Wet, But Mild January Forecast For The Seattle Area

SEATTLE — The National Weather Service expects "generally wet and mild conditions" during January, but there may still be periods of active weather, depending on the track of upcoming storm systems.

While Washington will avoid the stronger impacts of storms hammering California and Oregon, forecasters will be monitoring wind and coastal flooding concerns Thursday, with a potential for high surf and 20-foot waves developing along the Pacific coast through Friday morning.

Peak wind gusts in Seattle are forecast between 25 and 30 mph, and higher along the coast and foothills, including around North Bend and Enumclaw.

While significant precipitation is not in the forecast, things look to stay wet for the foreseeable future, with rain likely every day through next week.

"The main theme through the majority of next week will be troughing offshore for additional rain and wind potential," NWS Seattle wrote Wednesday. "There is some uncertainty into the timing of fronts during this period, however, ensembles generally suggest the active weather pattern continuing for the Pacific Northwest. Initially, a front will move through on Sunday for rain and increasing wind, with another round [of] rain and breezy winds late Monday into Tuesday, and then again mid-week."

Looking to the rest of the month, climate outlooks favor warmer and wetter-than-average conditions through January.

The National Weather Service said the next strong king tide cycle, which recently lent to damaging floods, will arrive Jan. 18 - Jan. 26, and its potential impact will depend on the stretch of any corresponding storm systems.