If you’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for more than a week, you know the drill. You check the forecast, see a sun icon, and ten minutes later you’re getting pelted by sideways rain while your umbrella turns inside out. Honestly, trying to pin down the weather for seattle wa 15 day is kinda like trying to predict which lane of I-5 will be moving—it’s mostly guesswork and a little bit of hope.
But right now, things are looking weirdly... nice?
As of Saturday, January 17, 2026, Seattle is basking in some serious Vitamin D. It's 51°F and sunny. A north wind is blowing at a gentle 6 mph. For a city that usually feels like living inside a damp wool sock in January, this is basically a tropical vacation.
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The 15-Day Outlook: A Tale of Two Seattles
Basically, we're looking at a massive split in the atmosphere. The first half of this 15-day stretch is dominated by a "strong and stable ridge." That’s fancy meteorology speak for "the rain is stuck somewhere else and we get the clear skies."
Here is the actual breakdown based on the latest data.
The Sunny Streak (Now through Jan 20)
We are currently in a rare "Blue Hole" event. Today, we hit a high of 52°F. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, stays sunny with a high of 49°F and a low of 37°F. Monday follows suit at 50°F. If you’ve got yard work or just need to see your own shadow to remember you exist, do it now.
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The Shift (Jan 21 - Jan 24)
Clouds start creeping back in by Wednesday. We're looking at a high of 47°F and a low of 37°F. By Thursday, the rain returns. Not a deluge, just that classic Seattle "light rain" with a 45% chance of precipitation overnight. Friday, January 23, gets a bit messier with showers and a 65% chance of rain.
The Wet Finale (Jan 25 - Jan 31)
The end of the month is looking much more like the Seattle we know. Temperatures stay in the upper 40s to low 50s, but the rain chances spike. Monday, January 26, is looking particularly soggy with a 75% chance of rain and winds kicking up to 18 mph from the south.
Why the Forecast Keeps Changing
People love to complain that meteorologists are the only people who can be wrong 50% of the time and keep their jobs. But in Seattle, the geography is working against them. You’ve got the Olympics to the west and the Cascades to the east.
When a storm rolls in from the Pacific, it hits those mountains and does weird stuff. Sometimes the "rain shadow" protects us; sometimes the "convergence zone" just parks a wall of water over Northgate for three hours while it’s sunny in Tacoma.
Current models from the Climate Prediction Center suggest we are still feeling the tail end of La Niña conditions. Usually, that means cooler and wetter. However, there’s a 75% chance we transition to "neutral" conditions soon. This explains why we’re seeing these massive swings from bright sunshine to heavy rain within the same week.
What to Actually Wear (The Expert Strategy)
Forget the heavy parkas. Honestly, you'll just sweat the second you walk into a coffee shop. The "Seattle Layering" system is the only way to survive a 15-day forecast that can’t make up its mind.
- The Base: A moisture-wicking tee.
- The Mid: A light wool sweater or fleece.
- The Shell: A high-quality rain jacket with a hood. If you use an umbrella, everyone will know you're from California.
- The Feet: Gore-Tex is your best friend. Wet socks are the fastest way to ruin a perfectly good Tuesday.
Actionable Next Steps
- Wash your car before Wednesday: You’ve got a clear window of dry weather until Jan 21. Take advantage of it before the road grime returns.
- Check your gutters: With a 75% rain chance predicted for the following Monday, make sure those leaves from November aren't blocking your downspouts.
- Plan outdoor hikes for Jan 18-19: These are likely the last truly "dry" days for the remainder of the month.
- Monitor the wind: The 18 mph gusts on Jan 26 could be enough to knock down loose branches. Secure your patio furniture by the 25th.
Keep an eye on the barometer. When it starts dropping on Wednesday night, you'll know the sunny streak is officially over.