Spokane, Washington – New long-range federal climate guidance suggests February 2026 may bring near-normal winter precipitation across eastern Washington, with equal chances of rain and snow rather than a dominant snowfall signal.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), eastern Washington is currently classified in an “equal chances” category for February precipitation type. This designation indicates no statistically significant signal favoring either above-normal snowfall or reduced winter precipitation compared to long-term February averages.
Equal chances outlooks reflect uncertainty in storm tracks and temperature patterns. For eastern Washington, this suggests February 2026 could feature a variable mix of snow events, lighter systems, and occasional mixed precipitation depending on timing and the depth of cold air.
Higher elevations, including the Selkirk Mountains, Blue Mountains, and areas near the Idaho border, may still see accumulating snow during colder systems. Lower elevations and valley locations such as the Spokane and Columbia basins are more sensitive to marginal temperature setups, where small shifts can change precipitation from snow to rain or vice versa.
Temperature outlooks for February indicate near-normal conditions across the Inland Northwest. This temperature profile supports alternating cold and milder periods, increasing the likelihood of fluctuating precipitation types rather than persistent winter conditions.
Surrounding regions including Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and western Washington also show neutral precipitation signals, reinforcing uncertainty in how consistently winter patterns will favor snow versus rain across the interior Pacific Northwest.
Commuters, freight operators, agricultural communities, and students across eastern Washington are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as February approaches, when shorter-range outlooks will better clarify storm timing, precipitation type, and travel impacts.
