Washington – Brake lights glow red through a gray haze as fog settles into streets and neighborhoods, muting the skyline and shortening sightlines. Across western Washington, dense fog is the main weather story early, with impacts lingering into Thursday and setting the tone ahead of a brighter Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, areas of fog and patchy dense fog persist this morning, especially in low-lying areas and near waterways. Visibility drops below a mile at times, affecting travel across downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay corridors, and stretches of I-5, I-90, and Highway 99. Conditions gradually improve by afternoon as clouds thin.
Temperatures remain steady, with highs near 50 degrees today and Thursday. Winds stay light, allowing fog to reform again late tonight and early Thursday. Some neighborhoods may see fog linger longer, particularly near Puget Sound and inland valleys.
Wednesday night into Thursday morning brings the greatest concern for dense fog. Drivers should slow down, use low beams, and allow extra space between vehicles. To be fair, conditions can change block by block. Pedestrians and cyclists should remain visible and cautious during early travel.
By Thursday afternoon, partial sunshine breaks through. Friday looks brighter and clearer, with sunshine pushing highs into the low 50s and overnight lows dipping near 40. Friday night turns crisp but calm, setting up a dry and sunny Saturday.
The weekend holds steady winter calm. Saturday and Sunday stay mostly sunny, with highs near 50 to 52 degrees and cool nights in the upper 30s. No rain or snow is expected in the short term, though the cool pattern keeps mornings chilly.
Looking ahead to Jan. 19–23, longer-range outlooks suggest temperatures trending near normal, with precipitation chances remaining low for western Washington. Fog remains the primary hazard for now. Are you seeing dense fog where you live, or did skies clear earlier than expected?
Five-Day Outlook for Seattle, WA
• Today: Areas of fog, then cloudy. High near 52.
• Thursday: Patchy dense fog early, partly sunny. High near 50.
• Friday: Sunny. High near 51.
• Saturday: Sunny. High near 52.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 50.
