In Seattle there’s a lull after the deluge—but it may not last long. In sports, the Seattle team could pull off an upset in the NIT matchup against Auburn. MLS club Seattle Sounders are awaiting the return of star forward Jordan Morris.
Seattle weather forecast: a lull after the deluge, but not for long
After several days of heavy rain brought by an atmospheric river, western Washington finally saw an improvement in conditions. Sunday provided a welcome break, and according to meteorologists, calm and dry weather should hold into the start of the week before a new storm returns.
As FOX 13 Seattle reports, a high-pressure area stabilizing the atmosphere has helped river levels start to recede. Although flood warnings remained Sunday morning for the Snohomish and Cedar rivers, the flooding was characterized as minor, and by Monday the threat of inundation should be gone. That’s good news for residents in hard-hit communities such as Snohomish and Renton. Monday night will be cool with variable cloudiness, and Seattle temperatures will fall to around 37 degrees Fahrenheit (about +3°C). Monday itself is expected to be mostly cloudy but dry—a quiet respite before the next round of bad weather.
However, the lull will be short-lived. Rain and stronger winds return Tuesday as a low-pressure cyclone approaches. Depending on its exact track, gusts could exceed 40 mph (about 64 km/h) in especially wind-prone areas. Rain is also likely in the mountain passes, and with colder air arriving Tuesday night into Wednesday, light snow is possible at ski resorts. Wednesday will be wet with occasional breaks between passing downpours. By Thursday the chances for precipitation decrease, which would be timely for a home game for the Seattle Mariners. The weather should improve again by the end of the week: Friday and Saturday are forecast to be dry and mild with gradual warming. By Saturday daytime highs in parts of western Washington could approach 60°F (about +15.5°C), a pleasant end to a difficult stretch of weather.
NIT matchup preview: Seattle vs. Auburn — are the Tigers ready?
A preview of the second-round National Invitation Tournament (NIT) game between the Seattle Redhawks and the Auburn Tigers, scheduled for March 22, 2026, promises to be tense. Although Auburn is the favorite and is hosting the game, analysts believe that motivated Seattle could not only cover a large spread but also pull off an upset. The key factor in this matchup may be mindset more than raw statistics.
The piece on Covers.com explains in detail why Seattle is in a favorable spot. Auburn, having missed the NCAA tournament in favor of a less-heralded Miami (Ohio), is reportedly disappointed and demotivated about playing in the NIT. That was underscored by an incident in which starter Kishon Murphy unexpectedly missed the team’s first tournament game, effectively taking himself out of contention. By contrast, Seattle arrives with a strong desire to prove itself. During the season the team has beaten squads from major conferences such as Stanford, Washington, and Washington State, and even took powerful Gonzaga to overtime. For them, the NIT is a chance to make a national statement.
Seattle’s chief advantage is its elite defense. The team ranks 15th nationally in defensive efficiency, 6th in forced turnovers, and 14th in blocks, defending effectively both inside and on the perimeter. However, their offense is among the worst in the league by shooting percentage. Paradoxically, Auburn’s defense is even weaker: 224th against two-point shots and a catastrophic 326th against three-pointers. That suggests the game could turn into a string of misses by both sides, which favors Seattle—especially given a large spread of +13.5. Analysts expect Seattle’s tenacious defense to keep the game within that spread.
Context matters: the NIT is the secondary postseason tournament after March Madness. Teams that don’t make the NCAA tournament are invited to the NIT. Like lower-tier bowl games in football, motivation often decides outcomes. Some teams treat it as an opportunity and reward; others see it as bitter disappointment. Auburn appears to be in the latter camp. Seattle coach Chris Victor is focused on practical matters such as logistics for game travel, while Auburn’s new head coach Steven Pearl has bluntly said his players need to “show up and be enthusiastic,” which is not a guarantee in this situation.
Key insights and data back up the prediction. Trends show Auburn has failed to hit its team total “over” in 9 of its last 11 games, signaling offensive struggles. In their first NIT game against South Alabama, the Tigers trailed by as many as six points and led at halftime in only 15 of 34 games this season. That suggests Seattle could lead by halftime and cover the +7.5 first-half spread. The overall game total is also expected to be low (under 146.5 points) because of Seattle’s defensive style and both teams’ inconsistent offenses.
The article’s bottom-line verdict is clear: “Seattle wants to be here. Auburn does not. In March, that is often all you need to predict an upset.” Thus, despite Auburn’s status and home-court advantage, they are at elevated risk. Seattle’s motivation, defensive discipline, and psychological edge could overcome differences in talent and lead either to a surprisingly hard-fought game or an outright upset by the underdog.
Star return: Jordan Morris could help Seattle Sounders against Minnesota
Ahead of an important road match against Minnesota United, Seattle Sounders received encouraging news. The Seattle Times reports that key striker and designated player Jordan Morris has joined the team on the road and could play in the Sunday match. His potential return is especially important given other injuries and the club’s need to rebound from last year’s playoff heartbreak.
Jordan Morris, a veteran with a decade of professional experience, missed several matches with a quadriceps injury suffered in Seattle’s opening game of the season against the Colorado Rapids. Although he was able to walk off the field at the time, recovery took a while. Last week he returned to training and on Saturday participated in a full session. Head coach Brian Schmetzer emphasized he wants Morris back as soon as possible, noting his importance to the team, but said the player will be on a minutes restriction. While Morris was sidelined, replacement Paul Rothrock emerged as one of the season’s surprises: he has four goals and one assist in the last six matches across all competitions, scoring in each of the last three. Nevertheless, Morris’s experience and finishing feel remain invaluable for the Sounders, especially with forward Danny Musovski away on international duty with North Macedonia for World Cup qualifying.
The match against Minnesota is more than just another MLS regular-season game. For the Sounders it’s an opportunity to turn the page after last fall’s dramatic playoff exit. Recall that Seattle’s season ended at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, where the hosts prevailed on penalties. The Sounders did not lose any match in that best-of-three series, but they fell in two post-match shootouts. Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, who missed one of the penalties, said the team is looking forward: “It’s a completely clean slate. The way we fought for results this season is encouraging and exciting right now. It’s a sign of a good team.” Minnesota has changed too: new head coach Cameron Knowles, the departure of MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair to Inter Miami, and defensive problems that saw them concede 11 goals in four matches. The club did, however, sign Colombian playmaker James Rodríguez—formerly of Bayern Munich—who has already debuted in MLS as a substitute in a 6-0 loss to Vancouver.
Seattle’s roster is weakened not only by Musovski’s absence. Defender Yeimar is out about eight weeks with a hamstring tendon injury, partially explaining the recent signing of Antino Lopez from USL affiliate Tacoma Defiance. Lopez already made an impact, clearing the ball off the goal line in a match against San Jose. Midfielder Hassani Dotson will also miss the trip to Minnesota with a concussion; this match would have been significant for him, having spent seven seasons with United before recently returning to his home state. The hosts will be without defender Michael Boxall (lower-body injury). Historically, Seattle has dominated Minnesota in the matchup (15 wins, 3 losses, and 4 draws since 2017), but last year’s playoff result proved that stats aren’t guarantees. Jordan Morris’s possible return, even on a limited minutes basis, could be the trump card the Sounders need to secure a result on a difficult road trip and continue building a new, more successful chapter of the season while leaving bitter memories behind.
