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Weather Eye: Bask in dry, warm Memorial Day weekend

By Patrick Timm
Published: May 28, 2017, 6:00am

What a great weekend remembering those that served and died defending our country. It also will be memorable weather with dry, sunny and warm conditions. The only notable events include scattered thunderstorms along the Cascade Mountains today and Monday and the persistent coastal low stratus clouds hugging the coastline. Otherwise, it is clear and sunny.

We haven’t had a three-day Memorial Day holiday with warm and dry conditions in decades. The odds usually are not in our favor. OK, so what’s next in the weather department? A downturn, of course, but nothing really major. Just some low clouds, maybe a light shower or drizzle midweek. Temperatures will be close to seasonal normals, which are about 70 or 71 degrees.

High pressure builds toward the weekend and fair weather abounds, but no 90-degree weather in sight after this three-day weekend. June 1st is Thursday and the official start of summer for us weather and climate folks. The cold, wet winter and spring is now a fleeting memory, maybe one to forget.

Twelve years ago this weekend in Seattle, it was so warm that the National Weather Service in Seattle issued the first “Excessive Heat Advisory.” After much research and analyses, it was determined that heat was actually a problem in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. This is not to be confused with the Heat Index which advises the public for high temperature along with high humidity. When we get our heat waves, the humidity is generally quite low.

Nationwide, over 1500 people die each year due to excessive heat. The Seattle area was only the 15th urban region of at least 500,000 populations to implement this new system. Let’s hope this summer is cooler.

Despite the warm weather and high freezing levels, there is still a good coating of white on both Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens. It adds a nice contrast to the afternoon horizon. Have a great Memorial Day and enjoy the BBQ!


Patrick Timm is a local weather specialist. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Reach him at http://patricktimm.com.

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