Late December Climate Outlook
What’s Next for the Pacific Northwest?
Wetter than normal conditions most likely January-March. Slightly elevated chance of cooler than normal temperatures January-March.
The Climate Prediction Center’s monthly outlook for January 2026 shows good odds (40-50% chance) of wetter than normal conditions across most of the state. Slightly higher odds (50-60%) of wetter than normal conditions exist right along the WA/ID border. There is high uncertainty in temperatures in January with equal chances of above, near, or below normal temperatures statewide.
For the 3-month period from January-March 2026 as a whole, there are slightly elevated chances of cooler than normal temperatures and wetter than normal precipitation across the entire state. These odds are based mainly on conditions from previous years with a similar weak La Niña setup.
La Niña conditions are still present in the Pacific.
Our weak La Niña is still in place and has developed further over the last several weeks. La Niña’s impacts tend to be more pronounced in mid- to late-winter, but weak La Niña’s generally provide less predictability than a more pronounced event would.