Weather in Spokane, Washington
High country wildflowers peak. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Heavy Drizzle33%51°41°
- SundayMay 17Heavy Drizzle16%62°38°
- MondayMay 18Overcast10%66°42°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle—64°44°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—71°44°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—75°50°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—75°53°
- PM 2.5
- 0.8 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 1.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 90.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 1.4 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 11:30 AM
- Moonset
- 2:44 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
High country wildflowers peak
Spokane at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 16°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: June 1 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Cool-season window is open
As of May 16, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Spokane's warmest temperatures at around 72°F mean, while December delivers the coldest at roughly 31°F. December also sees peak rainfall with 2.2 inches, contrasting sharply with August's dry 0.5 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 2.0″ | 7 |
| February | 35° | 1.3″ | 5 |
| March | 42° | 1.8″ | 7 |
| April | 48° | 1.5″ | 4 |
| May | 57° | 1.7″ | 5 |
| June | 63° | 1.5″ | 5 |
| July | 72° | 0.7″ | 1 |
| August | 70° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| September | 61° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| October | 49° | 1.5″ | 5 |
| November | 38° | 2.0″ | 7 |
| December | 31° | 2.2″ | 8 |
Regional context
Spokane falls within a warm-summer Mediterranean climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Seattle, WA, Kennewick, WA, Bremerton, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the opening of ponderosa pine cones as they release their winged seeds across Spokane's surrounding forests.
American robins begin their second nesting cycle in June, with pairs often selecting new territories as daylight stretches past 16 hours.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Spokane?
- Spring's final frost typically occurs around mid-May in Spokane, while the first fall frost returns around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Spokane?
- December ranks as the wettest month, averaging about 2.2 inches of rain, while the city receives roughly 17 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Spokane?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 72°F.
- What is the coldest month in Spokane?
- December usually delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 31°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Spokane?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-May, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Spokane get?
- Spokane experiences about 56 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Spokane?
- Spokane's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Spokane, Washington experiences a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. Winter temperatures in January hover near 32°F, while July averages reach 72°F — creating a 40°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 17 inches, distributed across roughly 56 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns follow the city's latitude of 47.7°N, along with its proximity to large water bodies and elevation. These factors determine what plants thrive, when frost threatens, and how daily weather unfolds.