Brier Weather Station
Latitude N 47° 46' 49" Longitude W 122° 16' 48" Elevation 341 ft
622
FXUS66 KSEW 142141
AFDSEW
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Seattle WA
241 PM PDT Sat Mar 14 2026
.SYNOPSIS...
Lingering showers will continue in the Cascades and
foothill areas this afternoon and evening. The remainder of
western Washington will see quiet conditions tonight into Sunday
with the pattern returning to active early next week. Snow
levels and temperatures will increase next week as rain moves
into the region with a few systems.
&&
.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
A trough pushed through western WA late yesterday, with the
pattern beginning to change today into Sunday as a brief ridge
over the Pacific flattens as it moves onshore Sunday. Behind
yesterday`s trough, there remains a couple areas of convergence
zone showers across the Cascades. The primary area the showers
are covering is along and north of I-90. The temperatures remain
coldest in the I-90 corridor this afternoon, although
temperatures have warmed quite a bit in the foothills and
lowlands this afternoon (breaking 40 degrees). Snow impacts are
decreasing this afternoon, and no further winter products will
be issued past the remaining advisory for the central Cascades
and Foothills (which will expire by 5 PM).
The remainder of the lowlands will see a mix of clouds of sun
this afternoon and evening with the brief high pressure. This
will transition to high clouds ahead of the next system tonight.
A couple spots may see patchy fog/freezing fog tonight with the
light winds, but the high clouds will likely hinder any
widespread development. The temperatures will be on the chilly
side, with most of western WA at or below freezing tonight
(temperatures in the upper 20s to low 40s, with low 20s and
teens in the mountains). A few shady spots that stay damp
tonight may see slick spots form Sunday morning (especially if
untreated).
The ridge flattens Sunday, with the next jet streak & moist
conveyor belt setting up to the north of the states in Canada.
There is a warm front that will approach the coast late Sunday
morning and afternoon. Snow levels will increase to over 9,000
ft on Sunday. The next round of precipitation does not arrive
along the coast until late Sunday morning/early afternoon, and
does not reach the remainder of the interior until late Sunday
evening. Snow will be limited to the Cascades and Olympics, and
just the peaks as the snow levels rise. A couple early showers
Sunday morning that come ashore may produce a couple
snowflakes. The precipitation continues into Monday, with a few
heavier areas of QPF being focused in the Cascades, the
Olympics and coast. There are expectations that rivers and
streams will rise with the additional rain falling on top of the
melting snow next week (see the hydrology discussion below for
further details). Highs increase into the mid and upper 40s
Sunday and Monday, with lows well above freezing Sunday and
Monday night. The coast and north interior have the potential to
see windy conditions, with gusts most likely at this time
approaching 30-35 mph.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
The warm and wet pattern will continue through the week, with a
couple additional rounds of moderate precipitation expected in
the mountains and the coast at times through the week. The
precipitation begins to scale back on Friday, with some
disagreement if the warm pattern continues into the weekend, or
if it becomes cooler. The temperatures will warm gradually
through the week, with lowlands seeing highs approach the upper
50s to low 60s.
HPR
&&
.AVIATION...Lingering convergence zone showers will mainly
affect the central Cascades this evening. High pressure moving
inland tonight for a mix of mid and high clouds. Patchy fog
possible around the south sound. Rain from a warm front will
reach the coast Sunday morning and the interior during the
afternoon. The front will lift north Sunday night. 33
KSEA...VFR conditions will prevail. Light variable wind becoming
S to SE by 06Z. Patchy low clouds or fog in the vicinity early
Sunday. 33
&&
.MARINE...High pressure will shift inland tonight. Southerly
flow will increase on Sunday as a strong warm front shifts north
into southern British Columbia. Moderate south winds will
continue into Monday and Tuesday with Small Craft Advisories
possible for the interior waters. Seas will build to 10-12 ft by
Tuesday. 33
&&
.HYDROLOGY...River flooding continues for rivers across the
Chehalis basin. Rivers currently in flood stage include the
Skookumchuck River near Bucoda, and the Chehalis River near
Grand Mound and at Porter. Expect rivers to crest today into
Sunday and to start receding.
Attention will then turn to an atmospheric river expected to
move inland to the north of the region early next week before
gradually sagging southward into our area. Higher snow levels
and rain on recent snows in the mountains could bring additional
flooding concerns to portions of the area as several rivers are
forecast to rise into Action Stage. For now, the only river
forecast to reach flood stage is the Skokomish River- but river
forecasts will bear watching over the coming days.
&&
.SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Winter Weather Advisory until 5 PM PDT this afternoon for
Cascades of Southern King County-Foothills and Valleys of
Central King County.
PZ...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT this evening for Central
U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-East Entrance U.S.
Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-West Entrance U.S. Waters
Strait Of Juan De Fuca.
Small Craft Advisory from 11 AM Sunday to 5 PM PDT Monday for
Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery To James Island 10 To
60 Nm-Coastal Waters From Cape Flattery To James Island
Out 10 Nm-Coastal Waters From James Island To Point
Grenville 10 To 60 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.
&&
$$
NWS SEW Office Area Forecast Discussion