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Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Seattle/Tacoma, WA
Issued by NWS Seattle/Tacoma, WA
201 FXUS66 KSEW 141557 AFDSEW Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Seattle WA 857 AM PDT Wed Aug 14 2024 .SYNOPSIS...Mostly cloudy skies will persist through the morning, with afternoon sunshine and near normal temperatures this afternoon. The pattern looks to trend wetter into the weekend with what amounts to a good chance of widespread precipitation for much of the region. && .SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...No significant changes made to the forecast this morning. The previous discussion can be found below along with updated aviation and marine sections: Weak high pressure replaces the trough that was over western WA over the past few days. This, along with lighter onshore flow, will result in slightly warmer weather and less clouds (more sunbreaks) this afternoon. Highs in the interior will reach the mid to upper 70s with cooler 60s along the coast. On Thursday, weak troughing sets up over the Pac NW once again. This brings more clouds, mountain showers and cooler temps. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the north Cascades near the crest. An upper level low drops down from Canada and spins offshore as we move into Friday. This pattern places western WA under moist, diffluent flow with additional showers and possible thunderstorms in the Cascades. Onshore flow and lower heights keep temps across the region cooler than average. 33 .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...The upper level low will continue to spin offshore through the weekend and into early next week. Western WA is under moist and unstable S/SW flow for a chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday. Moving forward, there`s a break in the precip (for the most part) Monday and Tuesday as showers remain offshore. Ensemble members show more rain possibilities by midweek as the low finally drifts inland. Below average temperatures continue through the period. 33 && .AVIATION...Light, variable flow aloft today as brief ridging builds into the area. Mostly VFR cigs this morning with areas of MVFR/IFR along the coast and across the northern Olympic Peninsula. Cigs will clear through early afternoon for some lingering SCT mid-level clouds later today. Stratus will develop again this evening along the coast and move inland towards Puget Sound into Thursday morning. Generally LIFR/IFR cigs along the coast and southern Puget Sound Thursday morning, with lowering cigs in central Puget Sound as well. Light winds this morning will increase W/NW this afternoon. KSEA...VFR cigs this morning, with a brief chance of MVFR cigs between 16-18z. Otherwise, VFR this afternoon and evening. Cigs will lower again Thursday morning towards MVFR, with a 30% chance of MVFR cigs mainly between 13-18z. Light winds this morning will increase N/NW between 18-20z, ranging 6 to 9kts this afternoon and evening. JD && .MARINE...Low visibilities through the morning along the inner Coastal Waters and Strait of Juan de Fuca in fog. Onshore flow will continue for the majority of this week across the area waters with diurnally driven westerly pushes through the Strait of Juan de Fuca each evening. Winds will near SCA criteria later this evening, though confidence not high enough at this time to issue a Small Craft. Confidence is higher for Thursday with a stronger push through the Strait of Juan de Fuca expected. Seas will remain 3 to 4 feet through Thursday and briefly build to 5 to 6 feet along the outer Coastal Waters on Friday. 15 && .SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WA...None. PZ...None. && $$