Remember last Saturday?  The sun was out with temperatures around 60… the kind of weather that makes you want to dust off the barbeque and enjoy some springtime weather.  As we all know, those days have been few and far between this March.  Rain has been the story all month long with sunny and mild weather a rare commodity over the last several weeks. 

Here we are, rounding out the last couple days of the month and we are looking at one of the wettest Marches on record for Western Washington.  Since record keeping began in 1948 at Sea-Tac, we are currently in the #5 position.  Through 9 a.m. this morning, we have picked up 6.56” of rainfall… almost 3 inches above the monthly average!   Nearly an inch of that rain fell yesterday alone.  

Below is a list of the wettest March weather on record for Seattle.  

Wettest Months of March at Sea-Tac Since 1948

#1    8.40”   (1950)

#2    8.15”    (1997)

#3    7.12”    (1971)

#4    6.74”    (1972)

#5    6.56”  (2012)

With more rain in the weekend forecast, we could certainly slip into the #3 spot before April arrives on Sunday.  Computer models are showing another 0.50” to 0.75” possible around Seattle through Saturday. 

Wet Pattern Remains Locked in Place

I received a tweet from a viewer this morning asking if there is any hope of getting out of this weather pattern in the long-term.  When it comes to long-term forecasting, computer models give us a decent idea 7 to 10 days out.  Beyond that, the confidence level is very low.  So… looking at next week, we are looking at more of the same. 

Trust me, I would love to tell you that a ridge is building in and a sunnier, drier, and warmer pattern is on the way.  Looking at the models however, I can’t say that just yet.   Through Sunday (April 8th) next week, a trough of low pressure is hanging over us.  This keeps the gates open for more storms to move in with cool air in place.  There is a little silver lining if you’re tired of the rain… next weekend is looking much drier.  Despite fewer showers, that colder air looks to remain in place.  We’ll have to exercise more patience until we get back into the 60s with sunshine. 

-Sam Argier, Morning Meteorologist