Seattle could hit 80 degrees on Sunday for the first time this year, breaking a 34-year-old high temperature record.
SEATTLE — Several cities in western Washington are expected to break hot weather records on Sunday as unseasonably warm temperatures build across the region.
The combination of a strengthening ridge of high pressure over western Washington and British Columbia and developing thermal low pressure west of the Cascades will drive temperatures into the mid-70s to mid-80s across the region. Temperatures will push well above seasonal averages of the low 60s.
The South Sound, Southwest Interior and Cascade foothills and valleys will see the warmest temperatures. Areas right along Puget Sound may stay a touch cooler thanks to an afternoon sea breeze, but inland spots will see the full extent of the heat.
If Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reaches 80 degrees, it would mark the first time since September.
Seattle is on track to break its all-time record for Sunday, with highs forecast to top out anywhere between 81-83 degrees — blowing past the previous record of 77 set back in 1992. Olympia could be even more impressive, potentially topping out at 86 degrees against a record of 82 set back in 1944.
Cities that could break record high temperatures Sunday:
– SEA Airport: Forecast – 80 degrees; Record – 77 degrees (1992)
– Olympia: Forecast – 85 degrees; Record – 82 degrees (1944)
– Bellingham: Forecast – 77 degrees; Record – 74 degrees (1992)
– Quillayute: Forecast – 80 degrees; Record – 83 degrees (1992)
– Hoquiam: Forecast – 80 degrees; Record – 83 degrees (1992)
The heat begins to back off Monday, although interior areas will remain toasty with highs expected in the 70s to low 80s.
At SEA Airport, Monday’s high temperature record will likely not be broken. The record high for May 4 is 85 degrees, and Seattle is only forecast to get to 79 degrees.
Temperatures will gradually cool throughout the week as onshore flow returns. Highs are expected to cool to the mid-60s to low 70s by Thursday and Friday.
The month of May will bring 60 to 70 minutes of added daylight, with the Seattle area gaining about 20 minutes in sunsets every two weeks.
In general, May is a drier month, with Seattle averaging historically just under 2 inches of rain.
KING 5’s Rich Marriott contributed to this report.
To ensure diverse coverage and expert insight across a wide range of topics, our publication features contributions from multiple staff writers with varied areas of expertise.
