Best and Worst Months to Visit Seattle: Weather and Seasonal Guide

Quick Weather Answer: Best and Worst Time to Visit Seattle

The best time to visit Seattle for weather is usually May, when average daytime temperatures are around 63F (17C) and nights are near 47F (8C). The worst time to visit Seattle is usually December, because the weather is less comfortable for long walks, outdoor sightseeing, and casual transit-heavy days.

• Best month for weather: May
• Worst month for weather: December
• Most comfortable season: Summer
• Hottest month: August, with average highs near 74F (24C)
• Coldest month: December, with average lows near 35F (2C)
• Snowiest month: December, based on winter precipitation and freezing-temperature patterns
• Driest month: July, with about 0.8 inches of precipitation
• Most unpredictable weather period: late winter and early spring
• Best weather for a first-time trip: May, June, and July

What Is the Weather Like in Seattle?

Seattle has strong seasonal contrast. Winters can be cold enough for snow, ice, wind chill, and short daylight to affect daily plans, while the warmer months are much easier for walking and outdoor time. The Seattle climate by month shows average highs from about 44F (7C) in the coolest part of the year to about 74F (24C) in the hottest part. Annual precipitation averages roughly 50.0 inches, and snow or ice can be a real winter factor.

Weather in Seattle changes the feel of the city because this is a place where comfort depends on more than the number on a forecast. A mild month can make metro transfers, neighborhood walks, outdoor meals, and photography feel easy. A difficult month can make the same itinerary feel slower, sweatier, colder, wetter, or more dependent on indoor breaks.

Best Month to Visit Seattle for Weather

May is the best month to visit Seattle for weather in a typical year. Average daytime highs are near 63F (17C), while nights are around 47F (8C). Precipitation averages 2.8 inches, so the month is usually more comfortable than the wetter, hotter, or colder parts of the year.

What makes May stand out is balance. It is not necessarily perfect every day, but it usually gives travelers the best combination of outdoor comfort, manageable weather risk, and enough flexibility for a first-time trip. If hotel prices or crowds rise during this period, that popularity is at least partly weather-driven.

Worst Month to Visit Seattle for Weather

December is the worst month to visit Seattle from a pure weather perspective. Average highs are around 44F (7C), and nights are near 35F (2C). The month also brings about 7.3 inches of precipitation, with snow or icy conditions more likely, which can make long outdoor days less comfortable.

Cold is the main problem. Snow, ice, wind, and short daylight can make the city feel less forgiving, especially for travelers who want to walk a lot. Lower hotel prices or fewer visitors can make December acceptable for flexible travelers, but it is not the month I would choose for the best weather in Seattle.

Seattle Weather by Season

Spring Weather in Seattle

In Seattle, spring usually means March, April, and May. Daytime highs typically run from 51F (11C) to 63F (17C), with nights from about 38F (3C) to 47F (8C). Across the season, precipitation averages around 11.7 inches. This is one of the more comfortable stretches of the year for walking, transit transfers, outdoor meals, and photography. The best spring month for weather is usually May, while March is the least comfortable part of the season.

Summer Weather in Seattle

In Seattle, summer usually means June, July, and August. Daytime highs typically run from 68F (20C) to 74F (24C), with nights from about 51F (11C) to 56F (13C). Across the season, precipitation averages around 4.1 inches. This is one of the more comfortable stretches of the year for walking, transit transfers, outdoor meals, and photography. The best summer month for weather is usually June, while June is the least comfortable part of the season.

Fall Weather in Seattle

In Seattle, fall usually means September, October, and November. Daytime highs typically run from 50F (10C) to 70F (21C), with nights from about 39F (4C) to 52F (11C). Across the season, precipitation averages around 15.0 inches. Rain and humidity shape the season, so outdoor plans need more flexibility than the temperature alone suggests. The best fall month for weather is usually September, while November is the least comfortable part of the season.

Winter Weather in Seattle

In Seattle, winter usually means December, January, and February. Daytime highs typically run from 44F (7C) to 47F (8C), with nights from about 35F (2C) to 36F (2C). Across the season, precipitation averages around 19.2 inches, with snow or icy conditions possible. This is the season when cold, short daylight, and possible slick conditions matter most. The best winter month for weather is usually February, while December is the least comfortable part of the season.

Seattle Weather by Month: What to Expect

January in Seattle

January in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 45F (7C) and nighttime lows near 36F (2C). Expect about 7.0 inches of precipitation, with snow or icy conditions more likely, and average winds near 2 mph. In real life, winter conditions matter: sidewalks can be slick, station entrances can be slushy, and wind can make short walks feel longer.

Outdoor comfort is cold and snowy for most travelers. Pack a warm jacket, layers, a compact umbrella or rain shell, shoes with grip. Verdict: January is possible, but it is not one of the easier weather months in Seattle.

February in Seattle

February in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 47F (8C) and nighttime lows near 35F (2C). Expect about 4.8 inches of precipitation, with snow or icy conditions more likely, and average winds near 2 mph. In real life, winter conditions matter: sidewalks can be slick, station entrances can be slushy, and wind can make short walks feel longer.

Outdoor comfort is manageable with planning for most travelers. Pack a warm jacket, layers, a compact umbrella or rain shell, shoes with grip. Verdict: February is a good month for weather in Seattle.

March in Seattle

March in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 51F (11C) and nighttime lows near 38F (3C). Expect moderate rain, averaging about 5.2 inches, and average winds near 2 mph. In real life, rain is the main tradeoff, so the month can feel better for travelers who are patient with showers and flexible with outdoor timing.

Outdoor comfort is good, with a few weather tradeoffs for most travelers. Pack a warm jacket, layers, a compact umbrella or rain shell. Verdict: March is a good month for weather in Seattle.

April in Seattle

April in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 56F (13C) and nighttime lows near 41F (5C). Expect moderate rain, averaging about 3.7 inches, and average winds near 2 mph. In real life, the month feels usable but changeable, with enough mild weather for outdoor plans and enough cool or wet spells to require backup layers.

Outdoor comfort is very comfortable for most travelers. Pack a warm jacket, layers, a compact umbrella or rain shell. Verdict: April is a good month for weather in Seattle.

May in Seattle

May in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 63F (17C) and nighttime lows near 47F (8C). Expect some rain, averaging about 2.8 inches, and average winds near 1 mph. In real life, the month feels usable but changeable, with enough mild weather for outdoor plans and enough cool or wet spells to require backup layers.

Outdoor comfort is the best of the year for most travelers. Pack comfortable layers, a light jacket. Verdict: May is one of the best weather months in Seattle.

June in Seattle

June in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 68F (20C) and nighttime lows near 51F (11C). Expect some rain, averaging about 2.1 inches, and average winds near 1 mph. In real life, the month feels usable but changeable, with enough mild weather for outdoor plans and enough cool or wet spells to require backup layers.

Outdoor comfort is very comfortable for most travelers. Pack comfortable layers, a light jacket. Verdict: June is a good month for weather in Seattle.

July in Seattle

July in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 74F (23C) and nighttime lows near 56F (13C). Expect dry weather, with only about 0.8 inches of rain, and average winds near 1 mph. In real life, this is one of the easier kinds of city weather, with comfortable walking conditions and only limited weather friction.

Outdoor comfort is very comfortable for most travelers. Pack comfortable layers, a light jacket. Verdict: July is a good month for weather in Seattle.

August in Seattle

August in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 74F (24C) and nighttime lows near 56F (13C). Expect some rain, averaging about 1.1 inches, and average winds near 1 mph. In real life, this is one of the easier kinds of city weather, with comfortable walking conditions and only limited weather friction.

Outdoor comfort is very comfortable for most travelers. Pack comfortable layers, a light jacket. Verdict: August is a good month for weather in Seattle.

September in Seattle

September in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 70F (21C) and nighttime lows near 52F (11C). Expect some rain, averaging about 2.3 inches, and average winds near 1 mph. In real life, this is one of the easier kinds of city weather, with comfortable walking conditions and only limited weather friction.

Outdoor comfort is very comfortable for most travelers. Pack comfortable layers, a light jacket. Verdict: September is a good month for weather in Seattle.

October in Seattle

October in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 59F (15C) and nighttime lows near 45F (7C). Expect moderate rain, averaging about 5.0 inches, and average winds near 2 mph. In real life, the month feels usable but changeable, with enough mild weather for outdoor plans and enough cool or wet spells to require backup layers.

Outdoor comfort is very comfortable for most travelers. Pack comfortable layers, a light jacket, a compact umbrella or rain shell. Verdict: October is a good month for weather in Seattle.

November in Seattle

November in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 50F (10C) and nighttime lows near 39F (4C). Expect about 7.7 inches of precipitation and occasional snow or icy weather, and average winds near 2 mph. In real life, rain is the main tradeoff, so the month can feel better for travelers who are patient with showers and flexible with outdoor timing.

Outdoor comfort is rainy and less reliable for most travelers. Pack a warm jacket, layers, a compact umbrella or rain shell. Verdict: November is possible, but it is not one of the easier weather months in Seattle.

December in Seattle

December in Seattle typically brings daytime highs around 44F (7C) and nighttime lows near 35F (2C). Expect about 7.3 inches of precipitation, with snow or icy conditions more likely, and average winds near 2 mph. In real life, winter conditions matter: sidewalks can be slick, station entrances can be slushy, and wind can make short walks feel longer.

Outdoor comfort is one of the least comfortable periods of the year for most travelers. Pack a warm jacket, layers, a compact umbrella or rain shell, shoes with grip. Verdict: December is the weakest weather month in Seattle, even if prepared travelers can still make it work.

Month-by-Month Weather Table for Seattle

Hottest Time of Year in Seattle

The hottest time of year in Seattle is usually July and August. The hottest month in Seattle is August, with average highs near 74F (24C) and nights around 56F (13C). If humidity or strong sun is present, the heat can feel more demanding than the average high suggests.

Early mornings and evenings are usually better than midafternoon during this period. If the hot months overlap with summer vacation or peak travel, the city may still be busy, but from a weather perspective this is not automatically the most comfortable time to visit.

Coldest Time of Year in Seattle

The coldest time of year in Seattle is usually January, February, March, and December. The coldest month in Seattle is December, with average lows near 35F (2C) and daytime highs around 44F (7C). Snow and ice can affect sidewalks, station entrances, and day trips.

Rainiest, Snowiest, or Most Humid Months in Seattle

The snowiest month is usually December, based on the overlap of winter precipitation and freezing temperatures. The rainiest or wettest month overall is November, with about 7.7 inches of precipitation. Winter travelers should think about footwear, wind, and icy surfaces, not just temperature.

Driest and Clearest Months in Seattle

The driest month in Seattle is usually July, with about 0.8 inches of precipitation. The broader dry-weather window often includes June, July, and August. These months are generally better for walking, photos, outdoor meals, and day trips because the odds of weather interruptions are lower.

Most Unpredictable Weather Period in Seattle

The most unpredictable weather period in Seattle is usually late winter and early spring. During this stretch, travelers should expect the forecast to matter more than the calendar. Pack flexible layers, check conditions before long walks, and avoid building a trip around only one kind of weather.

Best Weather for First-Time Visitors

For a first-time trip, the best weather window is usually May, June, and July. This period gives the strongest balance of mild temperatures, manageable rain, outdoor comfort, and enough daylight for a relaxed city schedule. It is also the period most likely to answer the question of when is the weather best in Seattle without asking travelers to tolerate the year’s worst heat, cold, or wet weather.

When to Avoid Seattle Because of Weather

Consider avoiding January, November, December if your trip depends on comfortable walking weather. These months are more likely to be too hot, too cold, too wet, too snowy, or simply less pleasant than the better parts of the year.

Families with kids, older travelers, photographers, and visitors who want to walk a lot should be especially careful with the worst weather months. Travelers who dislike heat should avoid the hottest stretch around July and August; travelers who dislike cold should avoid the coldest stretch around January, February, March, and December; travelers who dislike rain should be cautious around November.

Final Weather Verdict: When Should You Visit Seattle?

The best month to visit Seattle for weather is May. The worst month to visit Seattle is December. The best season overall is usually Summer, while the best mild-weather period for a first-time visitor is May, June, and July.

If you want the best month to visit Seattle, choose the month that gives you comfortable daytime temperatures and the lowest risk of weather disrupting outdoor plans. If you are comparing Seattle weather by month, do not look only at the hottest month in Seattle or the coldest month in Seattle. Rain, snow, wind, humidity, and daylight can matter just as much.

For most travelers, the practical answer is simple: visit during the comfortable middle of the Seattle seasons, avoid the most extreme month if you can, and pack for the specific weather pattern of your chosen dates.