Seattle residents will see a symbolic event on Thursday — the first sunset of the year at 8:00 p.m., marking longer daylight. But the run-up to this spring moment won’t be easy: the Puget Sound region faces a sharp deterioration in weather over the next 24 hours. Meteorologists forecast possible thunderstorms with lightning, small hail, rain, mountain snow and even frost.
The cold weather system that moved into the region already brought heavy rain, wind and snowfall in the Cascades Tuesday evening, especially at the Snoqualmie Pass. On Wednesday, temperatures in Seattle will not rise above 7°C (about 45°F), and there is up to a 30% chance of thunderstorms with lightning and hail during the day and evening, with higher odds along the coast. Thursday morning, ahead of the long-awaited sunset, frost is possible, especially in Seattle’s eastern suburbs. Thursday and Friday will be dry but remain cold.
Improvement begins over the weekend. The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures will climb significantly on Saturday, reaching a comfortable 15–18°C (59–64°F). The sky will be clear and no precipitation is expected, allowing residents to fully enjoy the arrival of spring.
Based on: Seattle weather: First 8 p.m. sunset nears after possible thunderstorms