Meteorological Spring Arrives In Seattle On A Chilly Note

SEATTLE — It may not look like it yet, but by one metric spring is upon us.

Differing from astronomical seasons, meteorologists and climatologists measure the periods in three-month cycles, based on their annual temperature patterns. In the Northern Hemisphere, meteorological spring covers March, April and May. Like meteorological fall, spring is classified as a "transition season" between the coldest and warmest months.

As previously reported, Puget Sound will be off to a chilly start to March, with temperatures running unseasonably cool and more chances for lowland snow stretching on for the foreseeable future.

Fortunately, there should be a break in the wintry weather during the day Wednesday before the next round of precipitation rolls through in the evening. While still cool, temperatures are forecast to improve slightly in the coming days, and Tuesday was expected to be the coldest night of the week.

With only three weeks to go until the vernal equinox, we're not out of the woods just yet. Updated climate outlooks strongly favor cold weather sticking around beyond into early March, with a returning signal for wetter conditions arriving around week two.

Seasonal projections are tilted toward cooler temperatures lingering across Washington clear into May but show a tossup on whether Washington will stay wet or dry out.

The spring forecast from the Farmers' Almanac predicts typical temperatures and rainfall for the Pacific Northwest this season, with an earlier change in the air possible for the West than many parts of the country.

"Overall, we see a wet and cool season for most places, with spring taking its sweet time to arrive," the Farmers' Almanac writes. "The exceptions will be in the Far West with near-normal temperatures over Washington, Oregon, and Idaho as well as the Southwest, where you'll see quickly rising temperatures."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration typically releases its official spring outlook in mid-March.