Another Mild Weekend Ahead For Puget Sound: Forecast

SEATTLE — The autumnal equinox is still a couple of weeks out, but Western Washington is already making a fall-like turn with a stretch of cooler weather ahead. According to the National Weather Service, afternoon temperatures Saturday and Sunday will be a lot like Friday, topping out around 70 degrees — and even a few notches lower in many communities.

Forecasters expect the cloud cover will stick around for at least part of Saturday, and the afternoon will bring another slight chance for rain showers. Sunday should see a bit more sunshine, while temperatures remain a few degrees below average.

"Expect more clouds and cooler weather (60s) on Saturday as another weak upper level trough moves inland," NWS Seattle wrote Friday. "Rainfall amounts are not too impressive and rain will mainly be found along the coast, especially the north coast. The interior will just see spotty/light activity with just a trace or 0.01" if anything."

Here is the 5-day weather outlook for the Seattle area:

• Saturday: 70°/56° (Mostly cloudy, slight chance of rain)
• Sunday: 69°/52° (Partly sunny)
• Monday: 71°/52° (Mostly sunny)
• Tuesday: 73°/54° (Mostly sunny)
• Wednesday: 67°/50° (Slight chance of rain)

While next week kicks off with mostly sunny weather, and temperatures nudging a little higher Monday, another fall preview may not be far behind. Forecasters tracking another drop-off in temperatures in the latter half of next week and a "more promising round of much needed rain." The local forecasts match up with the latest predictions from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, which place good odds on rainy and cool weather heading into next weekend.