Late February Climate Outlook

What’s Next for the Pacific Northwest?
Wetter than normal conditions expected in March. A warm start to the month is likely.
The Climate Prediction Center’s monthly outlook for March 2026 shows 40-50% chance of above normal precipitation statewide. 

Early February Climate Outlook

Key Messages:

La Niña conditions remain in place, but a return to neutral conditions is expected by March.

The February CPC outlook indicates warmer than normal temperatures are most likely statewide with slightly elevated chances of wetter than normal conditions across the northern half of the state. 

Early January Climate Outlook

Key Messages

La Niña conditions remain in place, with a 75% chance of neutral conditions by January-March. El Niño conditions are becoming more likely in the extended outlook, with nearly equal chances of neutral or El Niño conditions for the June-August period and minimal chances of La Niña persisting.  

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. 

Early December Climate Outlook

Key Messages

La Niña conditions remain in place, likely returning to neutral conditions by January-March.

December’s outlook indicates a slight chance of wetter than normal conditions in eastern Washington, but high uncertainty overall.  

Late November Climate Outlook

What’s Next for the Pacific Northwest?
Colder than normal conditions most likely December through February. Wetter than normal conditions across eastern Washington.
The Climate Prediction Center’s monthly outlook for December 2025 shows slightly increased chances of cooler than normal conditions across the northern half of Washington. 

Early November Climate Outlook

A La Niña advisory is in place meaning that La Niña conditions are present in the tropical Pacific Ocean. This year’s La Niña is on track to be a fairly weak event, in line with forecasts made earlier in the season, and will likely return to neutral conditions by the January-March period (56% chance). 

Early October Climate Outlook

A La Niña Advisory  was issued by the Climate Prediction Center on October 9 indicating that La Niña conditions are currently in place. La Niña conditions are the most likely scenario now through December-January-February. 

Early September Climate Outlook

The Climate Prediction Center issued a La Niña Watch in August. This watch means that La Niña conditions are likely to develop over the next several months, but that La Niña conditions are not currently in place. 

Late August Climate Outlook

What’s Next for the Pacific Northwest?
Short Term: Persistent Heat Likely Through Early September
Dangerous heat is building across the Pacific Northwest this week and into the weekend. Warmer than normal temperatures are also expected to persist over the next couple of weeks, as illustrated in the Climate Prediction Center 6-10 Day Temperature Outlook below.