Honestly, if you've lived in the Pacific Northwest for more than a week, you know the "official" forecast is kinda just a suggestion. You wake up in Redmond, look at your phone, and it says 50 degrees and sunny. Then you step outside and realize the microclimate of the Sammamish River Valley has other plans.
Right now, things are looking pretty crisp. As of Saturday night, January 17, 2026, the current redmond wa weather forecast is sitting at a chilly 35°F. It’s clear out there, and the wind is barely a whisper—just 2 mph coming from the southeast.
But don't let the clear skies tonight fool you into thinking winter is packing its bags.
The Reality of the Redmond "January Thaw"
People get weirdly optimistic when they see a string of 50-degree days in January. We're actually in the middle of one of those stretches. Today hit 50°F, and tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, is looking like a carbon copy with a high of 50°F and a low of 32°F.
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It’s sunny. It’s gorgeous. You’ll see people at Marymoor Park in shorts because, for some reason, 50 degrees in Washington feels like 70 degrees anywhere else.
But here is what most people get wrong: they think this means the rainy season is pivoting. Nope. The humidity is still hovering around 93% to 94%. That means when you wake up, you aren't just dealing with cold; you're dealing with that damp, bone-chilling Redmond mist that settles into the valley and refuses to leave until noon.
Why the Cascades Mess With Your Daily Plans
Redmond sits in a weird geographical pocket. We’re close enough to the Cascades that we get the "downslope" effect, but we're also susceptible to the Puget Sound Convergence Zone. Basically, it can be pouring in Bellevue and bone-dry at the Microsoft campus.
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- Monday, Jan 19: Expect more of the same. High of 50°F, low of 31°F. It's perfect for a walk on the Sammamish River Trail, but the night will start getting "partly cloudy."
- Tuesday, Jan 20: The shift starts. We drop a few degrees to 47°F. The clouds start winning.
- Mid-week vibes: Wednesday is looking cloudy with a high of 46°F. By Thursday, the "light rain" returns.
Honestly, the real weather begins next Friday, January 23. We’re looking at a 75% chance of rain with winds picking up to 9 mph. That’s the "classic" Redmond we all know and... well, we tolerate it for the coffee and the tech jobs.
Preparing for the Late Winter Pivot
If you're new to the area, don't trust the sun. It's a lie. One minute you're enjoying a clear afternoon, and the next, a system rolls off the sound and you're soaked.
The wind is currently coming from the northeast at about 2-3 mph, which is keeping things stable and dry for the next 48 hours. But once that wind flips and starts coming from the south—which it will do by next Thursday—the rain is back with a vengeance.
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I’ve seen too many people forget to clear their storm drains during these "dry" spells. Redmond’s drainage system is great, but those leftover autumn leaves love to clog up the grates right before a big Friday downpour.
Actionable Steps for the Next 7 Days
- Check your gutters now. You have until Wednesday before the next real rain hits. Don't be the person with a waterfall over their front door.
- Layering is the only way. Since the mornings are 32°F and the afternoons are 50°F, you need a shell that can handle the humidity without making you sweat through your sweater by 2 PM.
- Fog alerts. With humidity at 94% and clear nights, expect dense morning fog through Monday. Give yourself an extra ten minutes if you're commuting on WA-520.
- Watch the freezing mark. Monday night hits 31°F. If there's any residual moisture on the roads, Tuesday morning could be slick.
The redmond wa weather forecast shows a beautiful window of sunshine through the weekend, but keep the rain boots by the door. The transition back to the standard gray starts Tuesday, and by next weekend, we’ll be back to the usual 42-degree drizzle.
Enjoy the sun while it lasts, Redmond. It's a rare January gift.