Best time to visit · Seattle · United States
The best time to visit Seattle
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rootology, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Seattle is from June to September, when the weather is dry, mild and sunny, the mountains are clear and the ferries, parks and day trips are at their best. July and August are the busiest and most expensive; late June and September are slightly quieter. From November to March it is grey and drizzly but museums, coffee shops and hotel rates make it workable.
Key facts
- Best months
- June–September
- Shoulder season
- May and October
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 26°C (79°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 8°C (46°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~19 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Seasons
Seattle has a mild marine climate: long, grey and drizzly autumns and winters with little snow, and dry, sunny summers that are among the most pleasant in the US. Rain is frequent but usually light; the total is lower than its reputation suggests.
March–May
Spring
Showery and cool with cherry blossoms, tulip fields in the Skagit Valley and gardens in bloom; it dries out by late May.
June–August
Summer
Dry, mild and sunny with long evenings, outdoor festivals and peak crowds and prices; occasional wildfire smoke in late summer.
September–November
Autumn
September is often excellent; rain returns in October and dominates November, with autumn colour and lower prices.
December–February
Winter
Dark, damp and cool rather than cold; snow in the city is occasional, while the Cascade ski areas are in season.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C | 2°C | 19 | 8°C | 8.8 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 10°C | 2°C | 16 | 8°C | 10.2 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 12°C | 4°C | 18 | 8°C | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 15°C | 6°C | 15 | 9°C | 13.6 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 19°C | 9°C | 11 | 10°C | 15.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 22°C | 11°C | 9 | 11°C | 16 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 26°C | 14°C | 4 | 12°C | 15.6 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 26°C | 14°C | 4 | 13°C | 14.3 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 22°C | 12°C | 7 | 12°C | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 16°C | 8°C | 14 | 11°C | 10.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 11°C | 4°C | 19 | 10°C | 9.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 8°C | 2°C | 19 | 9°C | 8.4 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Lunar New Year celebrations in the Chinatown-International District (late January or February) |
| March | Cherry blossoms at the University of Washington Quad (usually mid-to-late March) |
| April | Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (usually throughout April) |
| May | Opening Day of boating season on the Montlake Cut (first Saturday in May); Seattle International Film Festival (usually May); Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center (Memorial Day weekend) |
| June | Fremont Solstice Parade (usually the weekend nearest the solstice); Seattle Pride Parade (usually late June) |
| July | Seafair festival events (usually July to early August); Capitol Hill Block Party (usually July) |
| August | Seafair Weekend with hydroplane races and an air show (usually early August) |
| September | Bumbershoot arts and music festival at Seattle Center (usually Labor Day weekend) |
| November | Holiday tree lighting and carousel at Westlake Center (usually late November) |
| December | Christmas Ships, decorated boats with choirs, on Puget Sound and the lakes (usually December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March and November, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Seattle?
The best time to visit Seattle is from June to September, when the weather is dry, mild and sunny, the mountains are clear and the ferries, parks and day trips are at their best. July and August are the busiest and most expensive; late June and September are slightly quieter. From November to March it is grey and drizzly but museums, coffee shops and hotel rates make it workable.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Seattle?
Usually in January–March and November. Grey and damp with short days; good for museums, coffee shops and low hotel rates. Snow in the city is occasional.
+What is the rainiest month in Seattle?
January, with about 19 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Seattle get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 26°C (79°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).