Several cities across western Washington saw record-breaking warmth on Sunday as temperatures climbed far above the seasonal norm. SeaTac airport reached 81 degrees, marking its first 80-degree day of the year and setting a new high temperature record for the site.
The heat spread across the region as a strengthening ridge of high pressure built over western Washington and British Columbia. A developing thermal low west of the Cascades helped push temperatures into the mid-70s to mid-80s, while the area’s usual seasonal highs sit in the low 60s.
Records fell across Puget Sound and beyond
Some of the warmest readings came from the South Sound, Southwest Interior, and the Cascade foothills and valleys. Places close to Puget Sound stayed a little cooler because of an afternoon sea breeze, but inland locations felt the full impact of the warm air.
Seattle set an all-time record at 81 degrees, topping the previous mark of 77 degrees from 1992. Olympia also broke its record, reaching 85 degrees and passing the earlier high of 82 degrees set in 1944.
Other cities joined the list of record or tied record highs. Bellingham reached 76 degrees, Hoquiam hit 74 degrees, and Quillayute matched its record of 83 degrees.
| Location | Observed High | Previous Record |
|---|---|---|
| SEA Airport | 81 degrees | 77 degrees |
| Olympia | 85 degrees | 82 degrees |
| Bellingham | 76 degrees | 74 degrees |
| Hoquiam | 74 degrees | 73 degrees |
| Quillayute | 83 degrees | 83 degrees |
Heat eases, but inland areas stay warm
Temperatures begin to ease on Monday, though inland communities are still expected to stay warm with highs in the 70s to low 80s. At SEA Airport, the forecast high of 79 degrees is below the May 4 record of 85 degrees, so another record there is not expected.
The warm spell will fade gradually through the week as onshore flow returns. By Thursday and Friday, highs are expected to cool into the mid-60s to low 70s.
Seasonal changes in May
May also brings longer days across the Seattle area, with about 60 to 70 additional minutes of daylight over the month. Sunset times continue to stretch later, with roughly 20 more minutes added every two weeks.
The month is also usually drier than other parts of the year, with Seattle averaging just under 2 inches of rain historically.
