Despite a wetter-than-average December, Seattle will finish the year short of its normal annual precipitation.
Purple rays of light accentuated the Space Needle Monday morning, piercing through heavy fog to give drivers into Seattle a preview of the city’s New Year’s Eve light and fireworks show.
Fortunately, the city is in for dry conditions just in time for the celebrations after a wetter-than-normal December. The fog that settled in parts of Puget Sound Monday should clear up by midday.
Most Read Local Stories
Seattle will see the sun on Monday, with some cloud coverage expected in the evening, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). If you’re watching fireworks, the cloud coverage likely won’t obstruct your view, said meteorologist Samantha Borth with NWS Seattle. Tuesday should be partly sunny, with some more clouds in the skies. Temperatures for both days will reach the mid-40s, and lows at night near the mid-30s.
A dense fog advisory was issued Monday from 9:15 a.m. to noon for Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue, according to NWS. The dense fog created hazardous driving conditions and affected visibility along Interstate 5 and Interstate 405, according to NWS.
The rain will hold off until just after the new year and is expected to return Wednesday evening, and continue for much of the first week of the year.
December has been slightly wetter than average, thanks to the rainfall in the past three weeks. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport saw a monthly total of 6.1 inches of rain, compared with a December average of 5.4 inches, according to NWS. That brings the year’s total to about 35.7 inches, almost two inches below normal.
For those celebrating New Year’s Eve in downtown Seattle, King County Metro is offering free rides for the second year, with some extended service hours. On New Year’s Day, buses will run on a Sunday schedule and on-street parking payment will not be required.
The Space Needle fireworks show will start at midnight, and Seattle residents have lots of options for ringing in the new year. Fireworks are banned in Seattle, but allowed in some other areas of the county. For specific regulations, see Washington State Patrol’s list of restricted firework sales and use.