Situated in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a bustling and culturally important city that’s home to 738,172 residents. Over 4 million residents live in the Seattle-Olympia–Bellevue metro area. It’s known for its delicious coffee, fantastic neighborhoods, innovative music scene, and landmarks like the Space Needle.
The Seattle climate often gets a bad rap for being overcast and mostly cloudy. While it does experience heavy rainfall and more overcast days than your typical city, the temperature in Seattle, Washington, tends to be fairly moderate throughout the year and not all that extreme. Its location on the Puget Sound helps moderate the Seattle temperature and keep it from getting too hot or too cold.
According to the Koppen Classification System, the Seattle climate is warm summer Mediterranean (although under the Trewartha System, it’s classified as an Oceanic climate). That means you can expect cool, wet winters and relatively dry summers.
However, it’s important to understand the difference between the Seattle climate and the weather. Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions of an area, while the Seattle climate refers to the average weather patterns for a region over a long period of time.
While Seattle’s weather monthly may vary greatly from one season to the next, in general, the climate is warm and damp. So to help you get a better idea of what it’s truly like to live there, here is a look at what the weather is like in Seattle, WA.
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Seattle Seasons
While technically, the Seattle climate includes four seasons, many people will tell you there are only two: wet and dry. Seattle rain tends to pick up in October, with peak rainfall occurring in November and December. The rainy season continues through April before letting up in the late spring, with the summer being comparatively dry. Here is a look at each season and the Seattle weather monthly changes.
The Seattle Climate in Spring
Spring in Seattle is when the rain tends to slow down, and the sun starts to come out. March is typically when the weather begins to get warmer, and the temperature typically stays between the mid-40°’s to the mid-60s. Daily high temperatures stay between 53°F to 69°F, while daily lows hang around 40°F to 53°F.
Spring in Seattle is also characterized by blooming flowers, especially the stunning cherry blossoms at the University of Washington. It is also a good time to visit Seattle before the crowds pick up during the peak summer season.
The Seattle Climate in Summer
Seattle’s summer weather is mostly sunny, characterized by blue skies and mild temperatures. It’s the least rainy part of the year; however, the Pacific Ocean has a cooling effect, preventing it from getting too hot.
Temperatures usually range from the mid-60s to the low 80s, offering the best aspects of the Seattle climate without the negatives. As a result, summer is often Seattle’s peak tourist season, with numerous festivals and outdoor events occurring. The rainfall is also lightest and most sparse from May to September, allowing residents and visitors to fully enjoy the city’s scenic beauty.
The Seattle Climate in Spring
Fall can also be a fantastic time to visit the Seattle area. It’s the time of year when the foliage bursts into a brilliant array of colors, providing a scenic backdrop for hikes and photo shoots. The rainy season in Seattle begins about halfway through the fall and picks up as the weather gets colder.
In the fall, Seattle experiences a slight chill, with temperatures dropping from the 60s and 70s in September to the 30s and 40s by November. It’s usually partly cloudy, and most days feature a chance of rain, with November becoming noticeably colder and darker.
The Seattle Climate in Winter
Winter is the wettest season, and best exemplifies what most people expect of the Seattle climate. The temperatures are relatively mild and tend to stay in the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit. However, Seattle’s average rainfall is the highest in the winter months and averages about 5 to 7 inches per month throughout the season.
It does snow in Seattle, although it rarely gets cold enough for flurries to accumulate on the ground and tends to melt quickly. Seattle’s snowfall averages about 6.3 inches per year.
Seattle’s winter weather offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as ice skating or skiing and snowboarding at Mount Rainier or the Cascade Range.
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Seattle Monthly Weather | Seattle Average Temperatures
Now that you understand what each season is like, it may help to look at Seattle’s weather monthly and how it changes throughout the year. Here is a look at Seattle’s average temperature by month and what kind of precipitation you should expect.
Weather in January
January tends to be one of the colder, wetter months. The average temperature in Seattle in January ranges from 37°F to 47°F. It also rains about 18 days of the month, on average, about 5.55 inches. So don’t forget to bring an umbrella!
Weather in February
February is also cold and rainy, with temperatures fluctuating between 37°F and 50°F. There are an average of about 14 days of rainfall and 3.46 inches. It also occasionally snows in February, although it’s usually a mixture of snow and rain.
Weather in March
March is when the weather starts to show signs of improvement. It’s the beginning of spring, marked by milder Seattle weather averages and the blooming of cherry blossoms. The temperature ranges from a high of 54°F to a low of 39°F. However, March can still be a rainy period in the Seattle climate, as it averages about 16 days of precipitation and 3.7 inches of rain but 178 hours of sunshine.
Weather in April
April is when the average rainfall in Seattle begins to slow down, and the sun comes out. The average high in April is 58°F, while the average low is 42°F. April still has about 14 days of precipitation, although it only averages 2.68 inches of rain and experiences 207 hours of sunshine.
Weather in May
May is the month when spring launches into full effect. In May, Seattle’s temperature averages a high of 65°F and a low of 47°F. It typically sees about 12 days of precipitation, with an average rainfall of 1.93 inches. Mild weather and sunny skies make May one of the best times to experience the Seattle climate.
Weather in June
In June, the Seattle climate really begins to blossom and attract tourists. June events like the Fremont Solstice Parade and PrideFest Capitol Hill attract visitors to the city. Although June can still be somewhat chilly, it’s still one of Seattle’s most pleasant months. Average temperatures range from a high of 70°F to a low of 52°F. June averages about nine days of precipitation or about 1.54 inches of rain.
Weather in July
July is where summer in Seattle really begins. It’s the peak tourist season and tends to attract those looking to indulge in the city’s many outdoor activities. The rain that the Seattle climate is known for is minimal, and the days are often long. In July, Seattle, Washington’s temperature reaches a high of 76°F and a low of 56°F. It only experiences about four days of precipitation and averages 312 hours of sunshine.
Weather in August
August is the peak of the summer in the Seattle climate. It’s one of the warmest months of the year and also one of the busiest, with frequent festivals, street fairs, and outdoor concerts occurring throughout the month. The average temperature peaks at a high of 76°F and a low of 56°F. The forecast for Seattle weather in August shows only four days of precipitation or 0.87 inches of light rain.
Weather in September
The Seattle climate tends to cool down in September and begin to transition into fall. It’s still one of the warmest and least rainy months, but tourist traffic tends to decline in the early fall. However, there are still plenty of community events to attend, such as the Luminata Parade of Lights, an annual equinox festival. Seattle temperatures for September peak at an average high of 71°F and an average low of 52°F. There are an average of about seven days of precipitation and 1.42 inches of rainfall.
Weather in October
October is when the dry season ends. The majority of Seattle’s annual rainfall occurs between October and April, and by Halloween, the temperature noticeably declines. The average high in October is 60°F, while the average low is 46°F. October also averages about 13 days of precipitation and 3.46 inches of rain.
Weather in November
November is typically one of the wettest and coldest months for the Seattle climate. It’s a good time of year to check out one of Seattle’s fantastic museums or sample its delicious coffee. The average temperature peaks at a high of 51°F, while the average low temperature is about 40°F. November only sees about 72 hours of sunshine and 18 days of precipitation, with an average of 6.54 inches of rainfall.
Weather in December
December is likewise cold and rainy. It’s the beginning of winter in Seattle, and it brings gray skies and frequent drizzles. The temperature reaches an average high of 46°F and an average low of 36°F and sees about 17 days of precipitation and 5.31 inches of rain.
Annual Seattle Climate Statistics
Here are a few more interesting statistics about the Seattle weather year-round:
- Average number of sunny days: 150 days (US Average: 205)
- Average rainfall: 39.39 inches (US Average: 38 inches)
- Average snowfall in Seattle: 6.3 inches (US Average: 28 inches)
- Coldest month in the Seattle climate: December (average low of 36°F)
- Hottest month: July/August (average high of 76°F)
- Driest month: July (average precipitation of 0.67 inches)
- Wettest month: November (average precipitation of 6.54 inches)
- Rainiest month: January (69 total hours of sunshine)
- Most humid month: December
- Snowiest month: February
- Sunniest month: July
- Average dew point: 36.18°F
- Seattle record cold temperature: 0°F (January 31st, 1950)
- Seattle record high temperature: 108°F (June 28th, 2021)
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Extreme Weather and the Seattle Climate
Although prone to heavy rainfall, one of the major benefits of the Seattle climate is that it’s relatively isolated from extreme weather events. The temperature never gets too low, so blizzards or major snowstorms are an issue. The unofficial record for the snowiest winter was 64 inches in 1880.
Seattle also has a minimal wind factor, which means that the risk of hurricanes, strong winds, tornadoes, and other severe storms is relatively low. Washington State is vulnerable to wildfires, especially in the drier months. However, Seattle is fairly insulated from wilderness areas that may be prone to fires.
Even though the Seattle climate is associated with heavy rainfall, the rain is more consistent than intense. In fact, Seattle is not even in the top 30 cities in the US for annual rainfall. However, the Seattle climate is influenced by the impacts of El Nino, a combination of global weather trends occurring in the Pacific Ocean. The impact of El Nino often leads to cooler, wetter weather in the years it occurs.
Best Time to Experience the Seattle Climate
The most popular time to visit Seattle is typically in the summer of June through August. At this time of year, the Seattle climate tends to be the most pleasant, and rain is minimal. You’ll also find a wide range of activities, from hiking and mountain biking to outdoor festivals.
Spring and fall offer advantages as well. While you may have to contend with a bit more rain than the summer, the spring season offers lush greenery and the blooming of Seattle’s famous cherry blossoms. The changing of the seasons in fall can also be very scenic, and it’s still a great time for outdoor adventure.
Although the weather may not be ideal in the rainy season, there are still plenty of things to do in Seattle in the winter. From skiing and snowboarding to indoor rock climbing and world-class museums, you’ll still find plenty of cold-weather activities to keep you entertained. Plus you won’t have to deal with as many tourists.
So, while the Seattle climate tends to be the most appealing to visitors in the summer, every season has something unique to offer.
Considering a relocation to the beautiful city of Seattle? When you’re ready to make the journey, trust the dedicated professional movers in Seattle WA at All Ready Moving and Storage to make the process easy and efficient. Call 360-507-2447 today for a free quote.
