895 FXUS66 KSEW 102154 AFDSEWArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Seattle WA 254 PM PDT Fri Oct 10 2025
.SYNOPSIS...Seasonally cool and unsettled conditions will settle across western Washington through the weekend into early next week. A system moving southward from British Columbia Sunday will bring the first noteworthy high elevation snow of the season. Drier conditions will return toward the middle of next week as high pressure rebuilds over the region.
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.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...Periods of showers will continue to affect much of western Washington this evening. It does look like the heavier band of precipitation that the high resolution ensembles have been showing moving through the metro area this afternoon is actually keeping to the east of the Cascades. Guidance consistently showing a break in the precipitation tonight with another organized band with the front early Saturday morning. Behind this will likely be another dry break for most areas except the Cascades until early Sunday morning. An upper level shortwave moving southward through British Columbia will start to push precipitation back into Washington from the north - with lowering snow levels. Heaviest precipitation looks to be over the Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit Counties Sunday - with snow levels starting around 4300 feet and lowering to around 2200 feet by early Monday morning. NBM continues to highlight 60-75% chance of 8 inches or more above 5000 feet over the northern Cascades, and a winter weather advisory has been issued for the northern Cascades to reflect the early season accumulations at high elevations. Precip amounts taper off through the Cascades from Snohomish County southward - with snow levels running about 1000 feet higher than the northern Cascades. This will mean accumulations will be generally less and limited to the highest elevations along the crest of the Cascades and Mount Rainier. Stevens pass may be the only pass that gets any accumulation 60-70% chance of 1 to 2 inches through the day Sunday. Even at Snoqualmie Pass, where accumulations are not expected, there`s still the likelihood of periods of snow mixed in with rain. Those that plan to head to the higher mountain elevations this weekend should be prepared to encounter snow and cold conditions and closely monitor the weather forecast in the next few days.
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.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...Ensemble guidance continues to favor the upper low over Oregon ultimately digging into California. This will pull precipitation away from the the Pacific NW and a drier pattern towards mid week. There remains elevated concern for morning frost Monday and Tuesday as clearing skies and light winds yield efficient cooling and temperatures may reach the mid to upper 30s for the sheltered interior locations away from the water. After a few dry days, guidance favors a return of a more active pattern, and associated precipitation chances, late in the week.
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.AVIATION...Southeasterly to southerly flow aloft as an upper level low remains offshore. VFR conditions this afternoon with showers moving northward. Ceilings will likely remain VFR throughout the remainder of the evening but will slowly lower to MVFR by Saturday morning across most of the area terminals. Bands of showers will continue into the evening and could lower terminals down to MVFR in heavier showers. Surface winds remaining southerly around 5 to 10 knots.
KSEA...VFR conditions this afternoon with light showers in the vicinity. Ceilings are leaning towards remaining VFR throughout the evening before lowering to MVFR overnight and into Saturday morning. A shower or two may go over the terminal but ceilings look to remain VFR. Southerly winds look to remain around 4 to 8 knots throughout the TAF period.
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.MARINE...High pressure will build in temporarily over the area waters on Saturday between weather systems. Winds will be elevated over the outer coastal waters, with a gale warning now posted from Saturday morning through Sunday morning. Winds over the interior waters will remain below thresholds, with the only exception being possible Small Craft Advisory level westerly winds through the Strait of Juan de Fuca late Saturday night into Sunday morning. As another low pressure system approaches the coast on Sunday, winds will turn offshore, with a stronger gradient through the Strait of Juan de Fuca expected. These winds are suggestive of potential gales, but will let subsequent forecast details evolve before making a determination.
Seas on Sunday will rise to 12-15 feet, which can create hazardous beach conditions. Recreators on coastal Washington beaches should be attentive to the ocean conditions and stay tuned to the forecast. Winds will also be elevated, primarily along coastal Grays Harbor County on Sunday. Winds will also pick up out of the northeast late Sunday into Monday for western Whatcom county and the northern interior waters.
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.SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WA...Winter Weather Advisory from 5 AM Sunday to 5 AM PDT Monday for Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 5 PM Saturday to 2 PM PDT Sunday for Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery To James Island Out 10 Nm-Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville Out 10 Nm-Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater Out 10 Nm.
Gale Warning from 8 AM Saturday to 2 PM PDT Sunday for Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery To James Island 10 To 60 Nm- Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville 10 To 60 Nm.
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NWS SEW Office Area Forecast Discussion