Preparing for a Chilly Spring: Washington State's 2026 Outlook

What can we expect in Washington State for Spring weather?

According to the Farmers' Almanac, the Spring 2026 forecast calls for a "sloth-like" arrival, meaning spring warmth will come slowly, and unevenly in the Northwest.

Parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and areas of Montana and Colorado are expected to see temperatures closer to or below seasonal averages.

2026 Spring Forecast Details to Note for Washington State

www.Almanac.com/outlook

• Temperatures are expected to be near or below average in Washington state.
• Storms will be frequent, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and occasional snow.
• While western Washington may see average temps in April, areas like Spokane are looking at a wetter, colder spring.
• Late freezes are possible: frosty mornings may last longer than usual, which may delay planting and could risk damage to seasonal crops.

Gardeners and farmers alike should delay planting frost-sensitive crops and keep row covers, cold frames, or mulch handy to protect young plants during cold snaps.

The Bottom Line From the Old Farmer's Almanac for Spring 2026

Photo by Jonathan Bowers on Unsplash

April and May will be cooler and wetter than normal in the north, while warmer and drier in the south. Summer will be cooler and drier than usual in the north, while the south will see hotter, wetter conditions.

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LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF