You've probably stepped outside lately, looked at that flat, grey Spokane sky, and thought, "Alright, where is it?" We are deep into January, and honestly, the Lilac City is acting a little strange. If you’re checking the spokane wa snow forecast every twenty minutes hoping for a repeat of those massive 2008 drifts, you might be disappointed—at least for the next few days.
Right now, Spokane is trapped. Not in snow, but in a giant bubble of stagnant air.
While the mountains are getting some love, the city itself is dealing with a stubborn ridge of high pressure. It’s basically sitting on us like a heavy blanket. This means fog, low clouds, and an Air Stagnation Advisory that’s sticking around until Tuesday, January 20th. If you’re in the Valley or up on the South Hill, you’ve likely seen more "gloom" than "glitter."
The Immediate Spokane WA Snow Forecast: What's Actually Coming?
Let's look at the numbers because they’re kinda funky. Today, Saturday, January 17th, we are sitting at 31°F. It’s cold enough for snow, but the moisture just isn't there. We have a tiny 2% chance of seeing a flake tonight.
Basically, don't salt the driveway just yet.
Tomorrow, Sunday the 18th, things warm up a smidge to 37°F. It’ll be sunny, which is a rare treat for January in the Inland Northwest. But as we move into the middle of next week, the pattern starts to shift. The National Weather Service in Spokane is keeping a close eye on a series of shortwaves and cold Arctic air that might finally break this stagnation.
- Monday (MLK Day): High of 35°F, mostly cloudy. Still pretty dry.
- Tuesday: 37°F and partly sunny. Still waiting for the "big one."
- Wednesday: 35°F. Things start to feel a bit more "unsettled."
- Thursday Night: This is when the spokane wa snow forecast actually gets interesting. We’re looking at a 20% chance of snow as the air begins to move.
The Big Shift: Friday and Next Weekend
If you’re a fan of the white stuff, Friday, January 23rd, is your day to watch. The chance of snow showers jumps up to 35%. By Saturday, January 24th, we’re looking at light snow and highs dropping back down to 28°F.
It isn't a blizzard. Not yet. But it’s the first real sign that winter hasn't completely forgotten about us.
The models are starting to show a "North to South" flow. That’s weather-speak for "Arctic air is coming down to visit." By Monday, January 26th, we might see a messy mix of rain and snow with a 40% chance of precipitation overnight.
Why the Snow Drought Matters
Honestly, Washington is in a bit of a weird spot. About 81% of snow telemetry stations in the state are reporting "snow drought" conditions right now. We are seeing more rain than snow in many spots, which is never great for our summer water supply.
Mount Spokane is holding its own, though.
As of this morning, the mountain has a base depth of about 13 inches and a summit depth of 27 inches. If you want to escape the valley fog, heading up to the ski park is your best bet. While the city is shrouded in gray, the alpine areas are enjoying "attitude adjustment by altitude" with clear skies and machine-groomed corduroy on the trails.
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Spokane’s Winter Reality vs. The Myths
People always talk about Spokane like it’s the North Pole. In reality, January is our wettest month, but it’s often a battle between snow, rain, and that annoying "wintry mix."
- The Average: We usually see about 48 inches of snow over a full winter.
- The Record: Back in 2008, we hit a massive 61.5 inches.
- Current Stats: Since July 1st, we’ve only seen about 4.4 inches of total snowfall. That is way below the "normal" of around 20 inches for this point in the season.
We are currently 16 inches behind our usual pace. That’s a lot of missing snowballs.
How to Prepare for the Late-January Shift
Since the spokane wa snow forecast is looking more active toward the end of the month, you’ve got a little window of time to get your act together.
First, check your windshield wipers. The mix of rain and snow predicted for the 26th and 27th is the kind of slush that turns into a frozen mess on your glass. Second, keep an eye on that Air Stagnation Advisory. If you have asthma or other respiratory issues, the air quality in the basin isn't great right now because all the pollutants are trapped near the ground.
Don't let the sunny Sunday fool you. The Inland Northwest is known for its "January Thaw," but that Arctic air mentioned by the NWS is lurking. When that 40% chance of snow hits next week, the temperatures will drop fast.
Actionable Steps for Spokanites:
- Check Your Tires: If you haven't put the winters on yet, do it before Friday's showers.
- Avoid Outdoor Burning: Until the stagnation advisory lifts on Tuesday, keep the woodstove use to a minimum to help the air quality.
- Plan for the Pass: If you're heading toward Seattle, watch the Snoqualmie forecast closely for that Thursday/Friday window.
- Watch the Night Lows: We’re looking at 22°F by next Saturday. Make sure your outdoor pipes are still tucked in.
Winter in Spokane is a marathon, not a sprint. We might be starting slow in 2026, but the transition at the end of next week proves that the season still has plenty of teeth. Keep your shovel handy, but maybe keep the fog lights on for now.