December 2025 Climate Summary

Key Messages: 

Averaged statewide, December 2025 was the warmest December on record. January -December 2025 is tied with 1934 as  the second warmest year on record in Washington.

Averaged statewide, December ranked as the 5th wettest December on record, with most portions of the state receiving much above normal precipitation.  

December 2025 Snowpack and Drought Summary

Key Messages: 

Precipitation for the current water year is well-above normal, but not enough to overcome multi-year deficits.   

Snowpack remains below normal in the central and southern Cascades, Olympics, Blue Mountains, and the northeastern WA Rockies.  

December Notable Weather Events

Key Messages: 

A warm atmospheric river event from December 8-11 brought widespread flooding to both western Washington and the eastern slopes of the Cascades. Read more in this article and in this Month’s Climate Matters. 

Counting Every Drop: CoCoRaHS Observer Stories

“I think of CoCoRaHS like the nerves under a person’s skin. Dozens of nerves are useful, but THOUSANDS of nerves give you so much better feedback.” 
 
Every morning, Laurie Pitman takes her border collie, Emma, outside. 

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. 

Climate Matters: The CoCoRaHS Rain Gauge Network and a Tale of Two Hydrologic Extremes

On November 14-15, 2021, 4.67” of rain fell at Bellingham International Airport, setting a new record for that location. This storm brought with it the most devastating flood that Whatcom County has seen in decades. 

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.  

November and Fall 2025 Climate Summary

Key Messages: 

November temperatures were above normal statewide (7th warmest since 1895) with the largest departures from normal across the Columbia Basin and northeastern Washington. 

Precipitation was below normal across the Pacific Coast, central and southern Cascades, and southeastern Washington. 

November 2025 Drought and Snowpack Update

Key Messages: 

Snowpack is currently below normal in all major basins across the state 

Storms were warm, bringing mostly rain instead of snow. Drier than normal conditions occurred across the Olympics and portions of the southwestern Cascades which limited snowpack growth. 

November Notable Weather Events

Key Messages: 

Temperatures were above normal statewide due to both mild daytime maximums and mild nighttime minimums. 
Atmospheric river events on November 1-3 and 5-8 brought heavy rainfall to western Washington.