Tacoma WA weather: 5-day forecast & hourly updates

Tacoma WA weather in late October 2026 sits in its usual mild, marine-influenced groove, with daytime highs between 55 and 65 degrees and overnight lows in the low to mid 40s. Cloud cover is common, light rain shows up often, and the humidity stays moderate. Residents and visitors rely on fresh data to time commutes, outdoor plans, and weekend errands.

Current conditions snapshot

Right now Tacoma is running near the season average, with temperatures hovering in the upper 50s under mostly cloudy skies. Light showers remain possible through the evening, and visibility sits around five to seven miles. Winds stay light, generally under ten miles per hour from the southwest.

Marine air keeps humidity in the comfortable range, though occasional fog patches can form near the waterfront overnight. Drivers should expect damp pavement and slower morning traffic if mist lingers along I-5 and Highway 16. Pedestrians may want an umbrella handy for the walk to work or the stadium.

These readings set the baseline for the five-day forecast that follows. Any shift in the jet stream or incoming Pacific front will appear first in the hourly trends before it shows up in the daily numbers.

Five day temperature trends

Day one climbs to around 60 degrees with a 40 percent chance of light rain, mainly after noon. Overnight lows settle near 46. Winds remain southwest at 8 to 12 miles per hour, keeping the air feeling crisp rather than raw.

Day two brings slightly cooler air behind a weak front, with a high near 57 and rain chances rising to 60 percent. Lows dip to 43. Gusts could reach 15 miles per hour during the afternoon, so loose items on balconies may need securing.

Day three turns partly sunny as high pressure builds, lifting the high back to 61. Rain chances fall below 20 percent. The evening clears enough for temperatures to drop to 42 under light winds, making it a good night for outdoor dining if plans include downtown.

Day four stays dry with a high of 63 and plenty of sun. Lows hold near 44. This window offers the best chance for yard work or waterfront walks before the next system arrives.

Day five sees increasing clouds and a 50 percent rain chance by evening. Highs reach 59, lows fall to 47. The pattern suggests steady, light rain rather than heavy downpours, typical for Tacoma in late fall.

Precipitation timing details

Most of the rain expected over the next five days arrives as light showers rather than steady downpours. Totals should stay under a quarter inch for any single day. Street drainage handles these amounts easily unless an intense cell develops.

Runoff from the surrounding hills can still create slick spots on side streets, especially near the tideflats. Cyclists and runners should watch for puddles that hide potholes along Ruston Way and around Point Defiance.

Because amounts stay modest, local reservoirs and rivers do not face flood risk from this stretch of weather. Still, the repeated light rain keeps lawns green and reduces early wildfire danger heading into November.

Wind and visibility outlook

Wind speeds stay below advisory levels through the period. The strongest gusts arrive with the front on day two, topping out near 15 miles per hour. These breezes help clear marine air and improve visibility after any morning fog.

Sea-level locations such as the Port of Tacoma may see slightly higher gusts than the Eastside neighborhoods. Boaters checking Commencement Bay should still find conditions manageable for short trips, but larger vessels will watch for the usual small-craft advisories.

Visibility generally runs five miles or better outside of brief showers. Drivers on rural roads east of the city should still use low beams at dawn and dusk when fog banks form in the valleys.

Hourly rain window

Over the next 24 hours, light showers are most likely between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m., then again from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Expect brief heavier drops during the afternoon window, but totals remain light. Temperatures hold steady near 55 during the rain and climb a degree or two when breaks occur.

Between 9 p.m. and midnight the sky should clear enough for temperatures to fall into the mid 40s. Dew points stay close to actual air temperatures, so surfaces turn damp quickly once the sun drops.

Commuters leaving work around 5 p.m. will encounter the tail end of daytime showers. An extra five minutes for traffic and a light jacket are the practical adjustments for that window.

Hourly temperature curve

From midnight to 6 a.m., readings slip from 50 down to 44 under lingering clouds. By 9 a.m. the mercury rebounds to 52 as commuter traffic begins. The day peaks near 1 p.m. at 58 before easing back through the afternoon.

After sunset, temperatures drop fastest between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., falling from 54 to 47. That quick slide makes layered clothing useful for anyone heading to an evening event at the Dome or a show at the Pantages.

Hourly shifts matter most for parents coordinating school pickup and sports practices. A ten-degree swing between midday and midnight changes what kids need to carry in their backpacks.

Planning around the data

Outdoor markets and weekend sports leagues can use the dry window on day three and day four for scheduling. The rain risk climbs again by day five, so earlier in the week is safer for events that cannot move indoors.

Travelers heading to Sea-Tac or joint base Lewis-McChord should check the same timeline, because the marine layer often sits lower along the corridor. A 20-minute fog delay is common when visibility drops below three miles.

Homeowners with roof projects or exterior paint jobs gain two solid days midweek. Checking the hourly curve helps crews start early and finish before the next front edges in.

Regional pattern context

Tacoma’s forecast mirrors the broader Puget Sound trend, though the city sits slightly warmer than interior valleys because of its proximity to water. Seattle numbers run within a degree or two, while Olympia tends to cool off faster at night.

Long-range models keep the jet stream active, so this five-day stretch is unlikely to set records. Average highs for late October sit near 60, and the current run stays within that band.

Residents tracking mountain snow for weekend recreation will find passes holding mostly rain below 4,000 feet. Higher elevations may pick up a few inches above 5,000 feet when the day-five front arrives.

Next update schedule

The National Weather Service refreshes Tacoma WA weather data every hour, with full forecast packages issued at 3 a.m., 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m. Pacific time. Checking the latest package before morning commute or evening plans captures any last-minute adjustments.

Commercial apps pull from the same core models, so differences usually appear only in how each service phrases the precipitation chance. Cross-checking two sources remains useful during active weather.

Bookmarking the official point forecast for Tacoma gives residents and visitors the quickest path to both current conditions and the rolling five-day outlook without extra clicks.