Rain returns Thursday afternoon in Seattle

Seattle weather: Thursday will start dry, with widespread rain in the afternoon

After a warm and dry start to Thursday, widespread rain and breezy winds will hit in the afternoon.

SEATTLE - Thursday will be warm and dry the first half of the day, with widespread rain and breezy winds hitting in the afternoon.

Temperatures will warm quickly on Thursday, with highs topping out in the mid 60s by the early afternoon. Widespread rain will hit the coast in the late morning and quickly sweep into the Puget Sound area in the afternoon. Winds may be breezy at times, gusting 25 to 35 mph. There is a chance of a few isolated thunderstorms in western Whatcom and western Skagit counties this afternoon.

A map showing the high temperatures expected Thursday in Western Washington.

High temperatures will be warmer Thursday, but rain returns by the afternoon. (FOX 13 Seattle)

A map showing the arrival of widespread rain Thursday afternoon.

Widespread rain will return to the Puget Sound area Thursday afternoon. (FOX 13 Seattle)

The front will sweep through around the evening commute and behind it will be scattered on and off showers the rest of Thursday night. A convergence zone could set up in Snohomish and Skagit counties from Thursday night into Friday morning, leading to more steady rainfall overnight there.

A map showing the expected precipitation totals in Washington.

Up to a quarter inch of rain is possible Thursday as a frontal system sweeps through the area. (FOX 13 Seattle)

What's next:

Friday and Saturday will bring light scattered showers with a chance to accumulate a few inches of snow at the Cascade passes. Snow levels will drop to around 2,000 to 3,000 feet on Friday and Saturday.