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Finally: Northwest weather can spark jealousy

While the Pacific Northwest was bathed in warmth and sunshine today — the fourth nice weekend in a row — much of the East Coast was hammered by torrential rain and frigid winds, even snow.

Puget Sound is expected to reach the low 70s this evening, the warmest day so far this year, but Monday will likely be a little cooler, cloudier and possibly wet by late afternoon. After Wednesday, high temperatures will hover in the upper 50s.

In contrast, the East Coast is bracing for an even worse week as gusty storms continue to disrupt public events. Professional baseball games were canceled today in New York and Washington. Even an Earth Day celebration was canceled at a park in Virginia Beach, Va.

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Sunday to be warmest so far this year

It won’t be a record-setter, but Sunday is expected to be unseasonably warm and one of those get-outside-and-enjoy-it days.

The National Weather Service predicts a high of 73 degrees — the warmest day of the year so far. That’s about 14 degrees above normal for mid-April, said meteorologist Johnny Burg.

But keep this in mind if you head down to the water, he added: River and creek temperatures are still in the 30s or 40s, so don’t get too excited and jump in. That can be dangerous.

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Sunday’s 70-degree temperature a record

Today was the warmest April 8 ever recorded in Seattle, reaching 70 degrees at both Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the National Weather Service at Seattle’s Magnuson Park.

The old mark was 69 degrees in 1996.

Last year, Seattle hit the 70 mark very late — on May 20. The latest 70-degree onset recorded was May 23, 2003.

Remarkably, today’s warmth arrived not long after frost formed on some Seattle houses and cars yesterday morning. The fast-changing temperatures happened because of a mostly clear sky and dry air being pushed toward Seattle from eastern Washington.

This pattern will continue tomorrow, but highs will reach only into the 60s, said Gary Schneider, a Weather Service meteorologist.

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Weekend forecast: sun Saturday less on Sunday

If you think April has gotten off to a chilly start, you’re right, said Dennis D’Amico, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle.

Though Monday was a warm 62 degrees and sunny, temperatures have remained below normal this week. In some areas outside the city, nighttime lows are still hovering around freezing, D’Amico said. And even Friday’s blast of sunshine wasn’t enough to get us to normal temperatures for this time of year: It was 52 degrees at 4 p.m., 5 degrees lower than normal.

Rainfall, though, has been within normal range.

But Saturday’s mostly sunny conditions are expected to take the mercury up to 60 degrees in the afternoon, which is slightly above normal, D’Amico said.

While it won’t feel like summer just yet, “it’s looking like a nice spring weekend,” he said.

If you’re thinking about taking the boat out for an early spring sail, be aware that a gale warning is in effect Saturday at the west entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and along the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula, D’Amico said.

With a system moving up from the California coast, Sunday should still be dry for Easter egg hunts, but there will be increasing cloud coverage in the Seattle area, with rain possible in the Olympics and along the coast, D’Amico said.

“Saturday is definitely your best day to get out. On Sunday, we hope to keep the dry forecast going,” he said.

Come Monday, the chance of showers returns.

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In the Cascades: Snow and more snow

Snow: It just keeps coming down in the Cascade Mountains.

The folks at the Crystal Mountain ski area say 12 feet of snow has fallen there so far in March – more than any other month this season, and more than fell in November and December combined.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued the latest winter storm warning for the west slopes of the Cascades, with another one to two feet of snow expected in the passes by 6 p.m. today.

At midday, it was snowing in the major mountain passes.  Traction tires were required on Stevens Pass and recommended on Snoqualmie Pass. Check for updates from the state Transportation Department.  Snowfall is expected to continue, but taper off, through the weekend.

At Mount Baker Ski Area, more than 14 feet of March snow had fallen by last weekend, and snow continued this week.  As of 10 a.m. today,  more than 17 inches of snow had fallen in the previous 24 hours.

The snowfall at Crystal has now passed the 500-inch mark for the season, and is continuing to climb. Strong winds were reported at the summit this morning.

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Spring is here! Share your Instagram photos

The start of spring in Seattle brought clouds and scattered showers, some mixed with snow. But the first weekend of spring is expected to bring some sunshine, with a forecast that calls for sunny skies and temperatures that hit the 50s on Friday. A sunny Saturday is also expected, with a high near 56, according to the National Weather Service.

How are you enjoying the first weekend of spring? Share your photos through the iPhone app Instagram by tagging them with the hashtag #springinseattle. If you want to tag a photo you’ve already uploaded to Instagram, just include the hashtag in a comment on your photo. We’ll publish some of our favorites in this blog. If you share your photo with us, it means you give us permission to use your photo on our web site and/or other social networks.

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Winter's last weekend brings snow to Seattle area

Snow flurries in downtown Burien descend, but not from the mountain in the background, which is a mural on the Burien Park & Ride garage. (Photo by Alan Berner / The Seattle Times)

Snow showers moved through the Seattle area Saturday morning, but the National Weather Service said it probably wouldn’t last beyond noon and it wouldn’t stick.

Johnny Burg, meteorologist, said about 1 inch of snow could accumulate at elevations above 500 feet, but with a mid-morning temperature in Seattle of 37 degrees, he said the snow wouldn’t last.

A convergence zone moving north and northeast over the city will likely bring isolated rain showers and showers mixed with snow through the afternoon, he said.

The weather overnight is expected to be mostly cloudy with scattered showers, some mixed with snow, and temperatures in the mid-30s.

By the way, Tuesday is the start of spring.

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Winter’s last weekend brings snow to Seattle area

Snow flurries in downtown Burien descend, but not from the mountain in the background, which is a mural on the Burien Park & Ride garage. (Photo by Alan Berner / The Seattle Times)

Snow showers moved through the Seattle area Saturday morning, but the National Weather Service said it probably wouldn’t last beyond noon and it wouldn’t stick.

Johnny Burg, meteorologist, said about 1 inch of snow could accumulate at elevations above 500 feet, but with a mid-morning temperature in Seattle of 37 degrees, he said the snow wouldn’t last.

A convergence zone moving north and northeast over the city will likely bring isolated rain showers and showers mixed with snow through the afternoon, he said.

The weather overnight is expected to be mostly cloudy with scattered showers, some mixed with snow, and temperatures in the mid-30s.

By the way, Tuesday is the start of spring.

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Rain, rain and more of the same

It was umbrellas on parade along South King Street in Seattle's Chinatown-International District earlier today. Showers are in the forecast for tomorrow and Saturday. Might rain Sunday, too. You never know around here. (Photo by Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)

We’re in for a lot of rain throughout the day today and showers are forecast for tomorrow and Saturday.

Sunday is expected to be mostly cloudy.

We also said it might be partly sunny Monday, but that is no longer in the cards, we’re afraid.

In fact, rain or showers are forecast through at least next Wednesday. OK, maybe not Sunday.

Check out the National Weather Service site for the details.

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Rain, rain, won't go away

Rain, rain, showers, wind and more rain are in the forecast for the next couple days and through the weekend.

Then, next week , a new weather system will move in, bringing — get ready –  rain!

National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Burke said a wind advisory would be in effect along the coast and north interior from midnight Wednesday to 2 p.m. on Thursday. That will affect areas such as Forks, Quileute, Bellingham and Friday Harbor, he said.

Thursday in the Seattle area is expected to be slightly warmer with highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s, but still wet with a forecast calling for rain and showers, he said.

Friday looks to be the best day this week, he said, with only ”a chance of showers,” but on Saturday “showers are likely.”

Sunday is forecast to be cloudy with a chance for showers, Burke said.

Burke said there is no immediate forecast for more snow, which fell in the Hood Canal area on Wednesday. Some areas reported as much as 4 inches accumulation, he said.

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