SPOKANE, Wash. – Low clouds hug the hills this morning, with slick roads and the damp chill of late fall settling over eastern Washington. But the air will turn more active soon — rain returns Thursday, followed by the region’s flirtation with winter air as the weekend approaches.
According to the National Weather Service in Spokane, showers will develop Thursday morning, bringing steady rain and highs near 56°F. Winds remain light, but by Thursday night, gusts could rise to 20 mph as cooler air slides in behind the front. Rain chances climb to 90 percent, with measurable precipitation across much of the Inland Northwest.
By Friday, the system weakens but leaves behind lingering drizzle and patchy fog, keeping highs in the lower 50s. While that may feel typical for mid-November, colder air lurks just over the northern Rockies — and models now hint that snow levels could drop near 4,000 feet by Sunday night. If temperatures dip faster than expected, Spokane could see a brief mix or flurry before dawn Monday, marking the first true sign of the early winter pattern taking shape across the Pacific Northwest.
Saturday brings partial clearing and highs around 54°F, ideal for raking leaves or prepping vehicles for winter travel. By Monday morning, however, expect near-freezing lows and potential frost as the storm’s trailing edge meets drier Arctic air.
As Thanksgiving nears, long-range models show repeated Pacific systems crossing the Northwest — meaning more rain, early snow chances, and temperature swings that could challenge early holiday travelers along I-90 and US-2.
For now, Spokane’s damp calm will soon give way to November’s first true winter tease — a reminder that the season’s chill is closer than it seems.
Five-Day Outlook for Spokane, WA:
Thu: 56/44 – Rain likely; breezy late.
Fri: 53/40 – Light rain; cooler.
Sat: 54/42 – Mostly cloudy; dry breaks.
Sun: 49/37 – Rain develops; snow near 4,000 ft.
Mon: 46/32 – Rain/snow mix early; partly cloudy.
