Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Seattle/Tacoma, WA

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282 FXUS66 KSEW 150234 AFDSEW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Seattle WA 734 PM PDT Fri Jun 14 2024 .SYNOPSIS...A cool upper-low will influence conditions here throughout the weekend with showers and possible thunderstorms. Weak upper-level troughing aloft into midweek and possibly beyond as well. Below-normal temperatures are expected to warm into next week. && .SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
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Showers passing through western Washington this evening, and the threat for thunderstorms this evening remains low to none. Otherwise, the rest of the forecast remains intact and the previous discussion can be found below. An update to the aviation section has been provided. A broad upper-level low currently exists off the British Columbia coast. Downstream, upper-ridging is prevalent over the Great Plains into the Canadian Prairies. Here locally, a weak frontal boundary associated with the aforementioned upper-low is crossing into western Washington with light shower activity. An isolated chance for a strike of lightning or two exists this evening with low-level lapse rates around 7.0-7.5 C/km. The best chance will be over the Cascades and higher elevations. Showers are on tap to remain overnight with low temperatures ranging between the mid to upper 40s. The upper-low continues eastward, centering over the PNW on Saturday with showers and convergence zone activity. Cold air aloft will bring snow levels down to 4,000-5,000 ft with higher passes (Washington, Chinook, etc.) seeing flakes in the air but road accumulation is unlikely. Along with that, hi-res guidance indicates mid-level lapse rates of 7.0-8.0 C/km and CAPE values around 500-600 J/kg present in the environment, increasing confidence of thunderstorm potential for the Puget Sound region and western Washington. Severe weather isn`t expected but localized downpours, lightning, small hail, and gusty winds are possible within these features. Burn scars could also be affected as a flash flood watch for the potential for debris flows caused excessive rainfall is posted over the Bolt Creek burn scar along US-2 Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening. Highs are to top out in the mid 50s to lower 60s, around 10 degrees below average with lows in the 40s. Troughing remains throughout the short term as cooler weather and shower chances continue but to a lesser extent by Monday. Northerly flow aloft as we`ll be on the backside of the trough, helping to dry things out but lingering showers are possible, especially over the Cascades. Highs will gradually warm but still below average to the lower to mid 60s with overnight lows remaining largely in the 40s. .LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...The long term pattern is a slightly nebulous as models aren`t in the best agreement. Generally weak troughing appears to be on the horizon in the first half of the week with brief transitory ridging in the cards also as things progress. Confidence is there however, regarding temperatures as they`re expected to warm with highs returning to the 70s by Tuesday-Wednesday. McMillian
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&& .AVIATION...
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Southwest flow aloft over Western Washington today will become westerly on Saturday as upper trough axis shifts onshore. The air mass will continue to destabilize tonight through Saturday as cooler air aloft associated with the trough moves in the region. VFR CIGs continue with showers moving across Puget Sound (which may bring CIGs down briefly to MVFR). More widespread MVFR ceilings are expected Saturday morning with shower coverage increasing. A convergence zone is still expected to form over Snohomish/King counties Saturday afternoon/evening. This will introduce a slight chance of thunder in the afternoon in Puget Sound terminals. There remains a chance of thunder at remaining terminals in the afternoon, but coverage is not expected to be as widespread as the convergence zone. The strongest storms will be capable of producing small hail, gusty winds (with some erratic shifts possible), lightning, and heavy rain. Winds outside of the thunderstorms will transition from southwest 6 to 12 kt, to westerly at 8 to 12 kt Saturday. KSEA...VFR CIGs with vicinity showers (a brief MVFR or visibility reduction is possible if a shower tracks over the terminal). The ceilings will lower to MVFR Saturday morning with additional showers overhead. Confidence remains the same for thunderstorms in the afternoon (30-40 percent chance via a convergence zone after 21Z Saturday). Lightning, gusty winds (with erratic shifts), and small hail are all possible. Winds will remain southwest 8 to 12 kt this evening, decreasing to 4 to 8 kt overnight, then becoming westerly Saturday afternoon. 27/HPR
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&& .MARINE...
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Broad surface troughing will develop across the waters through midday Saturday. Surface ridging will gradually rebuild over the coastal waters late Saturday into Sunday with lower pressure remaining over the interior. This will increase onshore flow with gusty winds exceeding 20-25 kt Saturday afternoon and evening. By early/mid next week, broad surface ridging will develop over the coastal/offshore waters, with lower pressure east of the Cascades. This will maintain onshore flow with westerlies reaching small craft advisory strength in the central/east strait daily in the late afternoon and evening. Otherwise, fairly quiet conditions are expected across area waters. 27/HPR
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&& .SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WA...None. PZ...None. && $$