Memorial Day weather: ‘a bit of a roller coaster,' followed by a heated week
Sunshine and clear skies tease barbecue-ready weather Saturday and Sunday, but forecasters say the Monday holiday could see some rain and cooler temps before western Washington heats up with temps reaching into the 80s next week.
The weekend starts with a sunny Saturday, with highs ranging up to the 70s and some light wind in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service forecasts for the lowlands of Pierce and Southern King Counties and the Olympia and southern Puget Sound area. That's thanks to a building upper ridge — an area of relatively high atmospheric pressure — bringing fair weather conditions across Western Washington. Sunday will be a tad cooler with a few more clouds and highs in the mid 60s to lower 70s.
Rain could start falling Sunday evening into Memorial Day as a 'weak front' pushes air up into the atmosphere across western Washington, causing the air to cool and condense, according to National Weather Service Seattle meteorologist Dev McMillian.
The chance of showers could warrant bringing a rain jacket or poncho to any barbecues or outdoor gatherings, but it won't be all gray: the holiday is expected to be partly sunny with a chance of showers, with highs in the 60s, forecasters say.
Then, a surprise: temperatures are predicted to peak well into the 80s on Wednesday, according to McMillian. The forecast indicates that Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are predicted to have highs hovering in the 70s.
The days ahead will be 'a bit of a roller coaster in terms of temperatures,' he said.
There's also a chance of showers on Thursday, but it 'doesn't appear to be a washout,' according to McMillian.
Heat impacts vulnerable populations including those who are pregnant, newborns, children, the elderly and those with chronic illness, according to an heat safety awareness campaign post on X from the National Weather Service.
Tips to protect yourself from the heat include drinking plenty of water, applying SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every two hours, wearing lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing and spending intervals of time in the shade, according to another post. And never leave children unattended inside a car — a child can suffer heatstroke even when temperatures outside the car are below 70 degrees, the agency wrote in a post Wednesday.
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