Cold temperatures, dry weather arrive in Western Washington for the MLK Jr. holiday weekend

WASHINGTON STATE — As Western Washington welcomes the long holiday weekend, cold temperatures will follow and stay next week.

A cold weather pattern is settling in and will linger in the region through midweek.

It has been an unusually dry January in Western Washington. A strong ridge of high pressure along the West Coast steers storms out of the way.

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In a normal year, Sea-Tac Airport receives about 5.7″ of rain. More than halfway through the month of January, Sea-Tac Airport has measured 1.04″ in its rain gauges.

This pattern in the atmosphere allows an arctic air mass to enter from the north. This arctic air mass will affect more than two-thirds of the country. Much of the lower 48 will experience temperatures 10-30 below normal.

Light winds from the northeast will bring some of the cool air into the Pacific Northwest. Low temperatures across the region will drop to 27-30 degrees. Day temperatures will be 40-42.

These high/low temperatures are expected to grip Western Washington for at least the next 7 days.

This high pressure ridge is typically associated with mostly clear conditions and calm winds. But this also allows sinking air to cool and reach saturation, and fog can develop and make stratus clouds. The fog has difficulty mixing with a little wind and may linger into the early afternoon. With low temperatures hovering in the upper 20s and low 30s, freezing fog and black ice can form. Drive with caution.

Another good reminder – protect pets, pipes and people. Bring outdoor pets inside, cover exposed pipes, and check in on your elderly family, friends and neighbors.

Double check to ensure all portable heaters are used correctly to avoid fire hazards.