Not so fast, sunny spring — more dreary days loom for Puget Sound before sunshine sticks

Patio chairs sneaked onto the sidewalks and umbrellas went up today around the Puget Sound as clear, sunny skies brought temperatures peaking above 60 degrees Saturday afternoon, but forecasters warn the fun won’t last.

Clouds are expected to roll through the region starting tonight, leading to a chance of rain Sunday that could extend to Monday — so much for the spring equinox.

Wet days will continue through at least next Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Next week, temperatures will also drop back to the low 50s and high 40s during the day and into the 30s at night.

In Tacoma, a forecasted high of 63 degrees today will lead to a low of 44 tonight, but not before that 60-plus degree glory will reach around the Sound, including near Mt. Rainier National Park and north to Seattle. Bellingham also welcomes a lush 61 degrees Saturday afternoon.

The fun will peter out after 7 p.m., when similar dips are anticipated in Olympia and closer to the coast from Aberdeen to Astoria.

“Despite these 2-3 days of 60+ degree conditions, we’re going to fall back below normal early next week,” NWS Seattle wrote on Twitter. “Enjoy these pleasant conditions while they last!”

A storm system is forecasted to barrel toward the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, with the heart of it hitting California where unusual winter weather has dumped snow and rain. This next round of precipitation will further curtail the state’s drought, according to a St. Patrick’s Day AccuWeather report.

Take what you can: Climate experts say last February was the fourth warmest ever recorded, with the most jarring effects hitting Europe, Asia and Africa. The stats for North America landed around “warmer-than-average,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported last week.

Precipitation in much of the U.S. — from Washington, Oregon and California through the middle of the country and up and down the East Coast — is expected to surpass normal levels over the next two weeks, said the NOAA on Saturday afternoon. Temperatures in most of the western half of the U.S., including Western Washington, will also drop well below normal digits through the end of the month.