Just over a two-hour drive from Canada’s Vancouver, Seattle is the northernmost large city in the western United States. This may already give us an idea that the weather conditions here are not tropical, but its proximity to the Pacific coast makes for a mild and temperate climate, with cool summers and not-too-frosty winters. Compared to other U.S. cities, it turns out to be an easy destination to visit throughout the year.
Contents
Best Season to Visit Seattle
It may seem strange, but despite being located further north than the big cities on the east coast, we encounter more pleasant weather conditions here than in New York or Boston, for example. In Seattle, it is very rare to see snow in winter. On the other hand, summer in Elliot Bay is never as hot as it can be in the eastern metropolises.
It is this very large, deep and jagged inlet, where the United States and Canada have established their border, that mitigates the climate, like an immense lake. It therefore plays the same role, as the Mediterranean Sea does for southern Europe, stabilizing the climate along its coasts.
Fall in Seattle
Fall is well-defined: a transitional season during which temperatures gradually drop between September and November, with a parallel increase on rainy days. Generally speaking, it is a quite rainy city, especially in the cold months. While in September there is an average of about 7 rainy days, in November there are 18: in other words, there is more than 50% chance of having to use an umbrella. The difference in the temperature range between day and night in fall is about 10-20 degrees: in October it is easy to have a temperature of over 59 degrees on clear days, which falls to below 50 degrees at night.
In this period, banks of fog form easily, due to the humidity. Despite the likelihood of rain, fall temperatures make for a pleasant visit. Seattle is nicknamed the Emerald City due to its vegetation being mainly evergreen trees, however in fall, you can enjoy the typical ocher and orange colors of fall in the city’s parks; it will not be like seeing the Foliage of New England, but it is still enjoyable.
Winter in Seattle
From December to February, we are in the middle of winter: the least recommended season to visit Seattle. As I mentioned, it rarely snows here and temperatures are never freezing. However, we are very far north and on winter days, the temperature is normally between 35 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. The real problem in winter, however, is the rain. As well as Emerald City, this city has another nickname: Rain City. The reason why is not hard to guess.
From the end of November, cloudy and rainy days exceed the number of sunny ones and this continues until March, making it essential to use an umbrella in winter. However, there are positive aspects, such as the Christmas period, when the city is filled with colors and lights and if you visit Seattle in December you should take a look at the big tree at the foot of the Space Needle.
Spring in Seattle
Spring arrives in April, after the month of March that still brings with it a winter aftermath. Spring here is the classic season for dressing in layers, and if you plan to come here in the months of March to May, you should be prepared for sudden weather changes. The days are not yet very warm, but the gloomy, rainy winter days are often replaced by days when the sun alternates with cloudy skies, often leaving room for a tiresome feeble drizzle.
At the end of May, daily temperatures finally return to around 68° and the cloudy days gradually diminish. The month of June can still be considered spring-like, with daytime temperatures between 60° and 70° and the number of cloudy days that still exceeds sunny ones, although rain is much less likely than in previous months. May and June are good months to visit the city.
Summer in Seattle
Summer is the best season to visit Seattle. Never as hot and unbearable as in other parts of the USA, the hot season in Seattle is very pleasant. In July and September the daily highs are around 70 degrees, approaching 77° in August. However, it is a good idea to come prepared because even in this period, the temperature range between day and night can be around 10-20°, but generally the summer months are the best for visiting both the city and the surrounding natural areas.
Even the hottest days here are moderated by light breezes coming in from the sea. The rain and fog that characterize Seattle in the colder months do not allow you to admire its particular characteristics, as you can instead do in the summer. This is in fact also the period of the year with least rain: July, August and September are the only two months when the days of clear skies definitely predominate over the cloudy ones.
Best Time to Visit Seattle
If you have a choice, remember that the best time to visit Seattle is summer. The low probability of rain and the good temperatures will surely make your visit to Seattle easier. It’s also the only time of year that’s optimal for venturing into nearby Mount Rainier National Park, as well as for enjoying the city’s many open green spaces. The months between May and October are all good, but the period from mid-June to mid-September is ideal.
Having said that, it is logical to think that if you are planning on visiting Seattle you will probably do so during a trip that will take you to other important places in the state of Washington, many of which have more impervious weather. So unless you are making just a quick trip to Seattle, our advice is to prepare yourself for the weather in other cities, as knowing what you will encounter beforehand can make all the difference. After all, in Seattle even the worst months weather-wise aren’t all that terrible.
If you’re headed to the city, however, I suggest you read our article on getting around Seattle, which will also be particularly helpful in understanding how to get around without being too affected by rainy days.
