A persistent high-pressure system will bring frigid temperatures and minimal rainfall to Western Washington this holiday weekend and into next week.
The coldest weather of the season is set to grip Western Washington starting this holiday weekend and persisting into next week. A strong high-pressure system aloft has been steering Pacific weather systems away from the region in recent days and is forecast to continue doing so well into next week. This weather pattern has resulted in a significant lack of rainfall since the 10th of the month. The Seattle-Tacoma International (Sea-Tac) Airport has recorded a mere 1.
01 inches of rain this month, placing it as the third driest January on record if rainfall remains minimal by the month's end. The driest January on record at Sea-Tac occurred in 1985 with only 0.58 inches of precipitation.This persistent high-pressure system has also created a strong temperature inversion – significantly warmer temperatures at higher altitudes compared to near the surface, leading to high temperatures struggling to reach the lower 40s. The average high temperature in mid-January typically hovers in the mid and upper 40s. For much of the Puget Sound region and southwest interior, the temperature inversion has resulted in morning clouds and fog persisting throughout the day. However, other parts of Western Washington have enjoyed ample sunshine, including the mountainous regions.A very weak passing weather system to the north through Friday will offer some relief by breaking up this temperature inversion and its associated clouds and fog heading into the weekend. Expect more sunshine, but temperatures will remain quite cool. With clearing skies, nighttime temperatures will drop to the 20s to lower 30s, while daytime highs will barely reach 40 degrees. The recent dry weather has temporarily halted the building of the mountain snowpack. The Northwest Avalanche Center released its latest snowpack report on January 15th, revealing a range of 69% of normal at Hurricane Ridge to 129% at White Pass. Most other Cascade reports, including Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass, were in the 70 to 90% of average for mid-January. For those planning to enjoy winter sports or drive across the Cascade passes this holiday weekend, anticipate lots of sunshine with freezing levels only between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. While the recent cold weather is suitable for snow, a crucial element is missing – moisture. According to long-range weather projections, the next influx of moisture from the Pacific Ocean is expected late next week. However, these long-range forecasts carry considerable uncertainty. So, for those hoping for a snow day, there is glimmer of hope. Conversely, those who dread snow can also harbor a sliver of optimism. At some point, this period of cold, dry weather will inevitably break. During the transition back to warmer weather, it is not uncommon for lowland snow to fall in Western Washington. For now, prepare for colder-than-average temperatures and dry weather this holiday weekend that is predicted to continue into next week. After that, stay tuned for updates on when and how the transition to milder conditions will unfold
WESTERN WASHINGTON WEATHER COLD SNAP HIGH PRESSURE TEMPERATURE INVERSION SNOWPACK FORECAST
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