Month guide · Seattle · United States
Seattle in October
What October is really like in Seattle: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jllm06, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 16°C (61°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 10.7 hours of daylight. Autumn colour in the arboretum and the return of the rain from mid-month; salmon spawn in local creeks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 16°C (61°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 10.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 11°C (52°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Seattle: days average 16°C (61°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with September (22°C (72°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 11°C (52°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:28
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:22
- Daylight
- About 10.7 hours
- Sea
- 11°C (52°F)
Autumn (September–November). September is often excellent; rain returns in October and dominates November, with autumn colour and lower prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
October has no major recurring festival in Seattle, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Landmark · Seattle Center
Space Needle
Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the 184-metre tower has an observation level with floor-to-ceiling glass and a rotating glass floor, The Loupe.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
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Waterfront · Downtown and Pike Place
Waterfront and Pier 62
Walk from Pike Place down to the water, then south to Colman Dock for a ferry ride at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
Park · Belltown
Olympic Sculpture Park
The Seattle Art Museum's free outdoor park zigzags down from Belltown to the shoreline, with large works by Alexander Calder, Richard Serra and Louise Bourgeois framed by views across Elliott Bay to the Olympics.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Views
- Outdoors
Landmark · Ballard
Ballard Locks
Visit in summer to see salmon in the fish ladder, then stroll the botanical garden beside the locks.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 16°C, lows near 8°C and 14 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Seattle?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Seattle in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Seattle?
It is a shoulder-season month. Autumn colour in the arboretum and the return of the rain from mid-month; salmon spawn in local creeks.
+How warm is Seattle in October?
Average highs are around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Seattle in October?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.