Road weather
Tacoma road weather and driving conditions
Roadside station readings from WSDOT: what the pavement, air and wind are doing on the routes around Tacoma.
Roadside stations near Tacoma
Pass weather
Conditions climb quickly once you leave the lowlands.
Winter driving around Tacoma
- Bridges and overpasses freeze first. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge and elevated I-705 sections are worth extra care.
- Rain plus dark plus reflective pavement is the normal Tacoma winter hazard, not snow.
- Heading toward Mount Rainier, expect conditions to change with elevation — carry traction devices when pass restrictions are posted.
- If a reading looks marginal, pair it with a camera view before you decide.
Traffic, camera, travel time, mountain pass, road weather, toll and ferry information is supplied by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Tacoma Trekker is an independent Tacoma visitor guide and is not WSDOT, the Washington State Patrol or any official transportation agency. Conditions change quickly; check the official WSDOT page before you drive.
Road weather questions
- Is this a weather forecast?
- No. These are roadside sensor readings published by WSDOT for driving conditions — what is happening at the road right now. For a forecast, use the National Weather Service, or the Mount Rainier weather page for the park approach.
- Why does surface temperature matter more than air temperature?
- Pavement can freeze while the air is above freezing, especially on bridges and overpasses at night. Where WSDOT publishes a surface temperature, it is the better signal for ice risk.
- Does Tacoma get snow?
- Lowland Tacoma snow is occasional rather than routine, but freezing rain, standing water and fog are common in winter, and elevation rises quickly on the routes south and east toward Mount Rainier. Conditions at the road can differ sharply from conditions downtown.
More traveler information
- Traveler Info hubEverything transportation, in one place
- Tacoma traffic & road alertsI-5, SR 16, I-705 conditions and highway alerts
- Tacoma traffic camerasWSDOT camera snapshots by route
- Travel timesCurrent WSDOT drive times on supported routes
- Mountain passesStatewide pass conditions and restrictions
- Washington State FerriesTerminals, bulletins and sailing space
- TollsHow Washington tolling works, with current rates
- Advanced & commercial travel infoBorder waits, clearances, truck restrictions
Things to do once you arrive
- Things to do in TacomaMuseums, waterfront, parks and attractions
- Where to eat & drinkRestaurants, coffee, breweries and teriyaki
- What's happeningToday and this week in Tacoma
- DistrictsDowntown, Ruston Way, Point Ruston, Tacoma Mall and more
- Build My TrekTurn the day into a route you can follow
- Mount Rainier guidePlan the drive from Tacoma to the park