Honestly, if you're looking at a standard weather forecast Olympia WA and seeing nothing but gray icons, you’re only getting half the story. Most people think Olympia is just a rainier version of Seattle. That's a mistake. While Seattle gets all the fame for its drizzle, Olympia is the one actually putting in the work. We're talking about a city that consistently ranks as one of the wettest and cloudiest major spots on the West Coast.
Right now, as of early January 17, 2026, things are looking a bit weird—in a good way. The current temperature is sitting at a crisp 36°F under clear night skies. It’s cold, yeah, but that 91% humidity makes it feel like the air is literally clinging to your skin. If you’re heading out, you’ve probably noticed the wind is almost non-existent, just a tiny 3 mph breath coming from the northeast.
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The Weekend Outlook and Why It's "Fake Spring"
You better soak up the sun while it lasts. Today, Saturday, is basically a gift from the weather gods. We're hitting a high of 51°F with total sunshine. Lows will dip back down to 33°F, so don't leave your plants unprotected. Tomorrow follows the same script: high of 51°F, low of 33°F, and plenty of blue sky.
But don't get used to it. This "Fake Spring" is a classic Olympia trap.
By Monday, the clouds start creeping back in. Highs will stay around 49°F, but the low of 32°F means we're dancing right on that freezing line. Tuesday and Wednesday transition into that familiar "partly sunny" to "cloudy" gloom we know so well. Temperatures will slowly slide down, hitting 44°F by mid-week.
What’s Actually Happening with the Rain and Snow?
If you've lived here long enough, you know the "Big Dark" isn't just about rain. It's about the sheer persistence of the gray. According to the current weather forecast Olympia WA, we have a serious shift coming next weekend.
- Thursday, Jan 22: The rain finally makes its comeback. It starts as a light 20% chance at night.
- Friday, Jan 23: High of 43°F with consistent light rain. This is where the 93% humidity really turns into that "shmist"—that shitty mist that ruins your glasses but doesn't quite count as a storm.
- Saturday, Jan 24: This is the one to watch. The forecast is currently calling for snow. We're looking at a 35% chance of snow and snow showers with a high of 44°F and a low of 33°F.
- Sunday, Jan 25: More snow showers possible, with the high dropping to 40°F.
Wait, snow at 44 degrees? In Olympia, absolutely. We get these weird "convergence zone" leftovers and marine pushes that can drop slushy white stuff even when the thermometer says it shouldn't be possible.
The Science of Why Olympia is Different
Why does Olympia get 55 inches of rain a year while Seattle only gets around 38? It’s basically geography. Olympia sits right at the southern tip of the Puget Sound. When those big Pacific systems roll in, they aren't blocked by the Olympic Mountains the same way they are further north. They just funnel right into the South Sound and dump everything they’ve got.
Then there's the fog. Olympia isn't just rainier; it's foggier. We average nearly 80 days of heavy fog a year. Compare that to Seattle's 22. It’s because we’re tucked into a bowl where cold, moist air just loves to sit and fester.
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Is La Niña Still Pulling the Strings?
The 2026 winter season started with a "weak La Niña" advisory. For us, that usually means a higher chance of being colder and wetter than average. While we've had a dry spell this week, the shift toward snow in the late-January forecast tracks perfectly with La Niña patterns. NOAA has been hinting at a transition to "ENSO-neutral" conditions by spring, but for now, the Pacific is still sending us cold, wet reminders of who's in charge.
Survival Tips for the Next 10 Days
Honestly, the biggest mistake you can make right now is trusting the clear skies. Here is how to actually handle the upcoming week:
- Ditch the Umbrella: It’s useless against the wind and the "shmist." Get a high-quality shell with a hood.
- Watch the Saturday Transition: If you have travel plans over the passes or even just up I-5 toward Tacoma on Jan 24, keep a close eye on those snow chances. Even a dusting in Olympia can turn the "Queen Anne Sedan Slam" into a South Sound reality.
- Check Your Outdoor Pipes: With lows hitting 32°F and 29°F later in the month, those clear nights are going to be prime for freezing.
- Vitamin D is Non-Negotiable: We’re about to head back into a long stretch of 0-1 UV index days. If you haven't seen the sun by 10:00 AM, you probably won't.
The sun on Saturday and Sunday is a rare break. Go to Capitol Lake, walk the Priest Point Park trails, or hit the Farmers Market while you can do it without a parka. By next Thursday, the South Sound gloom returns in full force.
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Your Action Plan: Enjoy the 51-degree sunshine this weekend, but have your snow tires or socks ready by Friday night. The drop from a sunny 51 to a snowy 40 is going to feel a lot harsher than the numbers suggest.