Winter in the Inland Northwest isn’t just a season. Honestly, it’s a personality trait. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know that the 15 day forecast Spokane WA provides right now is basically a roadmap for whether you’re digging out your car or just dealing with gray, bone-chilling mist.
As of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, we are sitting in a weird pocket of "spring-like" warmth that feels almost illegal for January. But don't let the 50-degree highs today fool you. The atmosphere is about to pull a massive U-turn.
The Current Setup: Fog and False Hope
Right now, the National Weather Service in Spokane is tracking a high-pressure ridge parked along the West Coast. This is why it’s 51°F today. It’s pleasant, sure, but it’s creating a "stagnant" environment. Basically, the air isn't moving.
When the air sits still in a valley like ours, we get the dreaded Inland Northwest inversion.
Expect dense freezing fog to become a major player starting Wednesday morning. If you’re commuting on I-90 toward Coeur d'Alene or heading west toward Cheney, you’re going to be driving through a literal cloud. Visibility will drop to near zero in patches.
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15 Day Forecast Spokane WA: The Timeline of the Drop
We are looking at a sliding scale of "chilly" to "absolutely frozen" over the next two weeks. Here is how the breakdown looks from a meteorological perspective:
Days 1-5: The Slow Slide (Jan 13 - Jan 17)
The warmth peaks today. Tomorrow, Wednesday, we drop to 48°F. By Friday, the high won't even crack 36°F. It’s a dry transition at first, but the humidity is sitting at 93%. That "wet cold" is the kind that gets into your joints. You'll want the heavy wool socks by Friday night.
Days 6-10: The Arrival of Real Winter (Jan 18 - Jan 22)
This is where things get spicy. A low-pressure system is expected to push across the region mid-week next week. We are looking at a 40% chance of actual, accumulating snow by Thursday, Jan 22. Temperatures will struggle to stay at 30°F during the day.
Days 11-15: The Polar Punch (Jan 23 - Jan 28)
Brace yourself. Data from the 15 day forecast Spokane WA models suggests a significant arctic intrusion toward the end of next week. By Friday, Jan 23, the high is projected to be a measly 14°F.
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The low? Somewhere around -3°F.
This isn't just "jacket weather." This is "check your pipes and don't leave the dog outside" weather. Historically, mid-to-late January is the statistically coldest part of the year for Spokane, and 2026 is living up to the reputation.
The La Niña Factor: Why It’s Not a "Snowpocalypse" (Yet)
You might have heard that we are in a La Niña year. Usually, that means "colder and wetter" for Washington. But this year’s La Niña is weak and, frankly, dying.
Meteorologists at the Washington State Climate Office are noting that ENSO-neutral conditions are likely to return by February. What does that mean for your backyard? It means we aren't seeing a single, massive 20-inch storm. Instead, we’re getting "nickel-and-dime" snow.
A few inches here. A dusting there.
It adds up, but it doesn’t necessarily shut the city down. The bigger threat in this 15-day window is the ice. With highs hovering right around 32°F next Wednesday and Thursday, we are in the prime "freeze-thaw" zone.
Roads will be deceptive.
Survival Tips for the 15-Day Outlook
Since we know the deep freeze is coming after Jan 20, you have about a week of "manageable" weather to get your life in order.
- Check your anti-freeze: If your car hasn't had a winter check-up, do it before the -3°F lows hit on the 23rd.
- Clear the drains: We have some light rain and melting happening today and tomorrow. If your street drains are blocked by old ice or leaves, your driveway is going to become a skating rink when it hits 20°F this weekend.
- Humidifiers are your friend: With the arctic air comes zero humidity. Your skin and your houseplants will hate it.
- Stock the salt: Don't wait until next Thursday to buy de-icer. Every Home Depot and Ace Hardware in the Valley will be sold out by then.
Spokane weather is notoriously fickle, but the models are in high agreement about this upcoming cold snap. We’ve had a "soft" winter so far in 2026, but the bill is coming due.
Prepare for the inversion fog this week, keep an eye on the snow potential for the 22nd, and make sure your heavy coat is clean and ready for the sub-zero wind chills following the 23rd.
Staying ahead of the 15 day forecast Spokane WA isn't just about knowing if it's going to rain; it's about not getting caught off guard when the Inland Northwest decides to remind us who is actually in charge. Take advantage of these 40-degree afternoons while they last, because the deep freeze is officially on the horizon.