Sun is shining in Olympia this week. Is warm weather here to stay? Check the forecast
It seems like for much of spring so far, Olympia and the rest of the south Puget Sound region have faced a continuous streak of overcast skies and chilly temperatures. Thurston County had vibrant, grab-your-hiking-boots levels of spring weather only intermittently in March and April. So far, May has been a mixed bag of clouds and sunshine.
But there’s good weather news ahead.
The National Weather Service predicts that for the rest of this week, temperatures will continue to rise into the Mother’s Day weekend when temperatures could hit 90.
“This certainly seems like the upper end on the tier (of climatology),” Jacob DeFlitch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle told The Olympian.
Olympia’s warming temperatures
DeFlitch says that the Olympia area, and the south Puget Sound in general, will see nothing but sunshine and clear skies ahead.
A few showers around the area today then dry for the rest of the week into next week. Mothers Day weekend looking hot with possible record highs Sunday (Seattle record on Sunday 88° in 2018). About 40% chance of getting into the 90s Sunday for Seattle, 50%+ for SW Interior. #wawx pic.twitter.com/JZzWiapa8g
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) May 8, 2023
The meteorologist explained that the air is gradually warming because eastbound winds are carrying dry and warm air from the Cascade mountain range to the south Puget Sound region.
Days to look out for this week, DeFlitch says, are Wednesday and Thursday, which will see the mercury passing into 70-degree territory. He says the week’s overall highlight will be on Saturday and Sunday, when temperatures could reach the upper 80s to 90, providing a taste of summer.
The Mother’s Day weekend heat will continue into early next week, DeFlitch adds. He says that temperatures will likely drop into the 70-degree range by mid-week next week.
While we're still several days out, confidence is increasing in a mid to late week warm up across W WA. Below are the chances of high temperatures reaching 80°F or above next Saturday- May 13th. #wawx pic.twitter.com/6F9y66SdO2
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) May 7, 2023
Olympia temperature forecast
The following are forecast temperatures for Olympia into next week. Monday is expected to be the hottest day:
Wednesday, May 10: High 71; Low 46
Thursday: High 73; Low 47
Friday: High 79; Low 53
Saturday: High 85; Low 58
Sunday: High 91; Low 59
Monday, May 15: High 93, Low 59
Tuesday: High 86, Low 57
Wednesday, May 17: High 88, Low 56
Thursday, May 18: High 78, Low 53
Cold-water alert
Although many Olympians and others in Thurston County might be eager to take a dip in a river, lake or Puget Sound during the hot weather, DeFlitch cautions residents to refrain from diving head first into the water. He notes that though the area will experience an influx of heat, the Puget Sound is currently still at temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s.
Washington State Parks defines “cold water” as any body of water below 70 degrees. The state agency states that cold water can be hazardous, or even deadly, because swimmers may experience:
Cold-water shock
Swim failure
Hypothermia
Temperatures today will range in the upper 50s to upper 60s with a few showers along the northern tier. Temperatures will then warm into the 70s and a few low 80s Friday-Saturday! However, the water temperatures are still cold, take precautions if going out on the water. #WAwx pic.twitter.com/sjCv6aoGbO
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) April 26, 2023
