter still gripping Washington with cold, rainy weather
Mar 17, 2025, 5:43 AM | Updated: 8:26 am
An overcast day in Seattle along Lake Washington. (Photo: Frank Sumrall/MyNorthwest)
(Photo: Frank Sumrall/MyNorthwest)
Spring begins early on Thursday morning, near 2 a.m., but winter does not plan to give up without resistance. In the waning days of winter, the persistent cool, wet weather is expected to continue through this week.
Lingering showers with some sun breaks will be on deck Monday. Tuesday is expected to be the driest day of the week as higher pressure aloft quickly moves across the region.
The next in a series of Pacific weather systems will spread rain onshore Wednesday. Showers and sun breaks will follow on Thursday before yet another weather system moves ashore for more rain Friday.
Temperatures this week will run approximately 5 degrees cooler than mid-March averages. Highs across much of Western Washington will struggle to top 50 degrees, while lows are forecast to range from the 30s to lower 40s. The average high temperature this week is in the mid-50s.
More on MyNorthwest: WSDOT could prevent snow-related crashes at the Snoqualmie Pass
The Mountains
The cooler-than-average temperatures mean mountain snow levels will be below the passes. Periods of snow are expected through the week above between 1,500 and 2,500 feet. Heavier snow amounts can be anticipated Wednesday and Friday, with totals through the week ranging from 1-2 feet. Motorists driving across Cascade Pass highways should be prepared for winter weather driving conditions.
The additional mountain snow will continue to help cut into the snow deficit. Recent snows have helped boost the snowpack, now ranging from 75-100% of average, and the water in the snowpack has bumped up to 70-100% of normal.
Related on MyNorthwest: Thunderstorm season underway in the Pacific Northwest
The Spring Equinox
The spring equinox will occur at 2:01 a.m. Thursday morning. Days are gaining about 3.5 minutes per day. Monday also marks the rise of daylight hours to more than 12 hours for the first time this year. By late June, when the summer solstice occurs, daylight hours will reach the year’s high point at nearly 16 hours.
According to the calendar, spring begins on Thursday this week, but the weather points to a winter season hangover. Those longer days will eventually produce warmer, drier conditions if our patience can hang in there.
Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. Follow him on X and Bluesky.
