Seattle, WA – After weeks of chilly, unsettled conditions, a milder and wetter pattern is returning to Washington next week. According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook, issued December 1, the Pacific Northwest will see above-normal temperatures and precipitation from December 9 through December 15, bringing a return to typical early-winter rain.
Forecasters say highs will range from the upper 40s to mid-50s west of the Cascades, with lows in the 40s — a noticeable change from the recent Arctic chill gripping much of the nation’s midsection. Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia can expect frequent rain showers, while Spokane and eastern Washington may see periods of mixed precipitation as warmer air pushes in over lingering cold pockets.
NOAA’s data points to an active Pacific jet stream, funneling moisture into the region through mid-December. This will favor on-and-off rain, mountain snow, and occasional gusty winds across the coastal ranges and Cascades.
In sharp contrast, the Midwest and Northeast will remain locked in Arctic air, creating a coast-to-coast divide. For Washington, though, the forecast spells a warmer, wetter week — more umbrellas than snow boots.
