Heavy Rain, Wind For Puget Sound This Weekend: National Weather Service

SEATTLE, WA - Despite some badly needed sunshine on Thursday, the rain will return will a vengeance early this weekend with heavy rain and wind expected through Saturday.

According to National Weather Service predictions, a 1/2 inch or more of rain could fall over the next 24 hours.

More rainfall means higher risk of landslides. The forecast is also calling for high winds on Saturday afternoon, with gusts as high as 40 MPH, but mainly isolated to the south sound area.

But there's - literally - a bright spot ahead. Forecasters are saying that the sun will come out on Sunday.

Here's what to expect this weekend, according to the National Weather Service:

Seattle-Bellevue

Friday night: Rain. Low around 43. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming west southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain before 11am, then showers after 11am. High near 48. North wind 5 to 9 mph becoming east in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. East wind around 7 mph becoming south southeast in the evening.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Puyallup-Gig Harbor

Friday night: Rain. Steady temperature around 47. East southeast wind 6 to 14 mph becoming south southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: Rain likely before noon, then showers likely after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 49. South southwest wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. South southwest wind 10 to 18 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Image via National Weather Service