Seattle, Washington – A colder late-winter pattern is expected to take hold across Washington heading into early March, increasing the probability of below-average temperatures and a greater opportunity for snow during the Feb. 28 through Mar. 13 timeframe.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, Washington carries a 40% to 50% probability of below-normal temperatures in the Week 3-4 outlook. The colder signal spans the Interstate 5 corridor from Bellingham through Seattle and Tacoma to Vancouver, and extends east along Interstate 90 into Spokane and the Inland Northwest.
This extended-range guidance favors a more amplified trough pattern over the Pacific Northwest, supporting cooler air masses settling into the region compared to late-February standards. That setup increases the likelihood of lower snow levels, particularly across the Cascades and potentially into some western Washington lowland areas during stronger systems.
Precipitation probabilities lean near to slightly above normal across parts of the state. When combined with colder air, that raises the potential for accumulating mountain snow along the I-90 and US-2 passes and a higher-than-average chance of measurable snowfall in interior valleys.
Communities from Seattle and Everett to Yakima and Spokane fall within this colder signal. The Week 3-4 outlook reflects broad atmospheric trends rather than specific storm timing.
Additional refinements are expected as the late-February to mid-March window approaches and shorter-range guidance provides greater clarity on individual systems.
