The summer solstice is also the beginning of astronomical summer, more commonly called the start of the summer. After June 20, days will gradually get shorter heading to the autumn equinox in late September.

Previous coverage: Rain Monday, Summer solstice season in Seattle to follow

Throughout human history, many have observed the summer solstice with celebrations and rituals. For instance, ancient Greeks marked the solstice as the start of the New Year and started the one-month countdown to the opening of the Olympic Games, true to this day.

Ancient European pagans welcomed the solstice with bonfires amid hopes of a good fall harvest. Bonfires were also associated with magic, banishing evil spirits and often led maidens to future husbands.

Stonehenge in the south of England is aligned with the direction of sunrise on the summer solstice – one of many theories about the purpose of this megalith monument where thousands gather each year to commemorate the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Many Native Americans participated in solstice rituals still practiced today. For example, The Sioux perform a ceremonial Sundance while wearing symbolic colors.

Many still celebrate the summer solstice. Parades and festivals are the most common. In Northern Europe, bonfires are lit and homes are decorated with garlands. In parts of Scandinavia, people dance around Maypoles.

Seattle has one of the more free-spirited summer solstice parades in the country – the Fremont Solstice Parade. The 33rd annual parade is Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. More than 60 community-based ensembles are expected to be part of the parade starting from 3rd and Leary Way and finishing on North 35th Avenue near the Seattle Art Cars. In addition to the parade, two music stages of live local bands will be a part of the festivities, along with many booths with handmade goods and art, fair food and more.

From 2023: Will summer solstice feel like summer in Seattle?

The weather expected for Saturday’s parade will offer plenty of warm sunshine with high temperatures cracking the 80-degree mark. Sunscreen and other sun protective wear will be needed including wide-brimmed hats.

On Thursday’s summer solstice, all can celebrate the start of summer with the summer weather outlook offering a good chance of warmer and drier conditions into September – something many can also celebrate following a cool damp Father’s Day weekend.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

More on 16-hour days: Washington’s 16-hour sun-filled days are here

After many parts of Western Washington had a cool and soggy Father’s Day weekend, the upcoming warmer weather with sunshine will be welcomed by many.

The lower pressure aloft that generated the cool showery weekend weather is expected to ease inland across the northern Rockies through Tuesday. The threat of showers will linger Monday, but primarily in the mountains with sun breaks and temperatures beginning their rebound, rising into the lower to mid-60s.

Higher pressure is forecast to build over the Pacific Northwest Tuesday through Friday, bringing clearing skies and warmer temperatures. Wednesday should have high temperatures rising into the 70s and, by Thursday on the solstice, temperatures should warm into the mid-70s to mid-80s — feeling more like summer.

The sunshine and summer-like temperatures are forecast to continue on Friday as well. With the Women’s PGA Championship starting Thursday at Sahalee Country Club on the Sammamish Plateau, the weather could not be finer for the world’s best female golfers.

More from Ted Buehner: Could the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 happen again?

Looking ahead toward the weekend, it will be quite a contrast from Father’s Day weekend. The summer-like weather with sunshine and warm temperatures is expected to continue, though with some cooling down into the lower 70s by Sunday. Weather conditions should remain great for soccer fans with both the Sounders and Reign in action over the weekend, and nearly ideal for the Seattle Marathon on Saturday.

Anyway one looks at it, the summer solstice will usher in the first day of summer, and the weather will reflect it. In reviewing weather records at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) since the start of this century, the average date of this kind of summer-like weather has been around June 20. Who says summer does not begin around here until after the Fourth of July?

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Mother’s Day weekend had sunshine and temperatures in the 70s to mid-80s. Sorry Dads – that will not be the case for this weekend. But don’t put that barbeque away quite yet.

Low pressure aloft in the Gulf of Alaska is poised to move onshore over the weekend. A cool moist and unsettled air mass is associated with this weather feature that will produce showers and a threat of thunderstorms.

“This is definitely a cooler system than we often see this late in the spring, in the June time period. It can happen for sure, but this is a little more anomalous than usual,” Meteorologist Jacob DeFlitch, with the National Weather Service in Seattle told KIRO Newsradio.

More Seattle weather: Washington’s 16-hour sun-filled days are here

Saturday looks to be the wettest day. Lowland areas may have as much as a quarter inch of rain while in the mountains, up to an inch of rain could fall. The unseasonably cool air mass will also bring the mountain snow level down to around 4,500 feet. That trip to Paradise on Mt. Rainier will likely involve snow in the parking lot.

“Not only do we have a chance for showers we have a chance for thunderstorms during the period on Saturday as well,” DeFlitch said. “A lot of that might likely come during a convergence zone that develops across King to Snohomish counties Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening.”

Sunday should be the drier day of the weekend. The threat of showers and thunderstorms will remain, but it should be more dry than wet.

“They’re not going to be as steady or likely as heavy as what we see on Saturday, which is good news,” DeFlitch explained.

He said Sunday will likely be drier earlier in the day than later. So Dads, you might want to try out any new grilling equipment you receive on Father’s Day at lunchtime, rather than dinner.

Mariners to play with closed roof due to weather

Also this weekend, the Seattle Mariners host the division rival Texas Rangers. The roof will likely be closed on Saturday, but there is a chance it will be open for those taking Dad to the game on Father’s Day. Sweatshirts or light jackets will be in order for the three-game series.

High temperatures Saturday will struggle to reach 60 degrees, about 10 degrees below average for mid-June. Sunday’s highs should nudge a bit higher, in the 60-65 degree range for much of Western Washington.

More from Ted Buehner: Could the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 happen again?

For many, temperatures in the lower 60s on Sunday are still enough to fire up the barbeque, something I plan to do on Father’s Day.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Heather Bosch is an award-winning anchor and reporter on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of her stories here. Follow Heather on X, formerly known as Twitter, or email her here.

Monday is anticipated to have a typical mid-June day of sunshine after areas of morning clouds. Highs in the region should range from the mid-60s to mid-70s.

More on Washington: Bellevue Police Department has had enough with traffic fatalities

This week’s weather

A weak area of lower pressure aloft is forecast to swing onshore Tuesday for a threat of light showers primarily along the coast, in the mountains and in the north interior, along with cooler temperatures. Highs will only manage to rise into the 60s — likely the coolest day of the work week.

By Wednesday, higher pressure is expected to build over the region for a return of sunshine and highs warming to around 70 degrees. Thursday looks to be the warmest day of the week with highs mainly in the 70s under plenty of sunshine.

The sunshine is forecast to hang on once Friday arrives, but as cooler Pacific Ocean breezes arise, highs are expected to only range from the mid-60s to lower 70s. Low temperatures throughout the week are anticipated to be between 45 to 55 degrees.

The summer solstice on June 20 is fast approaching, and with the sunrise now arriving about 10 minutes past 5 a.m. and sunsets a bit after 9 p.m., daylight hours this week will be just shy of 16 hours.

More from Ted Buehner: Could the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 happen again?

Pristine Mariners weather

The Seattle Mariners return home this week to take on the Chicago White Sox Monday through Thursday and the Texas Rangers Friday through the weekend. With the exception of Tuesday evening, the stadium roof should be open.

Father’s Day is this weekend and looking ahead, it does not look nearly as good as Mother’s Day’s sun-filled weekend last month. Lower pressure aloft is forecast to move ashore with a cooler air mass and a likelihood of light showers with the stadium roof potentially closed. Sorry Dad, there is time to be prepared.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

As the weather heads into a stretch of warmer and drier than average conditions, could it happen again?

From Feliks Banel: Fires devastated Seattle, Ellensburg, Spokane in 1889

There were no precise weather records taken on June 6, 1889. But it is known that spring had been a warm and dry one. On the day of the Great Seattle Fire, an inadvertent spilled glue pot in a waterfront carpentry shop started the historic blaze. Stiff winds coming off Elliott Bay that warm afternoon helped fan the flames and spread the fire from one wood structure and building to the next with ease. Those interested can visit what’s left on Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour.

Technology may have improved, but these fires can still happen

So far this century, there have been a greater number of warm dry springs and summers, including in 2023. Such dry conditions can elevate the threat of fast-spreading fires, particularly in neighborhoods where homes are quite close to each other.

Fortunately, newer structures have more fire resistant building materials, and a state of the art fire response community can help stop such rapid spreading fires. Yet, these kinds of fires can still happen thanks to warm dry and breezy weather conditions. Already this spring, consider the wildfires that erupted along the interior of Western Canada, and currently in California during an early season heat wave with temperatures soaring into the triple digits.

Despite Western Washington’s reputation to be a wet place, recent summers have actually started earlier and end later, resulting in drier conditions. These environments have made it easier for wildfires to start. Last year, though it is hard to fathom, Western Washington had more wildfire starts than Eastern Washington did according to the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

MyNorthwest weather: Will a ‘Heat Dome’ be part of the upcoming Seattle summer?

Looking ahead, the latest seasonal weather outlook for Western Washington heading into September, shows good odds of temperatures that will be warmer than average and chances stacked toward precipitation that will leave the area drier than normal. Much of the state is already in abnormally dry or moderate drought status and summer starts on the June 21 solstice. Parts of Western Washington are between two and four inches of rain behind average for the year thus far.

Weather can impact the size, scope of fires

With drier warmer weather in store, grasses will be drying out soon, setting up the possibility for grass fires. It is important to keep burning materials inside vehicles and tighten up tow chains to avoid sparks from dragging lines in order to avoid roadside fire starts.

Neighborhoods also can be at risk to wildfire when warm dry and windy conditions unfold like what happened on the Seattle waterfront in 1889. Recall the Oakland Hills fire in October 1991 when a wind-whipped fire burned close to 3,500 homes and apartments, killing 25 and injuring 150.

More from Ted Buehner: What led to Washington drought as wildfires, rainbows on the horizon

Another example were a number of wind-driven wildfires in Western Oregon during Labor Day Weekend of 2020 near Medford, east of Eugene/Springfield, east of Salem and in the Columbia Gorge, burning thousands of homes. About that same time, the Sumner Grade Fire occurred on a windy day, burning four homes and temporarily displacing hundreds of residents.

Last year in Spokane County, winds blew the Oregon Road and Gray wildfires through several neighborhoods, consuming several hundred homes and resulting in two fatalities. Protecting neighborhoods against wildfires is critical.

2023 Washington wildfires: Gray, Oregon City blazes kill 2, lead to lost structures

Now is the time to prepare and build wildfire defensible space around homes and businesses. Consider this effort a part of spring yard cleaning. Visit firewise.org for all the tips such as moving firewood away from a home, trimming tree limbs up off the ground to above your head, and cleaning roofs and gutters of debris. Help Smokey Bear and consider his motto – Only You Can Prevent Wildfires – whether in urban or rural areas.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Higher pressure aloft is building over the entire western U.S., shoving the Pacific storm track well to the north. Clearing skies are expected Wednesday afternoon with temperatures warming well into the 60s. The average high temperature in early June for the interior of Western Washington is in the upper 60s to around 70 degrees.

The warming trend will continue through late this week. Thursday, temperatures will nudge above 70 degrees in much of Western Washington under sunny skies. By Friday and Saturday, some of the usual warmer spots will warm into the lower to mid-80s, though marine clouds will hug the coastline Saturday with temperatures only in the 60s.

The warmup late this week has the potential to be the warmest of the year thus far. At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the high temperature reached 84 degrees on May 10 leading into a fine Mother’s Day weekend.

Nature’s air conditioning to kick in Sunday

If 80 degrees is too hot for you, relief is expected. Those marine clouds hugging the coast on Saturday are a big clue. On Sunday and through early next week, nature’s air conditioning will kick in with cooler marine air surging inland, offering a regime of areas of morning clouds and afternoon sunshine. High temperatures in the interior of Western Washington will cool back down into the more comfortable lower to mid-70s.

Meanwhile, those in parts of California, Nevada and Arizona will be baking. Temperatures are expected to soar above 100 degrees, well above average for early June. Wildfire danger is already high and firefighters are already addressing a few fires.

Some are calling this a heat dome. In actuality, a heat dome involves strong high-pressure aloft that is literally cut off from the overall airflow pattern around the globe. That is not the case here, yet high pressure aloft is amplifying like a rising rollercoaster resulting in the seemingly abrupt warm-up and drying conditions.

More weather: Will a ‘Heat Dome’ be part of the upcoming Seattle summer?

The weather outlook heading well into the middle of this month continues to show warmer-than-average temperatures. Beyond that, the seasonal outlook maintains good odds of warmer-than-normal temperatures through the summer.

Does it seem like summer is longer? In Western Washington, many noted in the past that summer did not begin until after the Fourth of July. Yet, so far this century, there have been many quite warm months of May and June.

Summers are longer now than in the 50s

A researcher looked at global temperatures going back into the 1950s, and found summers are now at least 3 weeks longer than back then, starting earlier and finishing later. These longer summers with warmer and drier conditions have led to a growth in the number of wildfires, particularly in Western North America including Canada. And those wildfires have led to more smoky events, producing poor air quality. Western Washington has suffered wildfire smoke at some point during the summer 6 out of the last 7 years.

Preparing for the heat

Now is the time to prepare for summer heat and its by-products. With the sun quite high in the sky as we approach the summer equinox on June 20, we are not used to warm summer temperature conditions. After our recent cool wet spring weather, our skins will be vulnerable. Be sure to apply sunscreen to avoid sunburn. Also, continue to drink water and remain hydrated.

The very young and older adults, along with those suffering medical conditions are the most vulnerable to hot weather conditions. Remember — avoid leaving kids and pets in cars. The heat inside a car can build up quite quickly. Studies have shown that heat rises one degree per minute, even with the windows open.

In addition, our area waterways are so inviting when the weather gets hot. Yet remember those waters are also cold, and falling in often results in cold water immersion, that gasp reflex like walking into a cold shower, that all too often results in drownings. This time of year is the unfortunate peak of drownings in the state. So be sure to wear a properly fitting life jacket when on the water, particularly when having fun on a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe.

A period of warmer drier weather is finally arriving offering a taste of summer that lies ahead. Enjoy the warm sunshine — just in a safe manner.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) initially reported outages are impacting approximately 15,000 people from Redmond to Graham to Olympia. Seattle City Light also reported outages that impacted thousands of customers.

It all stemmed from a storm that led to heavy winds and a number of trees breaking and/or falling across the area.

Power outages stretch across Western Washington: Thousands affected, school start times forced to be delayed

During an appearance on “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH Monday afternoon, meteorologist and University of Washington (UW) atmospheric sciences Prof. Cliff Mass explained how strong the storm was.

“Well, we had essentially a strong winter storm during the summer time and this was really quite a doozy. Winds gusted to 35 to 45 mph, you know, all over Western Washington,” Mass said. “And with the trees all leafed out, you know that’s danger. And there was a massive number of trees that were down. I biked in on the Burke-Gilman Trail (Monday) morning and it was virtually impassable in sections with trees down.”

Rantz went on to ask Mass about what explains a storm like this at this time of year. Mass discussed the atmospheric river event and its international origins.

“We have this unusual atmospheric river that pulled moisture all the way from off of China or across the Pacific and to us,” Mass explained. “And then a low center went to the north of us and that drew this moisture right into us. And also there was a strong difference in pressure because it was low. And so the moisture was streaming in.”

Mass then told Rantz that Western Washington residents are in a “break” now but another, albeit less severe, system is coming in Monday night.

“You know the main system has moved through you know the winds are starting to die down, but then another system comes in, you know to (Monday night to Tuesday) and that will bring in some more rain,” Mass stated on “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH. “I don’t think it’ll be quite as heavy and the winds will be quite as strong but you know we could get another pulse of rain.”

A ‘Pacific Northwest heat wave’ is coming

After Tuesday’s weather event comes and goes, Mass expects the weather in the Puget Sound region to get drier and warmer.

“We’ll get into a drying period as we get into later in the week and the temperatures will move back up into the 60s, into the and and even into the 70s,” Mass said. “So, it’s gonna be really improving once we get through that Tuesday storm.

Later, when Rantz called the temperatures getting into the 70s, a “Pacific Northwest heat wave,” Mass agreed. It will definitely warm up and feel a lot warmer as well, but it won’t reach the levels of the June 2021 heat wave that blistered Seattle and much of the Pacific Northwest.

“So, we’re not talking (the) 90s here. We’re just going to feel like a heat wave, but we’re we’ll be getting above normal,” Mass said. “Normal right now is the upper 60s. So, we could get, potentially, 10 degrees above that, which will be actually quite welcome after what we went through.”

More from Cliff Mass: ‘I don’t think they can say’ 2023 was the hottest year on record

Summer after July 4th in the Pacific Northwest

Mass’ appearance on “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH also featured an exchange about summer in the Pacific Northwest and its traditional arrival in the first week or two in July.

“If you plot up how much precipitation falls on average each day, there’s a tremendous drop after the July 4th weekend, Mass said to Rantz. “And, particularly around the periods from the 5th to the 15th of July, the bottom drops out and we dry out rapidly.”

Mass also noted that once we get to that dry period in July, this area in the country will be one of the most arid places in the U.S.

“By the time we get into mid-July, we are probably close to the driest place in the whole country for the next month or so. That’s when it happens, Mass said. “So, the National Weather Service has a joke: Summer starts on July 13th and that’s not that wrong.”

To hear more from Cliff Mass, including his opinion about a recent story in The Seattle Times about a possible drought in Washington and what he thinks the UW campus in Seattle is like now that the pro-Palestinian encampment has broken up and has been cleared, head here to listen or click on the player below.

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.

The story begins by stating much of the state is “either abnormally dry or suffering from a moderate drought.”

Washington’s dismal snowpack over the winter is turning into a dismal water supply for the growing season as farmers already are struggling to irrigate their crops.

Summer is still weeks away and almost two thirds of the state is either abnormally dry or suffering from a moderate drought. The state declared a drought emergency in mid-April and in late May officials with the Roza Irrigation District — covering 72,000 acres and some of Washington’s most fertile ground — shut off its spigots in an attempt to conserve water for the dry months ahead.

During an appearance on “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH Monday, meteorologist and University of Washington (UW) atmospheric sciences Prof. Cliff Mass wasted no time in taking on the outlet’s writing on climate change and its impacts.

“Well, this is the Seattle Times Climate Lab, and they tend to hype and exaggerate the effects of climate change. So, I’ve been very disappointed in the writing,” Mass said.

Mass went on to explain a strong El Nino is what is to blame for a lower snowpack this year as opposed to climate change.

“The snowpack was less this year than normal. Well, we know why that is. There was a strong El Nino which they generally don’t mention. But this time they mentioned the very end,” Mass said. “So it’s not due to climate change or global warming that we didn’t have so much snowpack. It’s because of a natural phenomenon called El Nino when the tropical Pacific becomes warmer than normal.”

From Ted Buehner: Summer weather is just around the corner

Mass also took issue with the Times’ explanation that the reason why officials shut off the water spigots to the Roza Irrigation District is because it was an attempt to conserve water for the dry months ahead.

“Some of the the water rights people had a gap in their water. So, they, basically, shut things down for a week. Now what (the Times) didn’t mention is the reason they shut it down for a week and that is because it has been so cool and wet.

“And so instead of running water down these canals, when the farmers didn’t need it, it made a lot of sense not to put the water in the canals now when they didn’t need it and save it for later in the summer. So it’s actually the cool, wet weather is what caused the drop in water in these canals. And it wasn’t due to climate change,” Mass explained to “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH.

When the word ‘drought’ should be used

Host Jason Rantz went on to say that any sort of drought impacts the agriculture industry and that’s serious as it has economic impacts. So, he asked Mass what the basic takeaway should be for people who are concerned about this being a statewide issue.

“If you go to the (USDA) analysis of where the crops are right now, it’s extremely favorable,” Mass said. “We may be a little bit drier than normal, a little less snowpack, but the cold, there’s some drought with a ‘big D’ and that’s kind of deceptive. But people think the word drought should only be used when there’s a serious negative impact on this lack of water or snowpack. But that’s not the case this year.”

To hear more from Cliff Mass, including his thoughts about the “strong winter storm during the summer time” the Puget Sound region saw and what he thinks the UW campus in Seattle is like now that the pro-Palestinian encampment has been cleared, head here to listen or click on the player below.

More from Cliff Mass: Winter-like storm in June was ‘quite a doozy’ for Washington

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.

Yes, June started wet. The first of a pair of late spring atmospheric rivers swept inland Sunday dumping up to five inches of rain in the Olympics and parts of the Cascades. The coast received up to two inches of rain while western interior locations ranged from about a half inch to just over an inch of rain through Monday morning.

More on PNW weather: PNW doesn’t get hurricanes but does get hurricane-force winds

Showers following this first wet weather system will dot Western Washington Monday. Temperatures will remain cool with highs about 10-15 degrees cooler than average, expecting to be in the mid-50s to lower 60s.

The next and final wet weather system is anticipated to produce more rain Tuesday as it moves onshore. Showers will follow into Tuesday night. Highs Tuesday are expected to climb to either side of 60.

A flood watch remains in place for many parts of Western Washington. Rivers are expected to rise through Tuesday and potentially reach flood stage in some of the usual flood-prone areas such as the Snoqualmie River and the Skokomish River in Mason County.

Total rain amounts for the first few days of this month could reach the entire month’s average rainfall. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Olympia normally receive just under one and a half inches of rain in June. After a drier-than-average May in parts of the interior, this rainfall will help make a dent in the precipitation deficit that has accumulated so far this year.

A big weather change is just around the corner

Starting Wednesday, strong high pressure aloft is forecast to build over the entire western U.S. with conditions quickly drying out and skies clearing. By Thursday and Friday, there will be plenty of summer weather and sunshine with temperatures warming well into the 70s. By Saturday, some areas will climb into the 80s, potentially the warmest temperatures of the year thus far.

More from Ted Buehner: Warm weather awaits after region’s last atmospheric river storm

For those in the southwestern U.S., some areas will soar about 100 degrees. Looking beyond the coming weekend, this period of warmer and drier weather is anticipated to extend into at least the middle of this month. For those with friends and relatives who are snowbirds, it may be time to start returning to Washington.

9 p.m. sunsets have arrived as the calendar approaches the summer equinox on June 20. The upcoming sunshine will permit many evening outdoor activities, a welcome change from the recent cool wet spring weather.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X.

Three Pacific weather systems are lined up across the North Pacific to kick off a gloomy start to June. The first is set to arrive tonight with a relatively small dose of rainfall that will taper off to scattered showers Saturday. After high temperatures today cracked the 70-degree mark in many Western Washington locations, highs Saturday will drop down into the lower to mid-60s.

More on Washington weather: PNW doesn’t get hurricanes but does get hurricane-force winds

A much wetter second weather system is expected to arrive Sunday. Rain will develop across the region during the day. The heaviest amounts of rain are anticipated Sunday night before turning to scattered showers Monday with the possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm.

This weather system has tapped into warm moist air originating in the sub-tropic region south of Japan. Rain amounts through Monday will likely range from two to three inches along the coast, parts of the Olympics as well as the Cascades. Snow levels will bounce from 5,500 to 7,000 feet, reflecting the warmer source of this moisture. Western interior rainfall amounts will likely total on either side of one inch, depending on the location.

The rainfall and relatively high snow levels mean river levels will fill with more water with the possibility of the typically more flood-prone rivers rising above the flood stage, rather unusual for this time of year.

High temperatures Sunday and Monday will be about 10 degrees below early June averages, only around 60 degrees on both days.

Yet one more weather system is expected to move ashore Tuesday for a last shot of rain with lingering showers Wednesday tapering off. Highs Wednesday should warm into the 60s.

After all this late spring rainfall, here comes the reward. Higher pressure is forecast to build over the Pacific Northwest for clearing skies and warming temperatures. Readings in the latter part of next week should climb into the 70s. And this change to sunny warmer weather looks to extend into mid-June.

From soggy to sunny: This week’s Washington weather roller coaster

For those going to the Seattle Mariners’ three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels this weekend, expect the roof to be open tonight, but very likely closed Saturday night and Sunday. Just as the weather turns warmer with sunshine later next week, the M’s have a road trip.

Yet for the rest of us, we get to enjoy the fruits of bearing a wet weekend with the sun returning later next week.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X.

The Pacific Northwest does not get hurricanes but does get hurricane-force winds with strong north Pacific storms that manage to brush the coast or track inland. Yet for those with relatives and friends who live in hurricane-prone areas along the east and gulf coasts, or if you plan to visit these regions, this outlook can be quite important in early readiness.

The outlook focused on yet another high-activity tropical cyclone season in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions that began in the mid-1990s. There are 17 to 25 named storms anticipated, eight to 13 of which are expected to become hurricanes, and four to seven strengthening to major hurricanes — Category 3 or higher.

From soggy to sunny: This week’s Washington weather roller coaster

The hurricane wind scale ranges from a Category 1 with sustained winds of 74 to 95 mph, a Category 3 of 111 to 129 mph, to the top Category — a 5 with sustained winds of 157 mph or higher. To give perspective, the granddaddy of all non-tropical wind storms to strike the lower 48 in American history, the 1962 Columbus Day Storm, had winds of up to 150 mph along the Oregon and Washington coasts, and in excess of 100 mph in the western interior valleys from Eugene, Oregon, to Vancouver, BC.

The primary reason for the anticipated high number of tropical cyclones is the record warmth of sea surface temperatures from the African coast to the Gulf of Mexico and the eastern seaboard. Those sea surface temperatures are already well into the 80s.

Tropical cyclones feed off warm waters of 80 degrees or warmer, and can rapidly intensify with these record warm waters. An example last October in the eastern Pacific was hurricane Otis which intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours before making landfall in Mexico.

More weather: Does Washington get tornadoes? Here’s what you need to know

Another key reason for the expected high number of tropical cyclones is that El Niño has ended. El Niño tends to tear apart Atlantic tropical cyclones. With the El Niño weather pattern removed, these tropical cyclones have more room to strengthen, hence the more active hurricane outlook for this season.

It is important to prepare in advance for any tropical cyclones. Not only do they produce strong damaging winds, but also heavy rain amounts and flooding, and even tornadoes. But most important is wind-driven storm surge. Since the 1960s, more than half of all tropical cyclone fatalities have involved storm surge flooding. There are a number of storm surge examples, but one significant recent event was Hurricane Katrina which struck Louisiana and Mississippi, resulting in over 1,300 fatalities.

So if you have friends and relatives in these hurricane-prone regions, they need to prepare for what may be a very active hurricane season. If you plan to visit these same areas this summer or early fall, know in advance of any potential incoming storms and prepare ahead of time. Waiting until the storm approaches may be too late.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X.

The cool and somewhat soggy holiday weekend is expected to give way to breaks in the cloud cover revealing some sunshine on Memorial Day. Highs will warm to around average for late May – in the mid-60s to lower 70s.

The wet weather is not over yet though. Another Pacific frontal system just offshore is posed to swing onshore Tuesday for another round of much-needed rainfall. Highs will again be cooler than average Tuesday, climbing only into the mid-50s to lower 60s.

Buehner: Will it rain (like always) during Memorial Day Weekend?

Lower pressure aloft with its cooler unstable air mass is forecast to move ashore behind the frontal system Tuesday night and Wednesday for a mix of showers, sunbreaks and the threat of an afternoon thunderstorm. Highs again will only reach into the mid-50s to lower 60s. Low temperatures will dip into the 40s. For those spending time in the mountains Wednesday, the snow level will temporarily fall to near 4000 feet.

The rainfall is vital. This month so far as well April has been below average for precipitation. The rain in the past week has helped narrow that deficit, though many places in Western Washington remain one to three inches below normal for the year. Forecast total rain amounts Tuesday and Wednesday in Western Washington will range from about a half inch to just over an inch, while in the mountains, up to two inches of rain is anticipated.

Some relief from the recent period of rain is anticipated for the rest of the week. Higher pressure aloft is expected to build over the region on Thursday and Friday for increasing sunshine. Highs are forecast to warm into the 60s with some of the usual warmer spots cracking the 70-degree mark on Friday.

Anticipating weather for Sounders, Mariners games

For those going to the Seattle Sounders soccer game against Real Salt Lake at Lumen Field on Wednesday evening, there is the possibility of lingering showers with temperatures in the 50s during the match.

Also this weekend: What’s open and closed on Memorial Day

The Seattle Mariners return home for a 4-game series against the Houston Astros Monday through Thursday. The stadium roof will likely be open Monday evening but closed Tuesday and Wednesday. First pitch temperatures Monday evening should be in the lower 60s, while the two games are expected to be in the cool 50s. For the final game of the series Thursday afternoon, the roof should be open with sunshine and temperatures in the 60s.

Then the Los Angeles Angels visit the Mariners Friday through the weekend. First pitch temperatures should again be in the lower to mid-60s Friday.

After rather cool and moist spring weather, warmer sunshine is anticipated before the end of the week to finish the month. At least the rainfall has diminished the pollen count.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X.

Does it always rain during Memorial Day Weekend?

We all tend to remember those soggy camping trips or when our outdoor activities took on extra water. So I looked at all the Memorial Day Weekends this century going back to 2001.

In the last 22 Memorial Day weekends, there have been 10 entirely dry holiday weekends and 13 that had at least some rain in the Puget Sound area. The wettest year? That was 2010 when it rained all three days with many places getting close to a total of a half inch of rain that holiday weekend.

In contrast, the 2017 Memorial Day weekend had temperatures climb well into the 80s under plenty of sunshine. Last year had a mix of clouds and sun with temperatures mainly in the 60s. The average high temperature during the last weekend of May is in the mid and upper 60s.

More weather: Washington weather will feel like a yo-yo this week before the holiday weekend

With the influence of the Pacific Ocean, Western Washington tends to be temperate in late May. The typical Memorial Day weekend often has morning clouds fading into clear skies in the afternoon. Those morning clouds just might squeeze out a little bit of rain. Half of those 22 years this century had such a weather pattern.

What does this Memorial Day weekend weather look like?

Since close to 85% of us are going away for the weekend and will travel more than 50 miles, let’s break it down to popular destinations.

The overall weather pattern offers another area of lower pressure aloft moving southeast from the Gulf of Alaska to bring scattered light showers to Western Washington Friday before tapering off Saturday as the parent system moves further inland. Higher pressure is then expected to slowly build over the region Sunday and Monday, bringing generally drier and warmer weather.

For the Puget Sound region, those light showers will likely begin Friday afternoon and come to an end Saturday. Highs on both days will generally be in the lower 60s. Sunday will offer an increasing amount of sunshine and, by Monday, highs will climb to approximately 70 degrees.

Heading north toward the Canadian border or any of the islands? Spotty light showers will develop Friday afternoon, but may linger into Sunday. Highs are expected to be in the 55- to 60-degree range before warming well into the 60s with more sunshine Monday.

For those traveling south toward Portland, much the same is expected with scattered showers developing later Friday and tapering off Saturday. Highs on both days will be around 60. Sunday should have morning clouds with the sun breaking out by afternoon and highs ranging from 60 to 65. Monday will have plenty of sunshine with highs cracking 70 degrees.

Heading to the coast? Those showers will develop earlier on Friday and also taper off Saturday, though the north coast and Olympics may have lingering showers into Sunday. Highs will be cool, ranging from 55 to 60 degrees. More sunshine is in store Monday with highs climbing well into the 60s.

Mount St. Helens anniversary: Buehner’s personal chronicle of the catastrophe as a forecaster

If plans take you into the Cascades, that area should be the wettest in the region. Showers will develop Friday afternoon and decrease Saturday into Sunday. Up to a quarter of an inch of rain is expected in places. Snow levels beginning Friday will be around 5,500 feet, dropping to 4,500 feet Sunday before bouncing back up to 7,000 feet Monday.

Many will be heading into Eastern Washington for more desirable sunshine and warmer temperatures. After Saturday, that will be the case. But on the first day of the three-day holiday weekend, the east side will have scattered showers and highs only in the 60s. By Sunday, the sun will return with a mix of clouds and highs rising to 65-75 degrees. On the holiday, more sunshine is anticipated with highs climbing into the 70s.

Wherever you go this holiday weekend, whether a staycation or elsewhere, have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend. And on Memorial Day, remember those who paid the ultimate price for our country.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X.

More than 85% of all travel will involve a car. Another 8% is expected to be through the air, according to the AAA. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is anticipating a busy holiday weekend period and asked travelers to prepare in advance. The numbers of passengers are expected to be at pre-pandemic levels with up to 170,000 travelers moving through the terminal this Friday, the busiest day. Security lines will be long. To save time, they suggest using Spot Saver to help move more quickly through security.

More on Spot Saver: SeaTac Airport unveils program to help cut TSA security lines

On the road, gas prices in Washington are close to where they were last year at this time, down approximately six cents a gallon from a month ago, but higher in surrounding states. The average price of a gallon of regular gas across the nation is around $3.60, about five cents higher than a year ago. In the western U.S. though, the price of gas remains higher than the national average. Washington is currently at about $4.60 per gallon. California sits at $5.19 per gallon, Oregon is at $4.37, Idaho sits around $3.81 and British Columbia is at about $5.10 per gallon (converted from liters to gallons based on the average price in the province reported via GasBuddy and from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars).

Here are some holiday travel tips heading into the weekend.

Weather

Memorial Day Weekend has the stigma that it always rains. So far this century, there have been 10 years with no rain at all including last year, and seven more years where it rained but just one day during the three-day weekend. This year looks to have a good chance at another single wet day through the holiday weekend.

In Western Washington, the weekend will have a mix of clouds and sun. The only real threat of any light showers is on Saturday with highs around 60. The rest of the holiday weekend looks to have an increasing amount of sunshine with highs by Monday climbing to near 70 degrees. Lows throughout the weekend will be in the 40s.

Weather east of the Cascades will also offer a threat of showers and even a chance of a thunderstorm Saturday with highs ranging from 55 to 65. Sunday and Monday are expected to dry out and warm up with highs by Monday rising into the mid-60s to mid-70s. Lows will generally be in the 40s.

If heading into the Cascades or Olympics for the weekend, expect the best chance for showers to be on Saturday with conditions drying out Sunday and Monday. The snow level on Saturday is anticipated to be around 4,000 feet.

On the road

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) strongly suggests traveling during non-peak times during the holiday weekend.

If you are planning to head north toward the Canadian border, drive east of the Cascades, head south toward Portland, or take a ferry going west, Friday from about midday through about sunset is the busiest and slowest drive time period. WSDOT suggests hitting the road before 10 a.m. on getaway Friday. On Saturday in all directions, another peak in traffic volumes is late morning through mid-afternoon.

More on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: Why was Sea-Tac Airport so busy Sunday? Will it get worse?

Returning from the holiday weekend will also be a chore. The peak times start late in the morning on Monday, Memorial Day and continue through to about sundown. Again, WSDOT suggests leaving Sunday, early Monday morning or wait until later Monday night, or even on Tuesday.

For the details of expected peak travel times heading north, south or east, as well as the return from your destination, WSDOT has a Memorial Day Weekend Travel Times page online.

The Washington State Ferries simply said to expect long terminal wait times on Friday heading west, and again on both Sunday and Monday for sailings going east.

Wherever you go this holiday weekend, drive safely and pack your patience. Your nerves will feel better by leaving way early or way late to avoid those peak travel periods. And on Memorial Day itself, remember and honor those who paid the ultimate price for our country and freedom.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X.

You can read more of Micki Gamez’s stories here. Follow Micki on X, or email her here.

Yet this sunshine will be short-lived. A weather system tracking southeast from the Gulf of Alaska will bring rain Tuesday and knock high temperatures down about 10 degrees as it’s only in the 50s. Showers are then expected to linger into Wednesday.

By Thursday, the temporary high pressure aloft should allow the sun to pop out again with highs warming into the 60s again. Skies should have enough clearing to see the full moon, called the Flower Moon, both Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Does Washington get tornadoes? What you need to know

Washington weather: Looking toward Memorial Day weekend

Heading into Memorial Day weekend, another weather system from the Gulf of Alaska is anticipated to roll through Western Washington Friday and Saturday for a renewed threat of showers and cooler temperatures. Highs both days should nudge into the lower 60s.

But not all is lost for the holiday weekend. Higher pressure is expected to build into the Pacific Northwest Sunday and Monday, bringing back some sunshine and drier conditions. Highs for the rest of the weekend should rebound back into the 60s.

The latest seasonal weather outlook was recently released by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. This refreshed outlook still points to overall warmer and drier than average conditions through June as well as into September.

Mount St. Helens eruption anniversary: Ted Buehner’s personal chronicle of the catastrophe as a forecaster

Much of Washington remains in drought conditions. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is currently just over four inches below average for the year. Olympia is about an inch and a quarter below average. The mountain snowpack usually peaks in early April and this year, finished 60 to 80% of normal.

The dry conditions have raised concerns about water supply and the wildfire threat this summer. Water managers are keeping an eye on supplies for agriculture, hydro power generation, enough water in rivers for fish, and municipal water resources.

Wildfire managers are concerned about an early start to the wildfire season and one that may extend into early fall. In fact, several wildfires in Western Washington were extinguished several weeks ago, reflecting the current dry surroundings.

This drier than normal situation points to a community wide effort to help conserve water and avoid wildfire starts through this summer.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X.

I was a young forecaster with the National Weather Service (NWS) Seattle Forecast Office working the aviation forecast desk. Back then, we were a state forecast office, so I was responsible for forecasts across the state at air terminals like Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Boeing Field, Spokane, Yakima, Wenatchee, Paine Field and Bellingham as well as air route forecasts between many of these locations.

At my desk in the far left corner was a red phone. The phone was a hotline between the FAA flight service station at Boeing Field and us. I was told it had never rung. Yet shortly after 8:30 a.m. that morning, that red phone rang.

More weather in the Pacific Northwest: Does Washington get tornadoes? Here’s what you need to know:

I picked it up. “Seattle Weather!?” The flight service staffer said he had a pilot on the radio that needed help and he was going to patch me through. I was suddenly talking with that pilot.

The pilot was flying a sight-seeing tour group of five out of Chehalis in a twin-engine Cessna around Mount St. Helens. Right away, I could tell something big had happened. The pilot told me he was on the south side of the mountain when Mount St. Helens blew. The force twisted his plane vertically with the wings pointed up and down. He was being pelted with rocks and it felt like they got hit by the heat of a monstrous pizza oven.

He had already spun the aircraft south toward Portland and regained control. He wanted to know where the ash plume was going and how to get back to Chehalis. In the meantime, I could hear the five frantic passengers in the background. Let’s just say their language was R-rated.

The latest plume trajectory forecast based upon the winds aloft was released earlier in the morning to support all the groups involved in the volcano’s preparedness. Those groups included the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), emergency management organizations including Cowlitz and Skamania counties, the state of Washington and more. Since the volcano’s tummy began rumbling in March, these groups worked together to prepare plans to respond in case of an eruption. Those plans were fully executed that morning.

I informed the pilot that the plume was heading east-northeast and that he could turn toward Kelso and follow Interstate 5 (I-5) north to Chehalis with no impact. He thanked me for the guidance and I hung up the red phone.

My lead forecaster, Paul Goree, looked at me with a knowing gaze of what that red phone call conversation involved. I assured him, it was the anticipated eruption of Mount St. Helens.

More from Ted Buehner: Will last weekend’s ‘summer weather’ stretch through the week?

The NWS response role involved several pieces. First, Goree issued a flash flood warning and the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS back then) was activated. I had several tasks to do. Initially, I contacted the Air Route Traffic Control Center in Auburn to inform them of the eruption and where the plume was headed. Their job was to shut down the airspace in the path of the ash plume and divert all aircraft away from any ash. The eruption threw ash as high as 80,000 feet into the atmosphere.

I next updated all the Eastern Washington-coded air terminal forecasts. But there was a problem; there was no code for volcanic ash. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had not established an aviation forecast code for volcanic ash. I gave Goree a few options and we chose “dust.” That element was the closest available to ash. Since then, the ICAO has created a volcanic ash code.

After that, I updated all the air route forecasts that involved the volcanic ash plume. In all, that hour on a mild sunny Sunday morning was one that blew by fast. Most people have big highlights in their careers and for me; this was my first.

Fifty-seven people around the volcano perished that morning. A lahar roared down the Toutle River, and tons of debris settled into the Cowlitz River and dumped into the Columbia River. Ash was transported around the world and in Eastern Washington; skies darkened so that street lights turned on, and up to five inches of ash piled up. It was a historic day.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Will the show continue this week?

Forecasters have suggested mixed news for those who are interested: Those in Washington may get a chance to see them Monday night, but it looks less likely going forward.

Examining Monday first, the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration‘s (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Sunday night that, “During periods of geomagnetic storm conditions, aurora will potentially be viewable at the middle (and higher) latitudes.”

Geomagnetic storming to persist tonight… pic.twitter.com/FdIRFiiXGP

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 13, 2024

The best visibility happens away from light pollution and on clear nights. To see how polluted your area is, visit ClearDarkSky’s light pollution map.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, the prediction center stated the aurora could be visible from some spots between New York and Idaho, and not Washington.

A G2 Watch is in effect for May 14… pic.twitter.com/DU4Bo3advf

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 13, 2024

In its coverage, however, USA Today added a word caution that forecasting space weather is difficult as researchers have to rely on observations of the sun, which is 93 million miles away from Earth to make their predictions.

What has caused the northern lights phenomenon?

The phenomenon comes after NOAA issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning when a solar outburst reached Earth on Friday. Geomagnetic storms, which can trigger the picturesque light displays we have been privy to, range from G1, which NOAA considers “minor” to G5, which are “extreme.”

NOAA explained Saturday that G3 (strong) and G4 (severe) conditions persisted through much of Saturday and a G4 watch is on for Sunday as well. The agency previously stated it hadn’t seen a solar storm like this since 2005. The strength of the storms has decreased significantly since last week, causing the likelihood to see the northern lights to fall significantly.

The spectacular event occurred because of a series of strong coronal mass ejections from the sun. Notably, NOAA stated on X, the source of the storm is a large complex sunspot cluster that is 17 times the diameter of Earth, or the size of 17 Earths.

As to why admirers looking up in the sky see different colors, the prediction center explained that it is defined by the altitude of the aurora. It linked to a PDF explaining more about the colors that can be seen here.

Red, Green, Blue? Why does the Aurora change colors? Chemistry! https://t.co/sAmnBfvL0q #SpaceWeather pic.twitter.com/ILpwHSJA1T

— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 13, 2024

Do these geomagnetic storms impact people on Earth?

NOAA states on its website that G5 storms can cause “widespread voltage control problems and protective system problems can occur. ” In addition, “some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage.”

The federal agency also said there were preliminary reports of power grid irregularities, degradation of high-frequency communications and global positioning systems.

But the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said that no region had reported any significant impact from the storms. The U.S. Department of Energy said Saturday it is not aware of any impact from the storms on electric customers.

not aware of any impact from the storms on electric customers.

SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service said on its website Saturday that service had been degraded and its team was investigating. CEO Elon Musk wrote on the social platform X overnight that its satellites were “under a lot of pressure, but holding up so far.”

But it shouldn’t affect the people who live on Earth.

“For most people here on planet Earth, they won’t have to do anything,” said Rob Steenburgh, a scientist with NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

“That’s really the gift from space weather: the aurora,” Steenburgh added. He and his colleagues said the best views may come from phone cameras, which are better at capturing light than the naked eye.

This storm posed a risk for high-voltage transmission lines for power grids, not the electrical lines ordinarily found in people’s homes, NOAA space weather forecaster Shawn Dahl told reporters. Satellites also could be affected, which in turn could disrupt navigation and communication services here on Earth.

An extreme geomagnetic storm in 2003, for example, took out power in Sweden and damaged power transformers in South Africa.

Even when the storm is over, signals between GPS satellites and ground receivers could be scrambled or lost, according to NOAA. But there are so many navigation satellites that any outages should not last long, Steenburgh noted.

Send us your photos

If you capture some spring pictures or do get to see the northern lights, please share your photos with MyNorthwest on our Share With Us page.

Contributing: The Associated Press; Julia Dallas

Editors’ note: This story originally was published on Saturday, May 11, 2024. It has been updated and republished multiple times since then.

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here.

This week’s weather

A weak Pacific weather system is set to move ashore Monday for even cooler weather and considerable cloudiness. A Puget Sound Convergence Zone could develop Monday and produce a few showers in parts of Snohomish and North King counties, extending into the Cascades. Highs Monday will cool into the 60s, rather close to the average maximum temperature for mid-May.

More on Puget Sound Convergence Zone: Convergence Zone brings sunshine, showers, rainbows

This weak weather system is slated to continue further inland Tuesday with higher pressure rebuilding over the region. Tuesday should have areas of morning clouds that will give way to more sunshine and warmer temperatures in the afternoon. Highs Tuesday are expected to range from the mid-60s to the lower 70s.

Wednesday and Thursday look to be the warmest days of the week with plenty of sunshine and highs returning to the 70s across much of the region. By Friday, a weak weather system tracking east into Western Canada will likely bring some cloudiness and cooler temperatures back into Western Washington. Highs on Friday are expected to ease back into the mid-60s to lower 70s.

Low temperatures all week are forecast to be in the mid-40s to lower 50s range.

Open-roof Mariners games

The Seattle Mariners continue their home stand through Wednesday after taking two of three games against Oakland over the weekend. The Kansas City Royals will be in town to take on the Mariners with the stadium roof expected to be open for all three games. Monday evening’s game may be considered chilly with first-pitch temperatures to be in the mid-60s, cooling to the upper 50s by the final out. Tuesday evening’s temperatures should be a bit warmer, and the afternoon game on Wednesday ought to be warm and sunny.

More from Ted Buehner: Does Washington get tornadoes? Here’s what you need to know

Looking ahead at the coming weekend, the forecast appears to remain dry, though there will be a mix of clouds and some sunshine with seasonable high temperatures mainly from 65 to 70. If there is any threat of light showers, they will likely be confined to the Northern Cascades.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

May historically has the most tornadoes of any month in the year across the U.S. By May 8, there have already been 129 preliminary reports in the month, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. That number of tornadoes was above the usual amount for May.

In April, 378 tornadoes were reported across the nation.

Buehner: Seattle’s first 80-degree days are fast approaching

Several listeners recently asked: does Washington get tornadoes? The answer is yes, yet fortunately not many. Washington averages between two and three tornadoes per year. Some years there were none reported. In 1997 though, a record 14 tornadoes occurred.

Most tornadoes in Washington are weak and last less than two minutes. Many are EF0 or EF1 in intensity with wind speeds under 110 mph. The Pacific Ocean helps moderate the air mass across the state, resulting in fewer thunderstorms and those storms tend to be of less intensity than their cousins east of the Rocky Mountains.

Tornados are borne from thunderstorms. Thunderstorms in this region can occur any time of the year, but the number tends to peak in the spring and fall during the transition seasons between winter and summer. As a result, the threat of tornadoes can occur throughout the year but also tends to peak during the spring and fall seasons.

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air in contact with the ground. A funnel cloud does not touch the ground. A waterspout is a tornado over water like Puget Sound.

Despite the influence of the Pacific Ocean, Washington has had some stronger tornadoes when a more unstable air mass, like helium balloons that rise without any help, supports more intense thunderstorms.

The Dec 2018 Port Orchard EF2 tornado was generated from a thunderstorm and had wind speeds of between 110 and 135 mph.

More weather: Will we be able to see the northern lights again this weekend? It’s likely

Washington has suffered three EF3 tornados since 1950, two occurring on the same day — April 5^th, 1972. Vancouver was hit by one, striking a school, grocery store and bowling house, killing six people and injuring over 200. Washington actually led the nation in tornado deaths that year. Later that same day, another EF3 tornado touched down outside of Davenport west of Spokane.

The other EF3 tornado occurred in early Dec 1969, starting as a waterspout off Des Moines and tracked into the Green River valley. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

Like thunderstorms with lightning, get indoors if a thunderstorm approaches. Remember, tornados are borne from thunderstorms. For safety, get into an interior room without windows or a basement if available.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. You can read more of Ted’s stories here and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter.

To see the aurora borealis, it’s best to go north — but meteorologists said if the solar flare storm is strong enough, areas south of Seattle could see it too.

“So if this is one of your hobbies this is the night to do it because it’s a big one,” KIRO 7 Meteorologist Nick Allard said.

According to forecasts from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the aurora was estimated to happen overnight, from 10 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday.

However, the best visibility happens away from light pollution and on clear nights. To see how light-polluted your area is, visit ClearDarkSky’s light pollution map.

The phenomenon comes after NOAA issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning when a solar outburst reached Earth on Friday afternoon, hours sooner than anticipated. The effects of the Northern Lights, were due to last through the weekend and possibly into next week.

Why were the northern lights so clear here?

The spectacular event occurred because of a series of strong coronal mass ejections from the sun. NOAA said it hasn’t seen a solar storm like this since 2005.

NOAA alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to take precautions.

“For most people here on planet Earth, they won’t have to do anything,” said Rob Steenburgh, a scientist with NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

The storm could produce northern lights as far south in the U.S. as Alabama and Northern California, NOAA said. But it was hard to predict and experts stressed it would not be the dramatic curtains of color normally associated with the northern lights, but more like splashes of greenish hues.

“That’s really the gift from space weather: the aurora,” Steenburgh said. He and his colleagues said the best aurora views may come from phone cameras, which are better at capturing light than the naked eye.

Snap a picture of the sky and “there might be actually a nice little treat there for you,” said Mike Bettwy, operations chief for the prediction center.

NOAA stated that while the geomagnetic storm may impact Earth’s infrastructure, it is also what triggers the magical aurora.

“This is an unusual and potentially historic event,” Clinton Wallace, the director of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, said via NOAA’s website.

If you capture some spring pictures or do get to see the northern lights, please share your photos with MyNorthwest on our Share With Us page.

But if the northern lights don’t inspire you, there are plenty of other activities happening in Seattle this weekend. You can check out a list of events here.

Contributing: The Associated Press; Sam Campbell and Ted Buehner, KIRO Newsradio

Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her stories here. Follow Julia on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email her here.