It’s the last full day of summer, but it feels more like fall outside on this Friday.  Clouds are covering all of Western Washington with some drizzle around the sound this morning.  Those clouds will hold strong through most of the day; some sunbreaks are possible later in the afternoon with temperatures in the mid 60s. 

Autumn arrives at 7:49 a.m. Saturday morning.  As we enter the fall season, the focus of our weather is on a low pressure system currently off the Oregon coast.  Over the next 48 hours this system will be tracking just to our south, setting up over Northwest Oregon on Saturday.  With counterclockwise winds around low pressure, some moisture will be spinning into Western Washington. 

That low will destabilize the atmosphere by creating lift to get showers going.  We’re not looking at widespread rain here, but there will be some showers and thunderstorms developing around our area.  Most of the action will be focused over the Cascade Mountains and along the foothills where dry lightning is a possibility late tonight and tomorrow.  A Fire Weather Watch begins late tonight through Saturday for those areas.  With conditions so dry, the potential for more wildfires is a major concern.  It was lightning that occurred just two weekends ago that started the fires that are still burning over Central Washington. 

The first week of fall

We’ll stay on the cloudier side as we enter the first few days of autumn.  Along with that chance of mountain storms, clouds will be persistent across Puget Sound with some morning drizzle on Saturday.  Much like today, sunbreaks will hold off until late in the afternoon with temperatures in the 60s.  Sunday is looking more promising if you’re looking for sunshine.  Better afternoon clearing is expected with temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. 

Another weak trough will swing across Western Washington Monday through early Tuesday morning.  This will bring a few light scattered showers into the area.  The best chance will be along the coast. 

Looking at the long-range forecast models, our best opportunity for more showers will be Friday and Saturday of next week.  At this point the rain is not looking overly impressive.  Coming off our late summer dry streak however, it’s a little something that may wet those parched gardens. 

-Sam Argier, KIRO 7 Morning Meteorologist