Welcome and beneficial rain is on the way for this evening. An area of low pressure is moving across the Oregon/Washington border and circulation around the low will bring showers this evening and some nice rain overnight.
Early computer models today predict as much as 1 to 2 inches of rain in the mountains and parts of Central Washington by tomorrow evening, and the lowlands could get over a half an inch to 1 inch of rain with this event.
It's possible that more rain will fall tonight than during the entire month of August.
The good news is that the rain is mainly expected late today, overnight, and during the first part of the day tomorrow. That means there may still be dry time Sunday afternoon.
As the low-pressure area moves east, wewill likely have a decent (but still cool) Sunday afternoon. Temperatures this weekend will be cooler than normal. The highs will only get into the 60s today and tomorrow and the average high for this time of year is 73 degrees.
If this weather system plays out as predicted, it will be extremely good news for areas dealing with fires in the Cascades and parts of Central Washington. The area around the fire burning near Snoqualmie Pass could get a soaking rain tonight, and the same thing is possible for the Chelan area this evening.
A few thunderstorms are also possible this evening and overnight. Wind will pick up a little bit this evening as the low moves across the southern part of the state. Gusts over 20 are possible, but it shouldn't be overly windy…except around thunderstorms that develop.
This weather system is likely to deliver much more rain to central and southern Washington than to counties along the Canadian border. For example, rain totals around Bellingham could be very different from those around Tacoma.
The extended outlook for next week calls for a return of sunshine and even a bit of "last hurrah" summer weather.
By Thursday and Friday, the computer models are forecasting high temperatures to go back into the mid and upper 70s… There could even be some 80° weather around the area on Thursday and Friday. Stay tuned!
Enjoy the beneficial rain we are expecting tonight.