Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Seattle/Tacoma, WA

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895
FXUS66 KSEW 112130
AFDSEW

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Seattle WA
230 PM PDT Sat Oct 11 2025

.SYNOPSIS...Cool and unsettled conditions continue across
Western Washington this weekend. A system moving southward from
British Columbia Sunday will bring the first noteworthy high
elevation snow of the season. Drier conditions will return early
next week with offshore flow. Typical autumnal conditions return
later next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...An upper level trough is
passing east through the region today with showers and cooler
conditions across the westside. Temperatures are in the low to mid
50s which is around 5 to 10 degrees cooler than average. Showers
will mainly impact the interior and Cascades this afternoon and
evening then taper down overnight. Expect overnight lows in the
40s.

A second, cooler, system will drop down from B.C. on Sunday for
more showers and also mountain snow. The highest snow totals will
be in the Cascades and above 4,000 ft where 4 to 10 inches of snow
will fall through early Monday morning. Higher totals are
possible at Mount Baker and Paradise on Mount Rainier. This will
be the first notable snowfall in the mountains this season -
hikers and travelers should expect wintry conditions.

Drier weather is slated for Monday and Tuesday as the upper low
digs farther south toward central CA. Across western WA, the flow
will turn offshore and we could see breezy winds in the north
interior with Fraser River outflow. The air mass will be dry and
cool Tuesday morning with temperatures in the mid to upper 30s
(frost potential). Expect highs around 60 with mostly clear
skies. 33

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...Onshore flow resumes on
Wednesday as the upper low moves inland and over the Intermountain
West. Weak high pressure follows on Thursday but some light warm
frontal precip may clip the area for a chance of rain. Rain
chances increase Thursday night and Friday as a weak frontal
system moves inland. Wet weather continues over the weekend as a
stronger system moves in. 33

&&

.AVIATION...An upper level trough continues to push through western
WA this afternoon, with flow now turning northwesterly aloft as the
axis is over and east of the Cascades. Several areas of rain showers
continue this afternoon in the interior and Cascade terminals. Most
activity will consolidate down into a convergence zone in northern
King/south Snohomish Counties through 06Z. Rain showers over the
terminals have been reducing visibilities at times down to 3 SM this
afternoon. Cigs remain a toss-up between MVFR and IFR with the
shower activity, but the most likely scenario is for ceilings to
lift up to MVFR region-wide once rain showers diminish going into
tonight/tomorrow. A few additional showers will be possible Sunday
afternoon in the north interior, potentially reaching Puget Sound
with a secondary trough passing through. Surface winds in the
interior through tonight will remain W/SW 5-10 kt (couple gusts to
18 kt possible), with winds along the coast becoming northwesterly
at or slightly above the same magnitude. The gusts will linger in
spots through Sunday afternoon, which going into Sunday evening
winds will become northerly 4-8 kt.

KSEA...Intermittent rain showers will continue this
afternoon/evening. A convergence zone is expected in to the
north/northeast of the terminal through 04-06Z. Unless the
convergence zone drifts towards the terminal, winds will remain
southwesterly 5-10 kt gusting to 18 kt through the evening,
decreasing to 4-8kt into Sunday, with northerly winds likely after
00Z Monday. The showers/nearby convergence zone will likely keep
ceilings MVFR (brief IFR possible at times), with visibility impacts
possible with any showers over the terminals. MVFR is expected
through Sunday, may not see VFR until early Monday morning.

HPR

&&

.MARINE...Increased onshore flow will continue into tonight. A
low pressure system will develop along the southern coast of
Vancouver Island late Sunday and move southwards along the
Coastal Waters Monday. Gale Warnings continue for the central
and northern outer Coastal Waters due to increased northwest
winds through Sunday morning. Small Craft Advisory winds exist
elsewhere for the Coastal Waters. Have issued a Small Craft
Advisory for the central and eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca this
evening with increased westerly winds. Probabilities of wind
gusts of 25 kt peak between 40 to 60 percent, with higher
likelihood of gusts exceeding SCA threshold for the Strait this
evening.

Winds will then transition more northeast Sunday night as the
aforementioned weather system slides southwards along the
coast. A Gale Watch has been issued for the northern inland
waters Sunday night through Monday night for these northeast
winds. SCA winds are also likely over portions of the Strait of
Juan de Fuca and the Coastal Waters. Furthermore, brief SCA wind
gusts will need to be monitored for Puget Sound on Monday.
Winds will then ease Monday night into Tuesday as high pressure
builds back into Western Washington.

Seas will build to 11 to 15 ft tonight. Seas will be steep with
a dominant period of 10 seconds. Seas will gradually subside on
Sunday. Seas will fall to 5 to 8 feet by late Monday. JD

&&

.SEW WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Winter Weather Advisory from 5 AM Sunday to 5 AM PDT Monday for
     Cascades of Snohomish and Northern King Counties-Cascades
     of Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 8 AM Sunday to 11 AM PDT Monday for
     Cascades of Pierce and Lewis Counties.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 5 PM PDT Sunday
     for Grays Harbor Bar.

     Small Craft Advisory until midnight PDT tonight for Central U.S.
     Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-East Entrance U.S. Waters
     Strait Of Juan De Fuca.

     Gale Watch from Sunday evening through late Monday night for
     Northern Inland Waters Including The San Juan Islands.

     Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM PDT Sunday for Coastal Waters
     From Cape Flattery To James Island Out 10 Nm-Coastal Waters
     From James Island To Point Grenville Out 10 Nm-Coastal
     Waters From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater Out 10 Nm.

     Gale Warning until 8 AM PDT Sunday for Coastal Waters From Cape
     Flattery To James Island 10 To 60 Nm-Coastal Waters From
     James Island To Point Grenville 10 To 60 Nm.

     Small Craft Advisory from 8 AM to 8 PM PDT Sunday for Coastal
     Waters From Cape Flattery To James Island 10 To 60 Nm-
     Coastal Waters From James Island To Point Grenville 10 To
     60 Nm.

     Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM PDT Sunday for Coastal Waters
     From Point Grenville To Cape Shoalwater 10 To 60 Nm.


&&

$$