Wet, Windy Weekend With Potential For Thunderstorms: WA Forecast

SEATTLE — Second verse, same as the first — at least for this weekend's forecast. After a long, dry summer, Washington saw its first significant bout of rainfall in months Friday as a strong cold front pooled in over the Puget Sound region, bringing back Western Washington's trademark gray, showery skies.

For some, it was a welcome return to form, especially considering the severity of this summer's drought and the high potential for wildland fires.

If you're one of those Washingtonians who love the rainy weather, good news! The party will continue. Though the worst of the rainfall is expected to come overnight Friday and early Saturday morning, the soggy weather will hang around through the weekend, according to the latest predictions from the National Weather Service.

As the heaviest rains taper off early Saturday, models show a large upper trough will begin pushing its way into Puget Sound, introducing instability in the upper atmosphere and creating the possibility for isolated thunderstorms. Right now, forecasters say the chance for thunder is only slight, but the potential is there, and we could see strikes anytime Saturday and even into Sunday.

Forecasters also say there is potential for hail, bouts of brief heavy rain, and gusty winds Saturday and Sunday as well. In total, forecasters say to expect between one to two inches of rain over the weekend, more if you live out on the coasts.

Once the weekend has passed, it'll be back to dry conditions for the early work week. Beginning Monday, meteorologists say an upper level ridge will begin building over Western Washington, pushing out the rainy weather and bringing high temperatures back into the upper 60s and low 70s.