The temperature at SeaTac Airport reached 81 degrees for the first time this year on Sunday, breaking a 34-year-old high temperature record.
The combination of strengthening high pressure over western Washington and British Columbia and thermal low pressure developing west of the Cascades sent temperatures across the region rising from the mid 70s to the mid 80s. Temperatures rose well above the seasonal average in the low 60s.
The hottest temperatures were observed in the South Sound, Southwest Interior, and Cascade foothills and valleys. Areas immediately adjacent to Puget Sound remained slightly cooler due to the afternoon sea breeze, but inland locations will see the full impact of the heat.
Seattle broke an all-time record by reaching 81 degrees on Sunday — breaking the previous record of 77 set in 1992. Olympia reached 84 degrees, compared to the record of 82 set in 1944.
Cities that broke or tied record high temperatures on Sunday:
- SEA Airport: Observed – 81 degrees; Record – 77 Degrees (1992)
- Olympia: Observed – 85 degrees; Record – 82 Degrees (1944)
- Bellingham: Observed – 76 degrees; Record – 74 Degrees (1992)
- Hoquiam: Observed – 74 degrees; Record – 73 Degrees (1956)
- Quillayute: Observed – 83 degrees; Record – 83 Degrees (1992)
The heat has started to subside from Monday, although the interior areas will remain hot with highs expected to remain in the 70s to 80s.
At SEA airports, Monday’s high temperature record will likely not be broken. The record high temperature for May 4 is 85 degrees and is forecast to reach only 79 degrees in Seattle.
Temperatures will gradually cool throughout the week as onshore flow returns. High temperatures are expected to cool into the mid 60s to mid 70s by Thursday and Friday.
The month of May will bring an additional 60 to 70 minutes of daylight, as well as about 20 minutes of sunset every two weeks in the Seattle area.
In general, May is a dry month, with Seattle historically averaging just less than 2 inches of rain.
KING 5’s Rich Marriott contributed to this report.
Connected: 5 things to do in the Seattle area this weekend: May 1-3
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