It's been a solid two weeks without rain in Seattle, and as such, a similar stretch of time without fresh snow in the mountains.
It's been a solid two weeks without rain in Seattle, and as such, a similar stretch of time without fresh snow in the mountains. What had started as a promising return to familiar winter weather in early January — enjoying a fresh blast of 2 to 4 feet of snow that helped get the chairlifts running earlier in the month — has turned into a dry spell that is threatening the record books.
Monday marked day 14 in a row for 2026, and if we get all the way through tonight without rain in the gauge, we'll tie that mark. Missing rain in the lowlands translates into missing snow in the mountains, and frankly, our snow pack is looking lean. As of January 27th, the terrain near Snoqualmie Pass only has 40% of its normal snowpack for this time of year.A graphic measuring the mountain snowpack. The massive ridge of high pressure that has been blocking wet weather from entering the region will break down a bit, allowing a weak front to crawl over it and into Washington by Tuesday evening. Rain will kick in near the ocean beaches around sunset, and then will curl around the Olympic Peninsula and into Puget Sound on either side of midnight. If we can count a few drops in the bucket at Sea-Tac before the clock hits 12 a.m., we'll avoid tying that dry streak from the early 1960s, but if not, we'll also make it to 15 dry days in a row in Seattle. The wet weather will make it back to the metro area at times on Wednesday and Thursday, winding down the month with more typical mid-winter fare. Up in the Cascades, this will translate into a very welcome fresh coating of winter white, with one to eight inches of new snow at the ski terrain by the end of the week.Unfortunately, we'll keep warming into the weekend, with a snow level of 5,000 to 6,000 feet by Saturday. Some of the ski areas may see any additional precipitation falling in the liquid rather than the frozen form at this point, but at least the higher terrain will continue to pull down some snow. At this point, we'll take anything we can get! A photo of the Lake Tapps area on Jan. 25, 2026. { }In short: no. After all, we've done this before, as noted by the 1963 record! While we are slowly impacting the climate due to anthropogenic factors such as carbon emissions, seasonal variations are normal. The old saying still stands: "Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get!"Florida AG demands nurse's license revoked after 'vile' TikTok, supporters say free speech Florida’s attorney general wants a nurse’s license revoked over a TikTok about Karoline Leavitt, while supporters argue the backlash is politically motivated.A shooting in North Seattle early this morning has left a 20-year-old man in critical condition, prompting an investigation by Seattle police.Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown have issued a strong condemnation of recent federal immigration enforcement actions.Pierce County Sheriff's Office deputies say a man was wounded in a drive-by shooting in the Midland area.Authorities were dispatched to the 9800 block of
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Woman shot after argument, then shoots suspect’s girlfriend in Northwest Jacksonville, police sayTwo women were shot Sunday night in Northwest Jacksonville, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Read more »
Man found shot to death inside home in Northwest Jacksonville; multiple people detained, JSO saysA man was found shot to death inside a home early Monday in the Moncrief neighborhood, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Read more »
Western WA approaches longest mid-winter dry streak in 60 yearsTed Buehner is a longtime meteorologist expert for the Pacific Northwest.
Read more »
Western Washington Greets First 5 P.M. Sunset and Seattle Faces New ChallengesThe Pacific Northwest sees its first 5 p.m. sunset of the season, marking a seasonal shift. Seattle prepares for a rainy forecast and addresses issues including homelessness, police tensions, and the upcoming World Cup, with Mayor Katie Wilson at the helm. Recent data points to Seattle's success in New Year's resolutions. Stay updated with free local news and weather reports.
Read more »
Tourist Mauled by Snow Leopard in Northwest ChinaA skier was attacked by a snow leopard in Xinjiang, China, after approaching the animal for photos. The tourist is in stable condition. Authorities have increased safety patrols and are urging the public to maintain a safe distance from wildlife.
Read more »
Tens of thousands flee northwest Pakistan over fears of impending military operationMore than 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled a remote region in northwestern Pakistan amid uncertainty over a military operation against the Pakistani Taliban near the Afghan border, authorities say.
Read more »