Strong El Niño Could Raise PNW Sea Levels
Washington Sea Grant expects El Niño to push Pacific Northwest coastal waters up 6 to 12 inches this winter.
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WASHINGTON WEATHER AND DISASTER
Washington Current Conditions News
This page covers current conditions across Washington at the state level, from observed temperatures and sky conditions to rainfall totals, snowpack and drought levels. Reporting focuses on what conditions look like right now and how they compare with the season.
Recent news
October 30, 2026
Vantage Bridge Lanes Open for Winter SeasonThe Washington State Department of Transportation has reopened all lanes on the I-90 bridge following seasonal construction.
October 26, 2026
Washington Reopens Chinook and Cayuse PassesThe Washington State Department of Transportation reopened both mountain passes following brief closures due to snow.
October 15, 2026
Strong Winds Resuspend Ash At Mount St. HelensThe U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the mountain did not erupt after a plume of ash reached 12,000 feet.
October 15, 2026
Mount Rainier Summit Elevation Drops to 14,406 FeetThe peak's Columbia Crest has melted 24 feet since 1999 due to warmer summer summit temperatures.
October 13, 2026
Western Washington Temperatures Dropped to Seasonal LowsThe region recorded chilly morning lows on October 12 before a shift toward warmer conditions.
October 13, 2026
Washington Fall Foliage Progressed Amid DroughtWestern Washington trees have begun their autumn color transition while the state remains in a fourth consecutive drought year.
October 5, 2026
Washington Maintenance Crews Logged 54,000 EntriesDepartment of Transportation workers have completed thousands of maintenance tasks across the state since June 1.
October 4, 2026
Western Washington Foliage Season Has Been OptimizedWarmer and drier weather patterns have set the stage for vibrant, long-lasting fall colors across the region.
September 29, 2026
Mount Rainier Summit Ice Melted FurtherResearchers confirmed the Columbia Crest formation has shrunk by 24 feet since 1999 due to rising temperatures.
September 20, 2026
Puget Sound Waters Have Remained WarmElevated temperatures in Puget Sound have persisted for two years, impacting local marine life.
This section follows observed temperatures, precipitation totals for the week, snowpack and drought measurements, river levels and seasonal conditions updates. Coverage reaches from the state capital to the rural counties, where conditions can differ sharply from one valley or coastline to the next. Mountain snowpack and the water supply it feeds are reported as closely as the daily forecast, since the two shape each other. Rainfall that falls west of the Cascades and east of them tells very different stories, so the two regions are kept distinct.