Seattle weather: Widespread thunderstorms possible tonight

Brian MacMillan

Seattle - Rain showers and thunderstorms will push north into Western Washington Saturday evening, bringing a potential for lightning, hail, heavy downpours, and strong localized wind gusts.

Most of Saturday will be nice, with sunny skies and warmer high temperatures, in the upper 70s and low 80s.

<div>Temperatures will be warmer Saturday in Western Washington, but thunderstorms will hit the area late Saturday.</div> <strong>(FOX 13 Seattle)</strong>
Temperatures will be warmer Saturday in Western Washington, but thunderstorms will hit the area late Saturday.
(FOX 13 Seattle)

A strong upper level low pressure system will spin showers into Oregon and Washington Saturday. Warmer temperatures this afternoon will help destabilize the atmosphere. These storms have the potential to produce very gusty localized winds (up to 50-60 mph), hail, and heavy downpours. Widespread lightning has the potential to start more wildfires. These will be fast moving systems, so I don't expect a cell to be parked over an area for an extended period of time, but a Flash Flood Watch is in effect over the Cascades and foothills, especially for the burn scar areas.

<div>The FOX 13 Weather team has issued a Weather Alert Saturday night as Stormy weather hits Western Washington.</div> <strong>(FOX 13 Seattle)</strong>
The FOX 13 Weather team has issued a Weather Alert Saturday night as Stormy weather hits Western Washington.
(FOX 13 Seattle)

Some of the heaviest rain is expected to begin in the greater Seattle/Tacoma/Olympia areas around 9:00 PM tonight. If you are heading out on the town, be aware that you could get soaked anytime after 8:00 PM.

<div>Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected in the Puget Sound area Saturday night.</div> <strong>(FOX 13 Seattle)</strong>
Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected in the Puget Sound area Saturday night.
(FOX 13 Seattle)

A slight chance of severe thunderstorms is possible in the Cascades, foothills, and Yakima valley. These spots could see larger hail and damaging winds. Funnel clouds are also possible.

<div>There is a slight to marginal chance for severe thunderstorms in parts of Washington and Oregon Saturday night.</div> <strong>(FOX 13 Seattle)</strong>
There is a slight to marginal chance for severe thunderstorms in parts of Washington and Oregon Saturday night.
(FOX 13 Seattle)

While we don't get many thunderstorms in Western Washington, August is one of the more common months to see lightning. Between 1989 to 2020, lightning was most common in the late spring through summer months.

<div>Thunderstorms are most common between the months of April and August in Western Washington.</div> <strong>(FOX 13 Seattle)</strong>
Thunderstorms are most common between the months of April and August in Western Washington.
(FOX 13 Seattle)

Sunday, showers will ease up and move north. Most areas should be dry by late morning. The next chance for showers arrives on Wednesday.

<div>Mild temperatures and a chance for Saturday night thunderstorms will be the big weather stories in Seattle this week.</div> <strong>(FOX 13 Seattle)</strong>
Mild temperatures and a chance for Saturday night thunderstorms will be the big weather stories in Seattle this week.
(FOX 13 Seattle)

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