Washington – Cold air presses down on eastern Washington this morning, glazing windshields and stiffening fingers within seconds. Spokane starts Monday under partly cloudy skies with temperatures near 21 degrees, locking in another hard winter morning.
According to the National Weather Service, calm winds and clear breaks overnight allowed cold air to pool across the Inland Northwest. Morning travel remains mostly dry, but untreated side streets, bridges, and parking lots may hide slick frost. Drivers should slow early, especially near shaded stretches of Division Street and U.S. 2.
Sunshine breaks through by late morning, nudging highs into the low 30s this afternoon. It will feel brisk but manageable for errands and daytime travel. Tonight turns cold again, with lows dipping into the low 20s, keeping freeze conditions firmly in place through Tuesday morning.
Tuesday stays dry and brighter, with highs near 36 degrees. To be fair, the sun helps, but snowpack and frozen ground limit any real thaw. Wednesday brings a slight warmup into the upper 30s, along with increasing clouds as the pattern begins to shift.
Attention then turns to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2026. Clouds thicken Wednesday night, and by Thursday, Spokane faces a chance of rain and snow, especially during evening hours. Temperatures hover near freezing, which raises concern for slushy roads and localized slick spots. Holiday travelers should build extra time into plans, particularly if driving north or east of the city where colder air lingers.
While major winter storms hammer the Midwest and Great Lakes, winter here arrives in quieter waves. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles, followed by light precipitation, often create the most dangerous travel conditions.
Plan ahead for early departures and late returns this week. Keep ice scrapers handy and slow down during cold mornings. How icy did it feel where you live today?
Five Day Outlook for Spokane, Washington
Monday: Partly sunny, high near 33
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, low near 22
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 36
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 38
Thursday: Chance of rain and snow, high near 38
