Seattle weather: Thunderstorms possible as temperatures drop

After an unusually warm and summery start to the week, Seattle returned to its natural cool, gray and wet form, with potential thunderstorms in the forecast Saturday teasing a dramatic conclusion.

Rain showers were expected to pick up with a very cold air loft coming in on Friday afternoon, destabilizing the atmosphere, said National Weather Service meteorologist Dana Felton.

That's where we're going to get thunderstorms, which could bring with them heavy downpours, small hail and, of course, lightning.

"It's not a good day to be out on the lake in your boat," Felton said.

Mountains could see some snow, with a couple inches expected at Stevens Pass and 4 to 8 inches predicted for Paradise on Mount Rainier.

Aside from the thunderstorms, showers are expected to dampen the region. We're looking at less than a tenth of an inch on Saturday.

Temperatures will also be below average for this time of year, which is about 66, Felton said. Saturday should see a high in the upper 50s.

Chances of showers will end Saturday night, leaving behind a low-level moisture that will carry into Sunday, which you can expect to have a cloudy start, Felton said.

A little sunshine will break through Sunday afternoon and temperatures are expected to breach the 60s.

Next week should bring more dry, somewhat sunny weather, as the temperatures make their climb back into the upper 60s by midweek.

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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 9:51 AM.