You’ve heard the jokes. Seattle is just one big, gray puddle from October to May, right? Honestly, if you looked out the window this Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, you’d see a completely different story. It’s clear. It’s crisp. The temperature is hovering at a chilly 42°F, and the north wind is barely a whisper at 4 mph.
But don't let the sunshine fool you into thinking spring came early.
The seattle weather for the next week is shaping up to be a classic Pacific Northwest atmospheric chess match. We have a massive, stable ridge of high pressure sitting over us, acting like a giant umbrella against the usual storms. This means we're trading the "Big Dark" rain for something a bit more interesting: bright sun, freezing nights, and the kind of morning fog that makes the Space Needle look like it’s floating in a bowl of milk.
The Dry Spell: Why You Shouldn't Put Away Your Sunglasses
Most people assume a January forecast in Seattle means 100% chance of "gloom." Not this week. Monday, January 19, is actually looking like the winner of the week with a high of 51°F. That’s basically a heatwave for January. It’ll be sunny all day before some clouds start creeping in at night.
If you're planning a walk at Discovery Park or a trip to Pike Place, Monday is your window. Just remember the low will drop to 36°F once the sun dips.
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Tuesday stays dry but gets a bit moodier. The high drops back to 47°F and the clouds settle in. It’s that typical "Seattle gray" but without the actual water falling from the sky. Humidity is going to be high—around 83%—so even though it isn't raining, that damp cold is going to bite right through a light jacket.
Mid-Week Reality Check
By Wednesday, January 21, the sun makes a comeback. We’re looking at a high of 45°F and a low of 33°F. This is where the National Weather Service (NWS) starts talking about "patchy shallow fog."
Because the air is so still—winds are only around 3 mph—all that moisture from the Sound just sits there. If you’re commuting on I-5 early Wednesday or Thursday, give yourself extra time. Visibility is going to be a mess in the low-lying areas.
- Thursday, Jan 22: High 43°F / Low 32°F (Sunny)
- Friday, Jan 23: High 41°F / Low 32°F (Partly Sunny)
- Saturday, Jan 24: High 41°F / Low 33°F (Mostly Cloudy)
The Friday Curveball: Is That Snow?
Here is the part that usually sends Seattle into a grocery store panic. Friday, January 23, shows a 10% chance of snow during the day.
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Let's be real: 10% isn't exactly a blizzard.
However, the temperature is dropping. We’re looking at a daytime high of only 41°F. In Seattle, that’s right on the "convergence zone" edge where a few flakes might mix in with the mist, especially if you’re up in Shoreline or out toward North Bend. By Friday night, it transitions back to a light rain as the low stays right at freezing (32°F).
The moisture is slowly returning to the region as that high-pressure ridge begins to flatten. By Sunday, January 25, the chance of rain bumps up to 20% and the clouds become a permanent fixture again.
Survival Tactics for the Week Ahead
This isn't "raincoat weather"—it's "layering weather."
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Since we’re seeing a 15-to-20-degree swing between the afternoon sun and the midnight freeze, a heavy parka will make you sweat at 2:00 PM, but a light windbreaker will leave you shivering by 5:00 PM.
Also, watch your plants. With lows hitting 32°F and 33°F several nights in a row, those potted succulents you left on the patio are going to struggle. The humidity is consistently above 80%, so while the ground might look dry, everything will have a layer of frost or dew that doesn't evaporate until noon.
Actionable Next Steps for Seattleites
- Check your tires: Cold air drops tire pressure. With temps hitting freezing this week, that "low pressure" light is probably going to pop on.
- Clean your windshield: The morning fog and frost combo on Wednesday and Thursday will be thick. Make sure your wiper fluid is rated for freezing temps.
- Sunscreen (Seriously): With three "sunny" days in the forecast and a UV index of 1, it’s not going to burn you, but the glare off the water and glass buildings downtown is intense during these low-angle winter sunsets.
- Plan your outdoor errands for Monday: It is statistically the warmest and clearest day of the next seven.
The seattle weather for the next week is a rare gift of dry air and blue skies. Enjoy the vitamin D while it lasts, because by next Sunday, the classic Northwest drizzle is planning its return.