EVERETT — Western Washington will get an early taste of spring — or maybe summer — this weekend.
Temperatures are expected to climb to 70 degrees in many parts of Snohomish County.
In Everett, temperatures were expected to reach 62 degrees Friday and 71 by Saturday, with highs hovering around 70 on Sunday. Farther east in Darrington, temperatures were predicted to hit 67 on Friday and also 70 by Saturday.
These would be record temperatures for Everett, said National Weather Service meteorologist Harrison Rademacher.
The record high for March 15 in Everett is 61 degrees, set in 2010. For March 16, the record high is 62, set in 2007, Rademacher said.
Usually at this time of year, Western Washington has temperatures in the low to mid-50s and doesn’t touch 70 until May or June.
It’s uncommon for warm weather to spike so high over the span of a couple days here in March, Rademacher said. Leading up to the warm wave, highs will be in the 50s. And over the past three years, temperatures ranged from the high 40s to the low 50s at this time in Everett.
Meteorologists aren’t concerned about local rivers flooding this week, Rademacher said.
An upper-level ridge, or an area of high atmospheric pressure, is traveling over Puget Sound from the Pacific Ocean. The longer it lingers above the region, the warmer it will get. The ridge will likely keep moisture out of the area through at least Monday. Then, it’s back to regular spring programming.
Next week, temperatures are expected to drop back down to the low 60s and high 50s in Everett, with slight chances of rain.
This weekend, hikers should expect crowds at popular trails.
On Instagram, the state Department of Natural Resources noted recreationists should practice trail etiquette, allowing uphill hikers the right-of-way. And the DNR wrote in all caps: “WEAR SUNSCREEN.”
Ahead of this weekend, “quite a few more mountain bikers” have visited Bicycle Centres of Everett on Evergreen Way, owner Devin Ryan said Wednesday afternoon.
Last month, mountain snowpack levels in the Cascade Mountains were roughly 60% of normal. Little snowfall over the past several months has led to a “snow drought” in much of the Pacific Northwest.
Still, locals witnessed several avalanches this month in Stevens Pass, where snowpack was at 81 inches, or almost 7 feet, as of Wednesday. As temperatures trend up this week, the National Weather Service advised locals to be aware of avalanche warning signs, like when cracks form in the snow or the ground feels hollow.
Ta’Leah Van Sistine: 425-339-3460; taleah.vansistine@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @TaLeahRoseV.
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