dailyloe.com – On Sunday, several cities in western Washington experienced record-breaking temperatures. SeaTac airport reached 81 degrees, surpassing a 34-year-old high temperature record.
This warmth stemmed from a strengthening ridge of high pressure over western Washington and British Columbia. Thermal low pressure developing west of the Cascades further drove temperatures into the mid-70s to mid-80s.
Temperatures significantly exceeded the seasonal averages, which are typically in the low 60s. The warmest temperatures occurred in the South Sound, Southwest Interior, and Cascade foothills.
Puget Sound regions experienced slightly cooler temperatures due to an afternoon sea breeze. However, inland areas felt the full extent of the heat.
Seattle recorded an all-time high of 81 degrees, breaking the previous record of 77 set in 1992. Olympia also saw a high of 84 degrees, exceeding the record of 82 established in 1944.
Other cities that either broke or tied record high temperatures include Bellingham, which observed 76 degrees, breaking the 74-degree record from 1992. Hoquiam reached 74 degrees, surpassing the 73-degree record set in 1956.
Quillayute tied its record with a temperature of 83 degrees, matching the previous record from 1992. The heat is expected to ease on Monday, though interior areas will remain warm, with highs projected in the 70s to low 80s.
Seattle’s high temperature on Monday is forecasted to reach 79 degrees, which will not break the record high of 85 for May 4. Temperatures will gradually decrease throughout the week due to returning onshore flow.
By Thursday and Friday, highs are expected to cool to the mid-60s to low 70s. May will bring an increase in daylight hours, with the Seattle area gaining about 20 minutes in sunset times every two weeks.
