SHORT TERM /TODAY THROUGH MONDAY/
Onshore flow continuing this morning with some patches of low stratus evident near the coast, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and through the lower Chehalis valley toward southern Puget Sound. With the weak upper trough in place over the region, not expecting much change in the pattern into the weekend. Onshore flow will persist and mostly dry conditions continue, though an embedded disturbance may be enough to bring a few light showers in the mountains this afternoon or evening. Chances will be best in the far North Cascades close to the crest, and can't totally rule out an isolated lightning strike or two. Otherwise, temperatures holding close to normal for this time of year with some morning clouds and abundant afternoon sunshine. and not much change through Sunday.

A stronger frontal system is then expected to approach by Monday with a relatively (for this time of year) impressive tap of moisture spreading into the region with it. Expect fairly widespread measurable rain with this frontal system, but amounts generally around a tenth of an inch or less for the lowlands.
Meanwhile, around a 50% chance for portions of the Olympics and Cascades to see a wetting rain of at least 0.25 inches of rain on Monday. With this cooler weather system crossing, expect to see temperatures only topping out in the upper 60s. 12

LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/
Expect some showers to linger into Tuesday as the upper trough shifts eastward. Ensembles continue to suggest a return of high pressure over the region by around midweek, with a return of above normal temperatures for the late stages of next week, as temperatures in the interior climb into the 80s and a drier pattern returns. This will bring a return of some areas of Moderate HeatRisk in the interior for the later stages of next week. 12

AVIATION
Northwesterly flow aloft as a weak upper level trough remains over the area. VFR early this morning across most area terminals, the exception being KHQM where marine stratus has already started to spread inland, deteriorating conditions down to MVFR/IFR. Latest guidance suggests stratus will intrude through KOLM but will likely not push past that. MVFR/IFR ceilings will burn back towards the coast by the afternoon (18z), with a 40% chance that KHQM stays socked in all day with stratus. Elsewhere, VFR will persist through the remainder of the day.

KSEA...VFR early this morning. N/NE winds will turn more W/SW late this morning and generally be around 4 to 8 knots. Latest guidance suggests a 20% chance of MVFR conditions early this morning (12z-16z) depending if stratus reaches the terminal. At this time, looking less likely that stratus will reach that far, but cannot rule it out. Otherwise, VFR will persist for the remainder of the day.

Mazurkiewicz

MARINE
Surface high pressure remains offshore with lower pressure inland. Marine stratus this morning will likely create visibility restrictions in mostly all of the exterior water zones, along with the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

Low level onshore flow will increase later on this evening, with a small craft advisory in effect for the Central and Eastern Strait of Juan De Fuca for increased westerlies. A frontal system looks to transverse the waters early next week, but guidance still shows no threat of winds being above any threshold.

Coastal seas 4 to 6 feet will continue throughout the rest of Saturday, before easing to 3 to 5 feet on Sunday and generally remaining that way throughout the week.

Mazurkiewicz

SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
WA...None.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 2 AM PDT Sunday for Central U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-East Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca.