SEATTLE/WESTERN WASHINGTON — Scattered thunderstorms are on the way for Seattle and the broader Puget Sound region Saturday, potentially bringing the city its first measurable rain of the month. The rain is arriving alongside a lightning threat, with Fire Weather Warnings in effect across the Olympics, Cascades, and much of Eastern Washington due to dry fuels and erratic winds.
Upper Level Low Brings Storms to Western Washington
An upper level low offshore Friday will swirl into southwestern Washington overnight, pushing across the Puget Sound and Western Washington early Saturday morning before exiting through the North Sound by Saturday afternoon. The system will carry unstable air combined with lingering heat, creating conditions favorable for thunderstorms rather than just showers.
All areas in Western Washington, including the main Seattle and Puget Sound metro, have a chance of scattered thunderstorms and lightning Saturday. Coverage is expected to favor southwestern Washington and the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas early, then shift toward the North Sound later in the morning and afternoon.
Fire Weather Warnings Issued for Olympics and Cascades
Fire Weather Warnings are in effect across the Cascades and Olympics due to the combination of potential lightning striking dry fuels and erratic outflow winds that can fan flames unpredictably on any new or existing fires. Lightning is expected to begin in the Cascades and southwestern coast as early as overnight Friday.
In the lowlands, lightning is expected to begin around 3 to 4 a.m. in the South Sound, then move into the Central Sound between 4 and 6 a.m., generally tracking south to north through the morning hours.
Eastern Washington Facing Higher Lightning Risk With Little Rain
Eastern Washington faces an even greater lightning risk than the west side, a serious concern given the region remains tinder dry with ongoing wildfires. Unlike Western Washington, storms across Eastern Washington may bring little to no rainfall alongside the lightning threat…