Seattle, WA Weather Forecast & Climate Guide
Seattle has an oceanic climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Protected by the Olympic Mountains, the city receives less rain than its reputation suggests.
Climate type: Oceanic / marine west coast (Köppen Cfb)
Seattle Climate Overview
Summers are pleasant with highs in the 70s°F (21-26°C) and minimal rain. Winters are mild with highs in the 40s°F (4-9°C) and frequent light rain. Annual precipitation is about 37 inches.
Seattle experiences persistent cloud cover in winter but enjoys sunny, dry summers. The "Seattle Freeze" of gray winter days contrasts with beautiful summer weather.
Seattle Weather by Season
spring
Spring is cool and damp with highs slowly climbing from the 50s°F in March to the 60s°F in May. Expect frequent light rain but also longer stretches of sunshine as the season progresses.
summer
Summers are glorious — warm, dry, and sunny with highs in the upper 70s°F and comfortable low humidity. July and August are the driest months, with almost no rain at all.
fall
Fall starts pleasant in September and quickly turns wet. By mid-October the Pacific storm track returns, bringing the classic Seattle drizzle and increasingly short days.
winter
Winters are mild but overcast, with highs in the 40s°F and persistent light rain. Snow is rare in the city itself but common in the nearby Cascades.
Seattle Average Monthly Temperatures
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 48° | 50° | 54° | 59° | 66° | 71° | 77° | 77° | 71° | 60° | 51° | 47° |
| Low °F | 37° | 38° | 40° | 43° | 48° | 53° | 57° | 58° | 53° | 46° | 41° | 36° |
Best Time to Visit Seattle
July through early September — warm, dry, long days, and some of the best summer weather in the country. Book in advance; locals are outside.
Severe Weather Risks
- Atmospheric rivers
- Wildfire smoke
- Windstorms
- Ice storms
- Landslides
Weather Facts About Seattle
- >Seattle receives less annual rainfall than New York, Miami, or Atlanta — its reputation comes from drizzle frequency, not volume.
- >The city enjoys some of the longest summer days in the lower 48, with over 16 hours of daylight in June.
- >The Olympic Mountains create a rain shadow that keeps Seattle drier than the coast to the west.
Seattle Weather FAQ
Does it really rain all the time in Seattle?
Not really. Seattle averages 37 inches of rain per year — less than NYC, Miami, or Atlanta. But it rains often in small amounts, with 150+ cloudy days per year from October through May.
When is the best time to visit Seattle?
Mid-July through early September. Warm, dry, sunny weather with highs in the upper 70s°F, long daylight hours, and minimal rain. September is a quieter alternative.
Does Seattle get snow?
Only occasionally. The city averages about 5 inches of snow per year, usually in brief events. When snow does fall, the hilly streets make travel difficult.
How cold does Seattle get?
Mild by US standards — winter highs average in the upper 40s°F and lows in the upper 30s°F. Hard freezes happen a few times per year but extended deep cold is rare.