Honestly, looking at a 30 day weather forecast spokane washington is a bit like trying to predict which way a Spokane River trout is going to jump. You think you’ve got it figured out, and then a random "Pineapple Express" or an Arctic blast from the Okanogan Valley completely flips the script.
If you're planning a trip or just trying to figure out if you'll be shoveling your driveway for the third time this week, the "official" numbers for late January and February 2026 are telling a pretty specific story. Right now, as of January 15, we're sitting in a weird pocket of "mostly cloudy" days with temperatures hovering around $32^{\circ}\text{F}$. It's that classic Inland Northwest grey—not quite freezing, not quite warm, just... damp.
The Reality of the Next 30 Days
We’re currently dealing with a lingering La Niña, though the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is whispering that we might transition to "neutral" conditions by the time March rolls around. What does that mean for your boots? Basically, the next month is likely to be wetter than average.
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The immediate window through late January shows a stubborn trend of highs in the mid-30s to low 40s. Specifically, Saturday, January 17, is looking like a rare winner with a high of $40^{\circ}\text{F}$ and actual sunshine. You've gotta grab those rays while you can because by the time we hit January 25, the chance of snow showers jumps up to 35%.
It's not just about the snow, though.
Inland Northwest winters are famous for Air Stagnation Advisories. We actually have one in effect right now through January 20. When the air sits still in the valley, the fog gets thick—I’m talking "can't see the Monroe Street Bridge from the sidewalk" thick. If you’re driving I-90 toward Coeur d'Alene, that freezing fog is a genuine hazard, especially when the temperature dips to the overnight low of $28^{\circ}\text{F}$ we're seeing tonight.
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Breaking Down the February Outlook
Moving into February, the long-range models from the Farmers' Almanac and the NWS suggest a bit of a temperature spike. We’re looking at an average high of $38^{\circ}\text{F}$, which is actually about $3$ degrees above the historical norm.
- Early February: Expect a "cold snap." This is usually when the Northern Rockies send us a parting gift of frigid air.
- Mid-February: A transition toward rainy periods in the north and potentially more snow in the south.
- Precipitation: We're projected to hit about $2.5$ inches for the month, which is slightly above the usual mark.
If you’re a skier at Mt. Spokane, this is actually great news. While the city deals with slush, the mountain usually keeps its base depth—which averages around 44 inches in January—well into the spring.
Why the "30 Day" Numbers Can Be Deceptive
People see a "30 day weather forecast spokane washington" and think they can plan a wedding or a roof repair down to the hour. You can't. Spokane is tucked between the Cascades and the Rockies, creating a "rain shadow" that makes us much drier than Seattle (we get 17 inches of rain a year vs. their 37), but our mountain proximity makes our snow highly localized.
One neighborhood might get a "dusting," while someone up on South Hill is digging out from six inches.
The biggest misconception? That Spokane is just "always snowy" in the winter. Statistically, we only get about 44-48 inches of snow a year. It feels like more because the cloud cover sticks around 74% of the time in January. It's the "Grey Wall," and it's real.
Tactical Advice for the Month Ahead
If you’re living here or visiting, here is how you actually handle the next 30 days. Forget the fancy fashion; it's all about the "Spokane Tuxedo"—layers.
- Watch the Dew Point: We’re seeing humidity levels near 93-96% right now. That "wet cold" sinks into your bones way faster than a dry $10^{\circ}\text{F}$ day in Montana.
- Fog is the Real Boss: With wind speeds as low as 2-4 mph, the fog isn't going anywhere. Check the WSDOT cameras before heading over any passes.
- The January 17-18 Window: This is your best shot for outdoor activities. The UV index is still basically zero, but the "mostly sunny" forecast is a gift in a month that averages only 5.7 hours of sun a day.
Looking toward late February, the "clearest day of winter" is historically February 22. If the models hold, that’s when the transition to spring patterns starts to peek through the clouds.
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Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the Air Stagnation Advisory ending January 20; until then, expect poor air quality and limited visibility in the city core. If you're heading to the mountains, verify base depths at Mt. Spokane, as the "warm" city temperatures ($40^{\circ}\text{F}$) won't necessarily kill the snowpack at higher elevations where the temperature gradient drops significantly. For daily updates, stick to the NWS Spokane office over generic national apps—the local terrain is too complex for a global algorithm to get right.