Seattle Weather

Many visitors believe it's always raining. Seattle weather does have this reputation, but did you know that we receives less precipitation than Boston or New York or Atlanta? Actually, it has less precipitation than many other US cities. The normal average yearly precipitation is only 37 inches. New York's average is 47 inches and Boston's is 43 inches. But maybe the reputation isn't wholly undeserved! That's because our rainfall is spread out over more days than most other cities. Much of that rain comes as a cloudy drizzle and mist. And we have more cloudy days than most cities, so it frequently just looks like it might rain!

Most of the annual rainfall occurs between October and May. June, July, and August are the warmest and dryest months. Our family's motto concerning Seattle weather is don't expect sunny, warm, and dry till after the 4th of July. If warm weather comes before that, it's a pleasant bonus! During the summer months, the weather is usually warm and dry with long sunny days perfect for watching the boats at the Ballard Locks or spending time with the animals at Woodland Park Zoo.

The good news is, even on the cloudy and rainy days, the Pacific Northwest is always beautiful!

Seattle weather is milder than much of the rest of the country. We are protected from extreme temperature variations by the Puget Sound, Pacific Ocean, Lake Washington, and the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascade Mountains to the east. These two mountain ranges usually cause all the extreme weather fronts coming from the north to flow around the Puget Sound area. They also shelter the city from most thunderstorms. We might hear thunder on three or four days per year, if that!

In the winter it's usually in the 40's, and only occasionally drops below freezing. It snows on average once or twice a year. Some years it doesn't snow at all. But even in those years, if you really like snow, you can visit the mountains and ski resorts less than an hour away! In the summer, 70's and 80's are the norm.

As with any place, the weather here can occasionally include unusual storms or temperatures even though it may not be as often as most cities. So do check the Seattle weather forecast before you come to get an idea of what to expect during your visit.

The best way to prepare for the weather in Seattle during your visit is to dress in layers. Even if you are visiting during the summer, you'll want a light jacket or sweatshirt available for the evenings or if you're out on the water.

Events are rarely, if ever, canceled because of rain. And yes, it's okay to use an umbrella!