Honestly, if you stepped outside in Seattle this morning, you probably did a double-take at the calendar. It's January 18, 2026, and yet the air feels remarkably... polite. We've spent the last couple of weeks hearing about "atmospheric rivers" and "historic flooding" across the state, but right now? Seattle is stuck in a gorgeous, sun-drenched bubble that feels more like a late-March teaser than the heart of winter.
Seattle weather this week is starting off with a rare gift: actual vitamin D. While the mountains are begging for more powder to satisfy the local ski bums, the lowlands are currently enjoying a stretch of dry, tranquil weather that is frankly unheard of for this time of year. But don’t go packing away your Gore-Tex just yet. The Pacific Northwest is a fickle beast, and the forecast for the next seven days shows a slow, soggy slide back into our usual gray reality.
The "Sun repeat" through Tuesday
If you’re reading this on Sunday, you’ve probably already noticed the clear skies. The current temp is sitting at a crisp 36°F with a northeast wind that’s barely a whisper at 4 mph. It’s cold, sure, but it’s that dry, sharp cold that makes a hot coffee feel like a religious experience.
Monday is looking even better. We’re aiming for a high of 51°F. That is nearly six degrees above our seasonal average. You’ll see plenty of people out on the trails or walking around Green Lake in light hoodies, pretending the rain is gone for good. Enjoy it. These "sunny repeats" are powered by a ridge of high pressure that is acting like a temporary shield against the usual North Pacific storm track.
By Tuesday, we start to see the first cracks in the armor. Mostly cloudy skies will move in, and that high temperature will dip back down to 47°F. It’s the "transitional" day—the deep breath before the plunge.
Why the rain is taking its sweet time
You might be wondering why we aren't getting hammered with the usual January deluges. A big part of the story this year is the weak La Niña that’s been hanging around. Usually, La Niña means colder and wetter, but this cycle is a bit of a "wild card." Experts from the Climate Prediction Center have been tracking a transition toward ENSO-neutral conditions, which basically means the atmosphere is a bit confused.
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Instead of a consistent conveyor belt of storms, we’re getting these long pauses. It’s great for getting your roof repaired—shoutout to the crews working in this dry window—but it’s a bit of a tease for anyone hoping for a real winter wonderland.
The mid-week shift to gray
Wednesday and Thursday are when the typical Seattle vibe returns. We aren't looking at "big" storms, but rather that persistent, high-humidity cloud cover that turns the sky into a Tupperware lid.
- Wednesday: Cloudy with a high of 45°F. Wind stays light, coming from the north at 3 mph.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Humidity jumps up to 91%. You’ll feel the dampness in your bones, even if it isn't actively raining yet. Highs drop to 43°F.
The weekend washout: Friday through Sunday
The dry spell officially breaks on Friday, January 23. This is when the Pacific finally wins the tug-of-war. We’re looking at light rain starting Friday morning and continuing through the weekend.
Saturday, January 24, looks like the gloomiest day of the bunch. The high will only reach 41°F, and we’ll have a 25% chance of steady light rain. The wind will also kick up a bit, shifting to the southwest at about 8 mph. It’s the kind of day where the "Seattle Mist" becomes a permanent fixture on your windshield.
By next Sunday, January 25, the temps climb back up slightly to 45°F, but the rain sticks around. If you have outdoor plans, you’re basically looking at a narrow window between now and Tuesday night to get them done without a raincoat.
Actionable steps for the week ahead
Don't let the Monday sun fool you into complacency. Here is how to actually handle this week's forecast:
- Gutter Check: Since it's dry through Tuesday, take twenty minutes to clear out any leftover fall debris. When the rain returns on Friday, you don't want your house wearing a waterfall.
- Car Maintenance: Check your wiper blades now. They’ve likely sat idle during this dry spell, and you don’t want to find out they’re streaky when you’re driving home in the dark on Friday night.
- Vitamin D: Seriously. Go outside on Monday or Tuesday. The UV index is only a 1, but the psychological benefit of seeing the sun in January is immeasurable before the weekend gray-out begins.
- Watch the passes: While the city stays in the 40s and 50s, the mountain passes are still dealing with freezing levels. If you're heading east, check the WSDOT cams before you go; the transition from lowland rain to mountain snow will be sharp this weekend.
The "fake spring" of early 2026 is a nice break, but the rain always finds its way back to the Sound. Plan your hikes for tomorrow—your couch will be waiting for you by Friday.