The Fall Transition Has Begun

 One of the most remarkable aspects of Northwest climate is the rapid fall transition from summerlike conditions to cold and wet between September 1 and November 1.

This is illustrated by the average temperatures at Seattle (below).  

The current temperature forecasts are close to climatology, with no more 90s or 80s.

Climatological precipitation is on a very steep incline up (probability of measurable precipitation is shown below).  By November 1, we are about as wet as we get.

A wet weather system is now right off our coast and will move in tonight and tomorrow (see infrared satellite image for this evening).  Does not look like a summer pattern!

Rain totals through Thursday morning (shown below) will be significant.  Importantly,  precipitation will extend over eastern Washington, where some fires are still smoldering.

The official NOAA 6-10 day forecasts are for cooler-than-normal and wetter-than-normal conditions over the West Coast:

The timing of this cool/wet weather is perfect to facilitate an early end to the serious wildfire season.