A Cool Holiday Weekend & A Warm Start To June: Puget Sound Forecast

SEATTLE — Puget Sound is in for one last round of rainfall to send off May, but warmer days are on track to arrive just as we flip the calendar. According to the National Weather Service, the first two days of the long weekend will run on the cool side, with afternoon highs for most struggling to reach the 60s. Forecasters expect some rain to pick up Saturday, with more persistent showers arriving later.

"With the low tracking to our south the bulk of the precipitation is expected to be south of Puget Sound, however, areas to the north should expect some light rain throughout the day," wrote Mary Butwin, a meteorologist at NWS Seattle. "As the low tracks east, expect precipitation to become more showery late Saturday and into Sunday. As this happens snow levels will drop down to around 4,500 feet."

For those heading out on Memorial Day trips in the area, a winter weather advisory will be in effect for the south Cascades beginning Saturday afternoon, and forecasters expect Mount Rainier will see "significant late season snowfall." According to the National Park Service, Rainier's higher elevations could pick up 6 inches of snow by Sunday.

Fortunately, things should dry out for Western Washington on Memorial Day itself, with temperatures improving a few degrees amid mostly cloudy skies. Tuesday promises a lot more sunshine, and the first day of June will be even warmer.

Temperatures Wednesday afternoon should hit at least the mid-70s all around Puget Sound, and may even flirt with the 80s around Seattle and the South Sound. On average, Seattle records its first 80-degree day by May 20. Even if the Emerald City breaks the threshold Wednesday, it will be the latest date in more than a decade, the weather service said.

For those staying in town or hitting the road for the long weekend, state officials are urging all Washingtonians to take extra care to be fire safe as things begin to dry out and warm up for the summer ahead.