Heavy Rain, Strong Gusts Possible Sunday: Puget Sound Forecast

SEATTLE — More active weather is ahead for Western Washington after Saturday, with a particularly wet and gusty Sunday, followed by more rain on Halloween. According to the National Weather Service, the first half of the weekend should allow for partly sunny skies, and the rain should hold off until late in the evening for most in the Seattle area.

A stronger frontal system will roll in late Saturday into Sunday, with the heaviest rain likely over the Olympic Peninsula and the Cascades. Forecasters said central Puget Sound could see some benefit from a rain shadow, but wind gusts near 30 mph will be possible around Seattle. The Emerald City could still pick up an inch of rain through Monday evening, with a little more possible around Everett and Tacoma.

Snow levels should remain high, between 6,000 and 7,000 feet, Sunday before dropping closer to pass levels early next week.

Forecasters expect the rain will stick around through Halloween, before tapering off to more showery conditions Tuesday. Temperatures next week will also run cooler, with afternoon highs below 50 degrees in the forecast through Thursday. Wednesday has a good shot to stay dry, even allowing for some sunshine, but more active weather may arrive by late next week.

Long-term climate outlooks favor wetter, cooler weather sticking around through at least the first part of November, and the National Weather Service said a "robust signal" for above-normal rainfall persists into Thanksgiving week.

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

• Saturday: 55°/48° (Partly sunny/PM chance of rain)
• Sunday: 54°/49° (Rain/wind)
• Halloween: 53°/44° (Rain - 80%)
• Tuesday: 49°/40° (Showers likely)
• Wednesday: 48°/39° (Partly sunny)