Very pleasant weather is forecast for this first day of 2012 and plenty of sunshine is expected.  Some increase in cloudiness is expected late ahead of another front on Monday.

Winds will also be light around the Seattle area, though winds will be in the 10-15 miles per hour range with a few higher gusts near Cascade passes and along the Strait.

Highs will be in the 40s to around 50 in the lowlands.

Some shower activity is likely on Monday with the passage of a cold front.  Rainfall amounts around the Sound will be in the 0.10-0.25" range.  Also, the pressure gradient between high and low pressure will give locally gusty winds over 20mph, with winds stronger (over 30mph) over open water through the Puget Sound.  In the mountains, snow levels will be around 5,500 feet on Monday, so Snoqualmie and Stevens Passes will be all rain.   

Tuesday will be a mainly dry day with a few showers across the north and coast ahead of a stronger front on Wednesday which will carry heavy mountain rain (with high snow levels of 5,500-6,500 feet) and an attendant flood threat along the Skokomish River and, to a lesser degree, along Cascade rivers by the end of next week.