Warm Front Brings Rain, Wind Gusts Reaching 50 MPH Into Weekend

SEATTLE, WA — A warm front will bring higher temperatures as well as rain and strong winds to the Seattle area starting Thursday and into Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. But colder weather is expected to return Friday evening, accompanied by more rain that will continue into the weekend.

Windy weather blowing south and southeast — with gusts up to 50 miles per hour — is forecast along the coast Thursday and Friday. A wind advisory for San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties will remain in effect through Friday afternoon, followed by "breezy conditions," the NWS says.

Afternoon temperatures mostly in the 40s with 30s in the higher hills currently. Wind advisory for the coast and North Interior starting at 10PM this evening for SE winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph along the coast and to 45 mph for the North Interior. #wawx pic.twitter.com/q4fH74P0Ql

Rain will taper off Friday morning and into the afternoon, with high temperatures hovering in the lower to mid-50s, the NWS expects. Colder weather will follow starting Friday night, but, fortunately, winds are expected to die down as the cold front moves in early Saturday.

Snowfall is possible at elevations above 2,500 feet Saturday, with highs in the mid-40s.

In the eastern part of the state, meanwhile, snow is expected to hit Thursday evening, coinciding not-too-nicely with the evening commute.

Another quick blast of winter weather is headed this direction from our friend, Mother Nature... Expect snow to pick up right around the evening commute. This means to plan ahead, drive for conditions, watch for our plows, give our plows space to work and use those headlights on! https://t.co/sSozhtvKlW
— WSDOT East (@WSDOT_East) January 2, 2020