Honestly, if you’ve lived in the Inland Northwest for more than a week, you know the sky usually looks like a wet wool blanket this time of year. But looking at the weather spokane 15 day outlook for the rest of January 2026, things are feeling a bit... off. Usually, we’re dodging slush puddles or shoveling six inches of "powder" that’s actually just heavy ice, but the current setup is surprisingly quiet.
Right now, Spokane is sitting under a stubborn lid of clouds. As of late last night, the temperature was hovering right at 32°F with humidity so high—93% to be exact—you can almost feel the air sticking to your skin. It’s classic "gray Spokane."
What’s Actually Happening Over the Next Two Weeks?
Basically, we are stuck in a weather pattern that feels like a stalemate. While the mountains are begging for a massive dump of snow to fix the current "snow drought" affecting about 81% of Washington, the city is just getting a lot of fog and stagnation.
If you’re planning your life around the weather spokane 15 day forecast, here is the vibe for the upcoming week:
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- Friday, January 16: We’re looking at a high of 36°F and a low of 26°F. It’s going to stay cloudy, and the wind is barely moving at 2 mph from the north.
- The Weekend (Jan 17-18): This is where it gets interesting. The clouds are supposed to break. Saturday and Sunday are forecasting sunny skies with highs around 36°F and 37°F.
- Early Next Week: Monday and Tuesday (Jan 19-20) bring back the "partly sunny" tease, with highs staying consistent in the mid-30s.
It’s not exactly a winter wonderland. It’s more like a long, refrigerated autumn.
The Air Stagnation Problem
You might have seen the alerts on your phone. There is a serious Air Stagnation Advisory in effect from the afternoon of January 16 through January 20. When the wind dies down to 1 or 2 mph like it has lately, all the wood smoke, car exhaust, and general city gunk just sits there.
This happens because of temperature inversions. Cold air gets trapped on the valley floor while warmer air sits on top like a lid. It’s why the South Hill might be slightly clearer while downtown feels like you’re breathing inside a tailpipe. If you have asthma or just hate the smell of stale fireplace smoke, the next few days are gonna be rough.
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Is the Snow Actually Coming?
Everyone keeps asking when the "real" winter starts. Historically, January in Spokane averages about 18 inches of snow. But so far in 2026, we’ve been seeing more rain and mist than the white stuff.
The weather spokane 15 day data shows a very slight chance of snow showers—only about 10% to 20%—well into next week. The biggest "event" on the horizon isn't until Sunday, January 25, when the chance for snow showers bumps up to 20% overnight with a low of 28°F.
That’s a far cry from the record-breaking winters of 2008 or the wild flooding we saw back in '97. We are currently in a "snow drought." According to the National Weather Service, the Pacific moisture is hitting the coast but losing its punch before it climbs over the Cascades to reach us.
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Nuance: The La Niña Factor
There was all this talk about a La Niña winter. Usually, that means "cold and snowy" for us. But the experts at the Climate Prediction Center noted that this year’s La Niña is weak. It’s transitioning toward "ENSO-neutral," which basically means the weather can’t decide what it wants to do.
So, instead of a blizzard, we get a week of 38°F highs (like we had on Thursday, Jan 15) and "mostly cloudy" nights. It’s frustrating for skiers at Mt. Spokane, but probably great for people who hate de-icing their windshields every morning at 7:00 AM.
How to Survive the Spokane Gloom
Since the forecast is mostly "gray with a side of more gray," you've gotta be proactive.
- Check the AQI: With that air stagnation advisory, the air quality is going to dip. If you see the horizon looking brown/yellow, maybe skip the morning jog.
- Vitamin D is Mandatory: When the weather spokane 15 day outlook says "mostly cloudy" for 10 out of 15 days, your brain starts to miss the sun. Take the supplement. Seriously.
- Watch for Black Ice: Even though it’s not snowing, those 24°F to 28°F lows mean that any mist from the day before is going to turn into a skating rink on I-90 by sunrise.
The most important thing to remember is that Spokane weather is temperamental. A "mostly cloudy" forecast can turn into a surprise three-inch dusting if a cell moves in from the north a little faster than expected.
Next Steps for You
- Monitor the Air Stagnation: Keep an eye on the advisory ending January 20; if it extends, consider keeping your windows shut tight.
- Prep for Jan 25: Since that’s the first real "bump" in precipitation probability (20%), check your snow brush and tire pressure before next weekend.
- Take Advantage of Sunday: If the sun actually comes out on January 18 as predicted, get outside. In a Spokane January, a clear sky is a rare gift you shouldn't waste.