Will Eastern WA be warm and dry this spring? Cool and wet? See early forecasts

This winter hasn’t been an easy one for Washington state.

Despite storms that led to historic flooding in parts of the state, Washington is still dealing with a devastatingly low snowpack. The Evergreen State hasn’t gotten the winter weather conditions it needs so far this season.

Could spring bring Eastern Washington the precipitation it needs?

Here’s what the forecast says:

What’s the forecast for spring weather in Eastern Washington?

At this point in winter, it’s difficult for forecasters to accurately predict what spring weather will look like.

However, early forecasts considering a range of factors, including global patterns, year-to-year persistence, soil moisture and climatology, give meteorologists an idea of what to expect.

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center provides forecasts up to three months out.

These forecasts predict whether temperatures and precipitation levels will be above or below normal, with percentages indicating the probability of a change.

“Those are not necessarily the magnitude as much as they are the confidence level,” said Matt Callihan, lead meteorologist at the Weather Service’s Pendleton station.

He said the temperature could be one degree or 10 degrees off from normal, explaining the prediction only indicates a departure from standard, but not by how much.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Climate Prediction Center’s long-range temperature outlook indicated that Eastern Washington has a 33% to 40% chance of above-normal temperatures in April through June.

The center’s long-range precipitation outlook has the region at a 33% to 40% chance of experiencing below-normal precipitation rates during the same time period.

Will spring in Eastern WA be warm and dry? Cool and wet?

As of Wednesday, the Weather Service is predicting a chance the region will be warmer and dryer than normal this spring.

Callihan told McClatchy Media the next month or so will really be the deciding factor.

Some winter weather systems are currently headed to Eastern Washington, and the Weather Service’s one-month outlook shows at least normal precipitation levels for the region, which is promising.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac indicates a possibility the region will have a cooler and wetter spring than normal.

“Parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and areas of Montana and Colorado are expected to see temperatures closer to or below seasonal averages” in April and May, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.

“Wetter conditions” are predicted in the Intermountain region during that time period, according to the Almanac.

Why is wet spring weather important for Eastern Washington?

With heavy snow yet to fall at lower elevations so far this winter, late-season storms will be vital for Eastern Washington.

The region has experienced several years of concerningly low snowpack.

“We got some moisture, but the snowpack is still pretty low across the (Pacific Northwest) from a lack of colder temperatures,” Callihan said, noting that La Niña weather patterns have been pretty weak this year.

While that leaves Eastern Washington with less chance of a late snowfall, it’s not impossible.

In recent years, Eastern Washington has gotten lucky with late winter weather conditions.

Callihan said this year is “pretty similar” to 2015 so far.

That year, Eastern Washington started March with about 20% to 40% of the snowpack it needed. The region had a “miracle March” and received massive snowfall, reaching 100% of necessary snowpack by the end of the month, Callihan said.

In the years since, Eastern Washington has regularly had late-season pushes that sustain the region through the rest of the year.

“Last year, we had a lot of rain events around this time of year,” Callihan said. “Even though the snowpack isn’t great news, the soil moisture is pretty good. If we continue to get those moisture events, similar to last year, that would help us moving into spring and summer.”

Will Eastern Washington get snow before spring?

As of Wednesday, the Weather Service forecast for Eastern Washington calls for mountain snowfall through the weekend and through next week.

Some areas at lower elevations could see light snow.

Callihan says it’s important to keep in mind that there isn’t really a drastic cutoff transitioning from one season to the next.

Winter-like conditions can still occur as Eastern Washington moves into spring, and it’s tough to say what’s really going to occur during this period.

Getting some wintry weather over the next month or so is crucial.

“If we stay cool and we get a pattern like we did last year, with rain events every week or two, that’ll really suppress that onset of fire season,” Callihan said.

Around this time in 2025, experts expected fire season in Eastern Washington to start early, with a lot of activity by May.

Late winter rain improved moisture levels and pushed back the start of fire season until later in summer.

“So don’t take that winter kit out of the car yet,” Callihan said. “Be prepared, and if you’re going out traveling, take a look at the roadways and the weather.”