You’re looking at the Leavenworth 10 day forecast because you want that perfect, snowy Bavarian getaway. Honestly? You might be looking at the wrong numbers. While the current data for Saturday, January 17, 2026, shows a high of 39°F and a low of 25°F with "sunny" skies, anyone who actually lives in Chelan County knows that the "sunny" label in mid-January is a bit of a local joke.
It’s often a choice between "gray and freezing" or "sunny and blindingly icy."
Right now, Leavenworth is sitting in a weird weather pocket. We just came off a historic December atmospheric river that basically wrecked US 2. If you’re planning to drive up this week, the forecast is only half the story. The roads are the real boss.
The Leavenworth 10 Day Forecast Breakdown
If you look at the trajectory from January 17 through January 25, we are seeing a strange dry spell before the sky decides to dump again. Here is what the actual numbers look like, specifically for the town of Leavenworth:
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- Saturday, Jan 17: High of 39°F, Low of 25°F. It’s going to be sunny. Humidity is hanging around 63%, and the wind is a non-existent 3 mph from the southeast.
- Sunday, Jan 18 – Tuesday, Jan 21: Expect more of the same. Highs will hover near 37°F to 39°F, with lows dipping into the mid-20s. This is "safe" weather, but it means the snow on the ground is going to melt during the day and turn into a skating rink at night.
- Wednesday, Jan 21 – Thursday, Jan 22: We start seeing more clouds. Overcast skies move in. No real precip yet, but the "feel" of the town changes from crisp to damp.
- Friday, Jan 23 – Sunday, Jan 25: This is the window to watch. Forecasters like WeatherBug and Time and Date are flagging a 30% to 50% chance of snow. Temperatures will drop back down, with highs barely hitting 28°F by Sunday.
Basically, if you want to avoid the slush, aim for the tail end of the 10-day window. If you want easy driving, the next 72 hours are your best bet.
What the Weather Apps Don't Tell You About Tumwater Canyon
You see "Sunny" and think "Clear Roads." Don't.
As of mid-January 2026, US 2 is still a mess. The WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation) reports that while the highway reopened for limited travel on January 4, the section through Tumwater Canyon remains a nightmare.
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There is a mandatory detour. If you are coming from the west, you aren't taking the scenic route through the canyon. You’re being diverted through Highway 207 (Lake Wenatchee area) and the Chumstick Highway.
The Chumstick is a local county road. It’s narrow. It’s winding. And when the Leavenworth 10 day forecast mentions "sunny" days with "freezing" nights, the Chumstick becomes a ribbon of black ice. WSDOT has strictly prohibited freight traffic on this detour, so at least you won't be stuck behind a semi-truck, but you will be dealing with a lot of frustrated skiers.
Stevens Pass vs. The Village
There is a massive discrepancy between what happens at the Leavenworth Nordic Center (which is currently closed due to pilot car operations) and the Stevens Pass Ski Resort.
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At the pass (elevation 4,061 ft), the 10-day outlook is much colder. While the village of Leavenworth is basking in 39°F sun, the pass is holding steady at a base depth of 43 inches.
If you're heading up for the snow, remember that the resort is currently closing at 4:00 PM daily. No night skiing. This isn't because of the weather—it's because the state-mandated pilot cars on the east side of the pass only run until 6:00 PM. If the resort stayed open later, you'd be trapped on the mountain.
Survival Tips for the Next 10 Days
Don't trust a "sunny" forecast in a valley. The mountains create their own rules.
- The "Freeze-Thaw" Trap: With highs near 40°F, the snow on Front Street is going to turn into puddles by 2:00 PM. By 6:00 PM, those puddles are solid ice. Wear boots with actual grip, or you’ll be doing an accidental backflip in front of the gazebo.
- Check the "Chumstick" Updates: Before you leave, check the KPQ News or WSDOT alerts specifically for the Chumstick Highway detour. Landslides have been an issue there as recently as last week.
- The Fog Factor: When the forecast says "Clear" at night but "Sunny" during the day in Leavenworth, that almost always means valley fog. You might wake up in a white-out that doesn't clear until noon.
The Leavenworth 10 day forecast suggests a beautiful, relatively dry week ahead, but the lingering effects of the December storms mean your travel time will still be 30-60 minutes longer than usual. Pack your patience, keep your tank full, and maybe grab a bratwurst at Munchen Haus while you wait for the detour traffic to die down.
The most actionable thing you can do right now is check the WSDOT mountain pass report exactly two hours before you leave. Conditions at Coles Corner can change in minutes, regardless of what the 10-day trend says.