Honestly, if you're looking out the window right now and wondering what time is it going to rain today, the answer depends entirely on which side of the Appalachian Mountains you’re standing on. It is Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and a massive, lumbering storm system is currently carving its way across the eastern United States. This isn't just a simple drizzle. It’s a "trough" situation—basically a giant dip in the atmospheric pressure that's pulling cold air down from Canada while dragging moisture up from the South.
The timing is tricky.
📖 Related: Winning Powerball Numbers in Missouri: What Most People Get Wrong
In the Northeast and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, like DC or Pittsburgh, you’re seeing the "appetizer" right now. It starts as rain. For Washington DC, for instance, AccuWeather is tracking a couple of sprinkles starting late this afternoon, roughly around 4:00 PM. But here is the kicker: that rain is going to get messy fast. As the sun goes down, temperatures are expected to plummet. By late evening, that rain is going to transition into snow as a cold front slams into the region.
When the Rain Turns to Snow: Regional Timing
Down in the Ohio Valley and the Appalachian Ridgelines, the rain is already making its move. If you’re in Pittsburgh, the rain is scheduled to turn into snow by Wednesday evening. Meteorologists at KDKA are warning that the heaviest accumulation—we’re talking 3 to 6 inches—will hit the Laurel Highlands overnight.
If you are in the Southeast, it's a different story.
Places like northern Florida and the Atlantic coast are looking at rain and actual thunderstorms throughout the day. In Orlando, passing showers are expected this afternoon with a high of 68°F. The rain chance jumps to 55% tonight. It’s a humid, soggy mess compared to the freezing transition happening further north.
- Pittsburgh: Rain switches to snow by 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM.
- Washington DC: Sprinkles start around 4:00 PM; rain-snow mix after 9:00 PM.
- Atlanta/Cobb County: Sprinkles likely before 1:00 PM, with actual showers picking up after 2:00 PM.
- Orlando: Showers are a "passing" threat all afternoon, becoming more consistent after dark.
Why This Forecast Is Kinda Weird
Most people think rain is just rain, but today is a classic example of a "thermal battleground." According to the National Weather Service, we are currently in a weak La Niña phase. Usually, that means the South stays dry, but January 2026 is proving to be a bit of an outlier. The jet stream is acting like a literal fire hose, pointing moisture directly at the East Coast.
Over in San Antonio, they’re dealing with the opposite problem. A dry cold front is moving through right now (mid-morning to early afternoon). No rain there. Just wind. Lots of it—gusts up to 45 mph. It’s weird to think that while people in Marietta, Georgia, are looking at a 40% chance of showers after 2:00 PM, folks in Texas are worried about fire risks because it’s so dry.
What to Watch Out For Tonight
The real danger isn't just the rain itself; it's what happens when the rain stops and the temperature drops. The "flash freeze" is a very real threat for the Northeast tonight. When it rains at 4:00 PM and then hits 20°F by midnight, roads turn into ice rinks.
- Check the Radar at 3:00 PM: This is usually when the "transition line" becomes clear.
- Watch the Wind: Behind this rain, we’re seeing northwest winds at 15-30 mph.
- The "Shadow" Effect: If you’re in the lee of the Great Lakes, like southeast Michigan, ignore the rain—you’re getting 8-12 inches of lake-effect snow starting later this morning.
Basically, if you have a commute this evening in the Northeast or Ohio Valley, try to get home before 5:00 PM. Once that rain switches over, visibility is going to tank. The "what time is it going to rain today" question is really a "when do I need to be off the road" question.
For those in the West, from the Rockies to the Southwest, you can mostly ignore this. It's sunny and well above average for mid-January. Woodland Hills, California, hit 85°F yesterday. Life isn't fair.
To stay ahead of the mess, keep an eye on your local "feels like" temperature. In many areas, the air temperature might say 36°F (the high for much of the U.S. interior today), but the moisture and wind will make it feel significantly colder. If you're seeing rain now and the wind starts picking up from the Northwest, that’s your signal that the snow is right on its heels.