Scott Sistek 
ECMWF model showing 500mb heights and a big ridge offshore early next week.
Seattle has yet to officially hit 75 degrees this year, but we *might* be looking at our first 80 of the year next week already if everything aligns just right. But even if we miss, our warmest stretch of the year is in the offing just as we flip the calendar to May.
However, for the many here who are more frown than cheer about 80 degrees (me too!) the good news is there are still plenty of cool splotches on the extended forecast.
That includes… now. A weak system that brought a blanket of marine clouds and a little brief drizzle here and there Monday will be the case again Tuesday. There’s even a little low spinning off the northern Coast adding a little to the cloud cover.
From there, it’s a bit of a battle between the sun and marine layer for the rest of the week. But while “the battle” might be of minor interest in the meteorological sense, it won’t make for much interesting changes in your day to day weather impacts. But at least it IS something to write about. Sunshine starts to win the battle Wednesday and Thursday with highs warming to the mid 60s Wednesday and then pushing 70 on Thursday.
Another weak system will move through on Friday doing nothing more than reenergizing the marine layer, so expect some morning clouds Friday and Saturday but some gradual clearing and highs cooling just a little to the mid-upper 60s. We’ve had some wild Opening Day of Boating Seasons in Seattle’s yore, but this year’s version looks about as smooth sailing as you could ask for.
BLAH BLAH BLAH… WHAT ABOUT 80 DEGREES?
There are some signs that a strong ridge of high pressure will build nearby starting Sunday into the start of the next work week. The forecast models as of now are thinking mid-upper 70s for Sunday and then *maybe* 80 for Seattle on Monday. The morning run of the Euro model actually had 80 for its Seattle high for Monday.
Usually when decent warm stretches first appear in the models, they tend to initially underestimate the warming in the longer range. So I’d have to say while confidence in 80 isn’t super high yet, it’s building.
DOES THIS MEAN I CAN LEGIT SKIP WORK ON MONDAY??
You now have the benefit of attempting two avenues with your boss. If the “It’s Star Wars Day” attempt goes off target like a Stormtrooper laser, now you can try to play the “It’s Seattle’s First Official 80 Degree Day of the Year” Card.*
(* Please let me know if either of those work. Asking… for a friend.)
Right now, the “heat” is but a passing blip. It still looks plenty warm on next Tuesday but then cooling temperatures look to return the rest of the week. Rainfall? About as much chance as Alderaan these days.