Conditions Ripe For Thunderstorms In Western Washington Thursday

ENUMCLAW, WA - Temperatures are forecast to rise into the mid or upper-70s on Thursday around Puget Sound. But with such a warm-up comes the chance of thunderstorms, according to forecasts. There's a good chance for thunder and lightning all around Puget Sound Thursday, but especially for areas east of Tacoma and Seattle near the Cascades.

National Weather Service meteorologist Josh Smith said thunderstorms are likely to strike during the afternoon and evening hours Thursday. Conditions are ripe for sustained thunderstorms, Smith said, due to a variety of meteorological conditions. Right now, the atmosphere is unstable, with warm air and a high dew point.

Thunderstorms are more likely in the areas near the Cascades because mountains can push unstable air to rise quickly into the upper atmosphere. That includes areas like Bellevue, Enumclaw, and Puyallup.

There's also about a 5 percent chance for "severe" thunderstorms tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service's national forecasting center. A severe thunderstorm contains one of three elements: hail, wind gusts in excess of 50 MPH, or a tornado. If storms are severe in our area, we would likely see some hail.

(Interesting coincidence: it's National Severe Weather week, and the National Weather Service has set up a page for you to check out tips on how to stay safe.)

Aside from the danger of lightning strikes, the sudden warm-up around the region has increased the risk of avalanches in the mountains. The Northwest Avalanche Center issued a special advisory about conditions on Wednesday.

But before the storms roll in, the region will be bathed in sun and warmth. Here are the expected highs for Thursday around the region according to the National Weather Service:

• Bellevue - 75
• Bonney Lake - 75
• Edmonds - 71
• Enumclaw - 78
• Gig Harbor - 75
• Issaquah - 75
• Kirkland - 73
• Lakewood - 74
• Mercer Island - 75
• Redmond - 75
• Renton - 75
• Seattle - 75
• Shoreline - 77
• Sumner - 77
• Woodinville - 74
• University Place - 73

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