Memorial Day Weekend: One Day Out of Three

What a difference a year makes.

In 2009 the last week of May was nearly dry with temperatures above normal. 2010 will not be a repeat, unfortunately. I think we have a very good idea now of what will occur, and the weekend is going to be a mixed bag.

Lets start with Friday. WET. In fact, quite wet.

Rain will be moving in overnighttonight and will stay around most of the day over the western side of the state. Here is the 24-h rainfall ending 5 PM tomorrow.

Amazing amounts of rain (1-4 inches) over the N. Cascades, with bountiful amounts rotated into NW Washington. Even eastern WA will get a good soaking. So if you are going to take Friday off to enjoy of four-day weekend, don't plan any picnics or barbecues. Or surprise your boss and say you would rather work.

So cross off Friday.

Saturday will be better, which will not be hard to do. Here are the three-hour rain forecasts ending 8 AM and 2 PM (below).


Showers will be continuing over the mountains and western slopes, with some showers over the lowlands. Mostly cloudy. If you can head to eastern Washington you can do better, with sun and temps rising into the 60s (except the northern portion).

The 24-h rainfall ending 5 PM Saturday is shown below. Still plenty of liquid sunshine.

Sunday will clearly be the best day of the weekend. It will be dry during the first part of the day in the interior with light rain approaching the coast during the afternoon (see graphic of 3-h precipitation ending 5 PM), associated with an approaching Pacific system. Sun and temperatures in the mid 60s west over the western interior. Dry for hiking.

Monday, Memorial Day, will be cloudy with light rain, with temperatures falling back into the lower 60s.

Memorial Day weekend has never been dependable around here and probably never will be, but by maximizing outdoor recreation on Sunday and heading east of the Cascades on the others, you could have sun every day.