Weather
Washington Winter Outlook 2026-27: Seattle Faces Warmer Winter
Seattle, WA – Washington's 2026 27 winter outlook points toward a potentially warmer than normal season, with Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane among the communities facing increased odds of above average t
By Grant Holloway · 2026-10-16T16:25:14.586Z
Seattle, WA – Washington's 2026 27 winter outlook points toward a potentially warmer than normal season, with Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane among the communities facing increased odds of above average temperatures as winter approaches.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center, seasonal outlooks issued Thursday, October 15, favor above normal temperatures across Washington from November 2026 through January 2027.
What does NOAA predict for Washington this winter?
The temperature outlook places western Washington, including Seattle and Tacoma, within an area showing approximately 50% to 60% probabilities of above normal temperatures.
Eastern Washington, including Spokane, also favors warmer than normal conditions, although probabilities vary across the region.
The precipitation outlook tells a different story.
Much of Washington falls within NOAA's equal chances category, meaning forecasters do not favor above normal, near normal or below normal precipitation.
This includes much of the Puget Sound region, the Cascade Mountains and eastern Washington.
Could Seattle and Spokane still see snow?
Despite the warmer seasonal outlook, periods of freezing temperatures, mountain snow and winter storms remain possible.
Higher elevations of the Cascades, including Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass, could still experience significant snowfall during individual storms.
However, warmer conditions may influence whether precipitation falls as rain or snow, particularly at lower elevations.
The National Weather Service also indicates very strong El Niño conditions are highly likely to continue into winter.
El Niño can influence Pacific storm tracks and winter temperatures across the northern United States, but individual seasons can vary considerably.
For travelers, changing conditions could affect Interstate 5, Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 2 during winter storms.
Residents should continue monitoring updated forecasts, especially before mountain travel.
NOAA emphasizes that seasonal outlooks represent probabilities rather than guarantees. A warmer than normal winter does not eliminate the possibility of major snowstorms, freezing weather or hazardous travel conditions.