Weather
Washington Thanksgiving Travel Weather: Seattle Storms Nov. 18–24?
Seattle, WA – Thanksgiving travelers across Washington could face an increasingly unsettled weather pattern as precipitation chances rise heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about heavy rain
By Erin Vale · 2026-11-11T08:42:31.210Z
Seattle, WA – Thanksgiving travelers across Washington could face an increasingly unsettled weather pattern as precipitation chances rise heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about heavy rain, mountain snow, freezing rain and potentially icy highways during the busy holiday travel period.
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, its November 10 outlook favors above normal precipitation across portions of Washington and the western United States from Wednesday, November 18, through Tuesday, November 24.
The broader precipitation outlook highlights a wetter pattern extending from the Pacific Northwest into the Great Basin and central Plains, bringing attention to possible Pacific storm systems and winter weather impacts across Washington.
Seattle, Bellevue and the Puget Sound Region Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Lynnwood, Renton and surrounding communities could experience periods of unsettled weather during the preholiday travel window.
Travelers along Interstate 5, Interstate 405 and Interstate 90 should monitor forecasts for heavier rainfall, reduced visibility and slick highway conditions.
Snow or freezing precipitation could become concerns if colder air reaches lower elevations, although rain remains an important possibility.
Tacoma, Olympia and Southwestern Washington Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Olympia, Lacey and surrounding communities could also experience periods of rain as Pacific weather systems potentially move inland.
Interstate 5 and U.S. Highway 101 will be important corridors to monitor as Thanksgiving traffic increases.
Spokane, Coeur d'Alene Region and Eastern Washington Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Liberty Lake and nearby eastern Washington communities could face changing precipitation conditions.
Snow, sleet or freezing rain could become concerns if colder temperatures overlap with precipitation, particularly along Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 2.
Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass and the Cascades Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, White Pass and surrounding Cascade mountain communities warrant particular attention for possible accumulating snowfall.
High elevation travel corridors, including Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 12, could experience winter driving hazards if storms develop.
Yakima, Wenatchee and Central Washington Yakima, Ellensburg, Wenatchee and Moses Lake could experience periods of unsettled weather during November 18–24.
Rain, snow or mixed precipitation would depend on temperatures, elevation and the tracks of developing weather systems.
Thanksgiving Travel: Could Winter Storms Develop? The precipitation outlook arrives ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, raising questions about possible winter travel disruptions across Washington.
Heavy rain and mountain snow are important concerns to monitor, particularly along the Cascades and major cross state highways.
Freezing rain could also become a concern in colder valleys or mountain corridors if temperatures support ice formation.
However, NOAA's November 18–24 outlook measures the probability of above normal precipitation, not the likelihood of a specific snowstorm, ice storm or highway closure.
Washington travelers should monitor updated forecasts for Pacific storm development, snowfall elevations, mountain pass conditions and potential highway impacts as Thanksgiving approaches.