More April Showers and a Chance of Thunderstorms: Puget Sound Forecast

SEATTLE — After the weekend brought plenty of sunshine and temperatures around Puget Sound reaching the mid-60s, cooler days and scattered showers are forecast to complete the last week of April.

Afternoon temperatures were down about 10 degrees on Monday, with some rain in places, and that trend looks likely to continue through the working week, according to the National Weather Service. The latest forecasts show little variability for most of the week, with daytime temperatures landing in the mid-50s each day and overnight lows in the low 40s.

Tuesday may be slightly cooler with a low chance of heavy rain and afternoon thunderstorms along the I-5 corridor, but forecasters expect the storm to move through quickly.

“The Tuesday system is associated with cooler temperatures in the air and a better chance of thunderstorm activity during the day,” NWS Seattle wrote Monday. “At daybreak there is a 15-20% chance of thunderstorms along the Washington coast. Probability increases to 25-30% along the I-5 corridor by afternoon and holds line near King-Snohomish County until early evening where a Puget Sound Convergence Zone is likely to develop.”

Forecasters said residents in the area should expect a brief bout of heavy rain, hail and possible lightning.

Wednesday looks set to become drier for most ahead of another weak system moving across the region on Thursday. The National Weather Service is still finalizing the details for late week’s forecast, but sees no effective systems on the horizon. For now, the chance of showers remains in the forecast through the weekend, with slightly warmer temperatures expected on Friday.

The cooler trend this spring has been a boon for the mountains, including at Snoqualmie Pass, where officials have reported 61.5 inches April snow through Monday – the third snowiest April since records began.

Here is the 5 day weather forecast for the Seattle area:

• Tuesday: 53°/40° (showers, thunderstorms possible in the afternoon)
• Wednesday: 56°/41° (rain possible)
• Thursday: 55°/43° (rain likely)
• Friday: 58°/46° (slight chance of rain)
• Saturday: 55°/44° (Mostly cloudy)