Won't Let Go

Indeed, the NW flow of chilly, damp Alaska Gulf air into the PNW won’t let go.  Refill that Mug to warm up this discussion.

This week.  Cool pattern remains in place, with a break on tap for mid-to-late week.  Showers, possible thunderstorms and lots of cloudiness is the forecast for today, Monday May 12.  Not too damp over the Puget Sound though, as that pesky Low slowing fills in over southern OR.  Showers will diminish a fair amount tomorrow, but it will take until Wed afternoon to clear out the moisture.  We see a decent afternoon on Wed region wide, with temps rebounding into the 60s; a tad warmer & sunny Thu May 15, but around the Puget Sound, a band of cloudiness will move onshore with a chance for a shower; south and east of that area should remain dry & mild Thu into Fri to wrap up the week.  

The coming weekend.  Across the entire PNW, clouds and precip will increase on Sat May 17.  Cooler temps again, as well, although Sunday could end up as mostly dry & partly cloudy. 

Next week.  The repeating play of cool, damp air masses moving in from the NW will bring even more rain/showers during the week of May 19-23.  For now, models suggest Mon the 19th and Fri the 23rd as the dry, mild days of that week.  Note: it will be a rather chilly system that week, so mountain snowfall above the passes is probable.  Won’t Let Go.

Memorial Day Holiday Weekend - May 24-26.  Model solutions moved up the arrival of more rain/showers during the US holiday to late Saturday (northern WA/BC) instead of on Memorial Day itself;  Sunday is trending wet, however models hold most of the precip to the north of Portland (quite wet along the western slopes of the northern Cascades — if models verify, hikers/campers beware).  All that said, we do know model charts often change, so maybe all will be fine the holiday weekend.

We do see the potential for an extended DRY PERIOD, with seasonally warm temps, AFTER the holiday weekend; the final 6 days of May 2025 could be pleasant.  Hopefully.