Bright, Hot Memorial Day Weekend Forecast In Washington

SEATTLE — Early indications for an unusually pleasant Memorial Day weekend appear to be holding up, with sunshine and warmth expected to build across Puget Sound starting Saturday and continuing through mid-week.

According to the latest forecasts, lingering clouds will largely clear out after Saturday morning, setting the table for a streak of summerlike weather over the next five days. Temperatures should rise gradually with each passing day, beginning around the 70-degree mark Saturday afternoon and nearing the 80s by next Wednesday.

"The air will warm and dry through the holiday weekend as high pressure builds in," wrote Carly Kovacik, lead forecaster for NWS Seattle. "Areas of morning clouds are a pretty good bet on Saturday, and some mid and high clouds might reach the area from a weak front brushing by Sunday afternoon or night, but otherwise the trend for sunnier, warmer weather looks good for the holiday weekend."

Here's the 5-day weather outlook for the Seattle area:

• Saturday: 69°/50° (Mostly sunny)
• Sunday: 75°/54° (Partly sunny)
• Memorial Day: 76°/57° (Partly sunny)
• Tuesday: 78°/59° (Sunny)
• Wednesday: 79°/59° (Sunny)

A few clouds are likely to make an appearance Sunday and Monday, but sunshine should prevail, making for afternoon highs in the mid-70s. Clouds will be a little more stubborn along the coast. However, temperatures will still be comfortable in the mid-60s through the holiday weekend.

After Memorial Day, Tuesday and Wednesday look to be even warmer and brighter before a chance of rain returns for the latter half of the workweek.

The latest dry streak arrives on the heels of a historically dry March and April, which prompted the state to issue drought advisories this week for most areas outside Puget Sound. State officials encourage those hitting the road to explore other parts of Washington over the holiday weekend to keep in mind the high level of fire dangers around the region.