Rain and blustery winds return to western Washington as weather systems line up

To borrow a phrase from the old TV show Laugh-In, “Here come da rain, here come da rain!”

The first few days of November were dry, but the weather’s turn will help preserve this month’s reputation as the year’s wettest.

A series of weather systems are lined up across the north Pacific with western Washington in their way. The first system brought some rain into the region Wednesday night. The next weather system is due to spread more rain onshore Friday along with blustery winds, that are strongest along the coast and from about Whidbey Island northward.

The following weather system is due to arrive Saturday night into Sunday with more rain and blustery winds. Supporting these north Pacific weather systems is a strong jet stream up around 30,000 feet, blowing more than 150 mph at times. Those strong winds aloft will continue to pump energy into these weather systems.

Total rainfall amounts through the weekend are expected to be one to three inches along the coast and in the mountains, and from a half inch to around an inch and a half in the western interior.

Between these systems will offer some occasional sunshine. Temperatures are expected to remain relatively mild as well, with highs primarily in the 50s and lows mainly in the 40s.

Mountains

With the overall mild conditions, mountain snow levels are expected to remain mainly above the highway passes. Snow levels will range from about 4,500 feet up to 8,000 feet through the weekend, rising and falling with the passage of each weather system.

Next week

Looking ahead to next week, the periods of rain and relatively mild temperatures are anticipated to continue. November is usually the wettest month of the year, and the upcoming weather pattern moving well into next week is going to reflect that reputation.

Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. Follow him on X and Bluesky. Read more of his stories here.