Right now, Tacoma looks like a postcard. It’s Saturday, January 17, and if you look out the window, it's basically wall-to-wall sunshine. The temperature is sitting at a crisp 49°F with almost no wind to speak of—just a light 3 mph breeze from the north. Honestly, for mid-January in the South Sound, this feels like we’re getting away with something.
But don’t let the sunglasses fool you.
If you’re tracking the weather 10 day Tacoma outlook, we are currently in the "sweet spot" before the typical Pacific Northwest winter reality settles back in. We’ve got a few more days of this dry, bright stretch, but there’s a shift coming that’s going to turn our "City of Destiny" back into its usual damp self.
The Sunny Streak (Enjoy It While It Lasts)
The first half of this 10-day window is surprisingly stable. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, is actually looking even better than today, with a high of 50°F and more sun. Monday stays dry at 48°F, though you’ll notice the clouds starting to creep in by the evening.
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Here’s the thing: while 50°F sounds decent, the nights are still biting. We’re looking at lows between 34°F and 37°F for the next few nights. If you’ve got outdoor plants that aren't fans of the frost, you’ve still got to keep them covered. The humidity is hovering around 61% to 70%, which means that morning fog is going to be thick, especially near the water or down by the Port.
When the Rain Returns (And Maybe Some Slush)
Basically, Tuesday is when the "dry spell" breaks. We transition to mostly cloudy skies with a high of 47°F. By Wednesday and Thursday, the clouds settle in for the long haul.
Things get interesting—or annoying, depending on your commute—toward the end of the week.
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- Thursday, Jan 22: High of 44°F, with light rain starting in the evening.
- Friday, Jan 23: This is the day to watch. We’ve got a high of 44°F during the day, but the overnight low stays around 37°F with a mix of rain and snow.
- Saturday, Jan 24: Expect a "rain and snow" mix. Usually, in Tacoma, this just means "disappointing slush," but it’s enough to make the I-5 corridor a mess.
It's a classic La Niña setup. We’re seeing these cold shots of air from the north meeting moisture coming off the Pacific. While the mountains are going to get hammered with fresh powder, those of us at sea level are mostly going to be dealing with 42°F rain and maybe some wet flakes that won't actually stick to the pavement.
The 10-Day Breakdown at a Glance
For those who just want the quick numbers without the chatter, here is how the next week and a half is shaping up:
Today (Jan 17) stays sunny at 49°F. Sunday hits the peak of this warm-ish stretch at 50°F. Monday starts the slow slide down to 48°F with nighttime clouds. Tuesday through Thursday, we’re stuck in the mid-40s (47°F down to 44°F) with increasing cloud cover and that 20-45% chance of rain by Thursday night.
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Friday and next Saturday are the outliers. We’re looking at highs of 44°F and 42°F respectively, with the highest chance of precipitation (up to 45%). The "snow" mentioned in the forecast for next Saturday morning is highly dependent on that 38°F low—it's right on the edge. By the following Monday, Jan 26, we’re back to standard light rain and a high of 49°F.
Survival Tips for the Shift
Since we're heading from "sunblock required" to "heavy-duty wipers required," there are a few things you should probably do this weekend while it’s still dry.
First, check your gutters. If you haven't cleared the last of the fall leaves, that Thursday/Friday rain transition is going to cause some pooling. Second, top off your windshield washer fluid. The transition from foggy mornings to slushy afternoons creates that nasty road grime that makes visibility a nightmare on the Narrows Bridge.
Kinda feels like winter finally decided to show up, doesn't it? Enjoy the 50-degree Sunday, because by next weekend, you'll be digging the parka back out of the closet.
Actionable Next Steps
- Seal the Drafts: Use this dry weekend to check weather stripping around your doors before the humidity jumps to 95% on Friday.
- Car Check: Ensure your tires have proper tread for the wet/slushy mix predicted for Jan 23-24.
- Plan Your Commute: If you travel between Tacoma and Seattle, expect Friday night and Saturday morning to be significantly slower due to the rain-snow mix.