Washington Weather Radar

Washington Live Weather

Washington Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Washington cloud cover radar map and the Washington precipitation radar map.

Washington Hourly Weather Forecast

Washington 7-Day Weather Forecast

Washington Weather Overview

Washington stretches from the rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula to the arid basins of the Columbia Plateau, creating two completely different weather worlds separated by the Cascades. The NWS offices in Seattle (WFO SEW) and Spokane (WFO OTX) cover this dramatic split. Western Washington gets mild, wet winters — Seattle averages around 39 inches of rain a year — while eastern Washington sees hot summers and cold, dry winters.

Flooding is the most dangerous weather threat across the state. Atmospheric rivers off the Pacific can deliver catastrophic rainfall in hours, as the February 1996 floods demonstrated when 44,000 residents were evacuated across 24 counties. The 2025 atmospheric river event broke all-time flood records on the Snohomish and Skagit rivers. Historically, the Columbus Day Storm of 1962 remains the most destructive windstorm on record, with gusts reaching 121 mph and causing widespread destruction across western Washington.

Wildfire smoke has become a seasonal hazard eastern — and increasingly western — Washington cannot ignore. The summer of 2015 marked the worst wildfire season in state history, burning over 1 million acres and pushing air quality into hazardous levels for weeks. Winter storms bring heavy mountain snow to the Cascades, where some passes receive 400–600 inches annually, and occasional ice events can shut down lowland roads. Washington weather radar is essential year-round — conditions can swing from sunshine to severe weather within hours.

Washington Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Washington weather radar

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is Washington's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

Wildfire Smoke Risk

Wildfire smoke drifts into Washington even when the fires are hundreds of miles away. Upper-level winds carry smoke plumes that turn skies hazy and push the Air Quality Index into unhealthy territory. Radar can't detect smoke directly, but it shows the wind patterns and incoming fronts that determine whether smoke lingers over Washington or gets pushed out. If you have asthma or respiratory issues, check the AQI alongside the radar during wildfire season.

Winter Storm Risk

Winter storms hit Washington when Gulf or Pacific moisture runs into cold Arctic air — the result is some combination of heavy snow, ice, and strong winds. The key thing to watch on radar is the rain-snow line: that boundary determines whether Washington gets rain, freezing rain, or heavy snow, and it can shift by miles in an hour. When a winter storm watch goes up, stock your emergency supplies and plan to stay home.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through Washington regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Washington, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

How to Use Washington Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Washington weather radar data.

Check the Radar Map

Pull up the Washington weather radar and hit play on the animation. Watch storm cells and precipitation bands moving in from the Pacific or building over the Cascades — direction and speed matter when planning around western Washington's fast-moving fronts.

Compare East vs. West

Washington's weather splits at the Cascades. Use the radar to see if rain is staying west of the mountains or if a system is pushing moisture into eastern Washington. The two sides can have completely different conditions on the same day.

Watch for Flood-Triggering Rainfall

Heavy greens and reds on the radar over Cascade foothills or river valleys — Snohomish, Skagit, Chehalis — signal flood risk fast. Atmospheric rivers can drop several inches in hours. If the radar shows sustained heavy rainfall upstream, move away from low-lying areas.

Check for Wildfire Smoke (Summer)

From July through September, check the hourly forecast alongside the radar. Smoke from eastern Washington wildfires often drifts west, dropping air quality. Clear skies on radar with an orange tint outside means smoke is present — check AQI before outdoor activity.

Who Benefits from Washington Weather Radar

How different people use the Washington radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Check Washington weather radar before driving I-5 or I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass — winter storms close mountain passes fast.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hikers on the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier — watch incoming fronts 30 minutes out before summit attempts.

Event Planners & Families

Planning events at Lumen Field or T-Mobile Park in Seattle — radar shows exactly when rain arrives downtown.

Outdoor Workers

Construction and agricultural crews in the Yakima Valley — track eastern Washington thunderstorms and wildfire smoke shifts.

Washington Weather FAQ

Common questions about Washington weather patterns and radar

Why does western Washington get so much rain?

Prevailing westerly winds push moisture-laden Pacific air into western Washington, where it rises over the Olympics and Cascades and cools, releasing precipitation. Seattle averages about 39 inches of rain per year — but rain frequency matters more than totals. Light drizzle dominates fall and winter rather than heavy downpours, which is why the washington weather radar often shows light, persistent returns rather than intense storm cells.

What is the worst windstorm in Washington state history?

The Columbus Day Storm of October 12, 1962 is considered Washington's most destructive windstorm on record. Winds hit 121 mph in some locations, killing dozens across the Pacific Northwest and causing an estimated $230 million in damage — roughly $1.82 billion in today's dollars. It forced the early closure of the Seattle World's Fair and remains the benchmark against which all later windstorms are measured.

How bad is wildfire smoke in Washington state?

Wildfire smoke has become a serious seasonal hazard, particularly in eastern Washington. The 2015 wildfire season was the largest in state history, burning over 1 million acres and pushing air quality to hazardous levels across much of the state for weeks. Western Washington increasingly experiences smoke from interior fires carried west by upper-level winds. AQI can spike from Good to Hazardous within hours during active fire weather.

Does Washington state get tornadoes?

Washington experiences an average of two to three tornadoes per year, mostly weak EF0 or EF1 events in eastern Washington where flat terrain and summer thunderstorms create occasional spin-up conditions. Western Washington is largely shielded by the Cascades. Unlike the Great Plains, tornado warnings in Washington are infrequent — but check the washington weather radar during severe storm watches in July and August east of the mountains.

What is the University of Washington weather radar?

The University of Washington operates a research-grade Doppler weather radar at its Redmond facility, used for atmospheric research and storm studies in the Pacific Northwest. It is distinct from the operational NWS radars. The NWS Seattle office (WFO SEW) operates the official radar covering western Washington, while WFO Spokane covers the east. This page uses RainViewer radar data, which aggregates multiple sources for broad washington weather radar coverage.

How is this different from KING 5 or KOMO weather radar?

KING 5 and KOMO provide Washington weather radar alongside meteorologist commentary and live storm coverage — valuable during active severe weather. This page offers a clean, ad-free alternative focused on interactive RainViewer radar maps and Open-Meteo forecast data for all of Washington state. Radar imagery updates approximately every 10 minutes. If you want fast radar access without video autoplay or ads, bookmark this page.