Spokane, Washington – A colder, storm-loaded pattern is setting up across Washington as December begins, prompting a December Snow Alert while winter in Spokane turns more active. While it’s too early to determine exactly how many inches of snow could fall, one thing is certain: Washington is positioned for an above-average amount, especially across the Inland Northwest where Pacific systems and Arctic air often collide.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation are favored across eastern Washington through December. According to the National Weather Service in Spokane, this setup supports multiple early-winter storm windows, with strong Pacific waves, Cascade spillover bands, and cold fronts capable of producing accumulating snow across Spokane County, the Palouse, and the northern mountains.
According to WSDOT, travel hazards will likely increase along I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass, Highway 2 near Stevens Pass, and across the Spokane metro when icy bridges and bursts of heavy snow develop before sunrise. Reduced visibility, blowing snow, and rapidly changing conditions may slow the morning and evening commute. Drivers should carry winter kits, keep devices charged, and check pass reports before traveling.
Holiday parades, outdoor markets, and community events across Spokane, Cheney, and Coeur d’Alene (ID border region) may face timing adjustments if storm tracks push close enough to deepen snowfall. Residents should dress in layers, protect outdoor pipes, and prepare for brief outages when wetter snow loads tree limbs.
While exact totals remain uncertain, long-range trends continue to favor a colder, storm-active pattern — raising confidence that Washington is headed for a snowy December and improving the odds of a White Christmas across eastern Washington.
