Will it be cold and rainy in Washington on Thanksgiving? Here’s what experts say
Thanksgiving is two weeks away, and if you’re planning to travel, you might want to add an item to your holiday to-do list: checking the weather forecast.
It’s still a bit too far out for the National Weather Service to give a detailed forecast for Thanksgiving week. But some long-range weather information is available, including predictions from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
So, what could Thanksgiving hold for Washington in terms of weather?
What will Washington’s weather be like on Thanksgiving?
Logan Howard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Seattle, said a weather outlook covering Thanksgiving week shows temperatures leaning below-normal statewide.
The same outlook shows precipitation leaning slightly above-normal for the eastern and southern parts of the state, while northwestern Washington has an equal chance of above-, below- and at-normal precipitation.
It’s too early for a detailed forecast for specific areas, Howard told The Olympian by phone.
Meanwhile, The Old Farmer’s Almanac said “a patchwork of weather” is expected across the country during the week of Thanksgiving.
In the Pacific Northwest forecast region, which includes western Washington and Oregon, “rain is on tap — heavier to the south, lighter to the north — with colder-than-normal temperatures,” the almanac said.
Drivers should “expect slick roads and reduced visibility at times, so holiday travelers should plan for damp drives and pack patience,” per the forecast.
The Intermountain weather region, which includes eastern Washington and Oregon, plus all of Idaho and parts of several other states, is expected to see a drop in temperatures, “with a mix of rain and snow expected,” the almanac said. “While conditions vary by elevation, travelers should anticipate occasional disruptions — especially in mountain passes and higher terrain,” it said.
When is Thanksgiving this year?
Thanksgiving is in November in the U.S., on the fourth Thursday of the month. That means the date moves year to year, according to the almanac. The earliest possible date is Nov. 22, while Nov. 28 is the latest, per the almanac.
This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 27.
How does The Old Farmer’s Almanac come up with its forecasts?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac noted that “the way we measure long-range seasonal predictions is different than your daily weather meteorologist.”
The almanac “predicts weather trends and events by comparing solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity,” it said. The exact formula is proprietary, per the almanac.
How accurate are The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts?
The almanac gets its weather predictions right “about 80% of the time,” it said.
Last winter’s forecast, for example, had a total accuracy rate of 86.1%, per the almanac.
This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Will it be cold and rainy in Washington on Thanksgiving? Here’s what experts say."
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