Washington Weather: 02-22-2026

Good morning! I'm Aaron Jolly. And welcome to the Washington Weather Podcast — it's Sunday, February 22nd. If you woke up to rain tapping your window, you're not alone. We picked up nearly a fifth of an inch overnight. And the clouds are just getting warmed up. Right now, the Puget Sound and South Sound are locked in a steady rain that's not letting up. Temperatures sit in the low 40s, climbing to 51 degrees by 3 PM. But here's the thing: that rain? It sticks around all day and peaks at 98 percent tonight around midnight. If you're heading out later, bring the rain jacket — this isn't a sprinkle. Head east and it's a completely different story. Spokane and Wenatchee wake up at 30 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Then watch the thermometer rocket to 51 degrees by afternoon before crashing back to the 30s overnight. Rain moves in around 1 AM, turning to snow in the higher elevations. The Cascades are already under a Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM Monday. Stevens Pass and Mt. Baker could see 5 to 10 inches of snow — heavy at times, up to an inch per hour. If you're crossing the mountains tonight or tomorrow, check conditions first. The wind. A Wind Advisory runs until 10 AM for the Puget Sound foothills, the coast. And the San Juans. Gusts could hit 45 miles an hour — strong enough to knock down branches and flicker your lights. It eases by afternoon, but it's a rowdy start. Looking at the week ahead, this unsettled pattern isn't going anywhere. Monday and Tuesday bring more rain to the lowlands and more snow in the Cascades. Wednesday might give us a slight break, but models are eyeing another round of gusty winds by Thursday. Stay tuned. If this weather update helped you plan your day, share it with a friend who could use a heads-up. That's your forecast — we'll be back tomorrow.