Climate Insights for Seattle

King County, Washington, United States

Hottest
August
25°C peak78°F peak
Coldest
February
3°C low38°F low
Wettest
December
204 mm rain8 in rain
Best to Visit
June, July, August
Mild temps & low rain

Climate Overview

The climate in Seattle is temperate. The average annual temperature is 12°C and approximately 1,354 mm of precipitation falls per year. December is the wettest month, receiving around 204 mm of rainfall. Seattle is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are February, January, December, when temperatures can drop to 3°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.The climate in Seattle is temperate. The average annual temperature is 53°F and approximately 53.3 in of precipitation falls per year. December is the wettest month, receiving around 8 in of rainfall. Seattle is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are February, January, December, when temperatures can drop to 38°F. Light snow can occur between January and December.

Temperature

0°5°10°15°20°25°30°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 8°Average: 6°Min: 4°FebMax: 9°Average: 5°Min: 3°MarMax: 12°Average: 8°Min: 5°AprMax: 15°Average: 10°Min: 7°MayMax: 19°Average: 14°Min: 10°JunMax: 22°Average: 16°Min: 13°JulMax: 25°Average: 19°Min: 15°AugMax: 25°Average: 19°Min: 15°SepMax: 22°Average: 16°Min: 13°OctMax: 16°Average: 12°Min: 9°NovMax: 11°Average: 8°Min: 6°DecMax: 8°Average: 6°Min: 4°
Max
Average
Min
0°F10°F20°F30°F40°F50°F60°F70°F80°FJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 47°FAverage: 42°FMin: 39°FFebMax: 47°FAverage: 42°FMin: 38°FMarMax: 53°FAverage: 46°FMin: 41°FAprMax: 59°FAverage: 51°FMin: 44°FMayMax: 66°FAverage: 57°FMin: 50°FJunMax: 71°FAverage: 62°FMin: 55°FJulMax: 77°FAverage: 67°FMin: 59°FAugMax: 78°FAverage: 67°FMin: 59°FSepMax: 71°FAverage: 62°FMin: 55°FOctMax: 60°FAverage: 53°FMin: 48°FNovMax: 52°FAverage: 47°FMin: 43°FDecMax: 46°FAverage: 42°FMin: 39°F
Max
Average
Min

Temperatures in Seattle vary considerably across the year, with a 22°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 25°C and the mean temperature sits around 19°C. February is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 3°C and an average of 5°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 7°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 5°C shift in average temperatures.Temperatures in Seattle vary considerably across the year, with a 40°F difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 78°F and the mean temperature sits around 67°F. February is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 38°F and an average of 42°F. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 13°F between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 9°F shift in average temperatures.

Precipitation

0mm50mm100mm150mm200mm250mmJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 186mmSnow: 4mmFebPrecipitation: 150mmSnow: 17mmMarPrecipitation: 133mmSnow: 2mmAprPrecipitation: 105mmSnow: 0mmMayPrecipitation: 70mmSnow: 0mmJunPrecipitation: 62mmSnow: 0mmJulPrecipitation: 17mmSnow: 0mmAugPrecipitation: 24mmSnow: 0mmSepPrecipitation: 72mmSnow: 0mmOctPrecipitation: 146mmSnow: 0mmNovPrecipitation: 184mmSnow: 1mmDecPrecipitation: 204mmSnow: 8mm
Precipitation
Snow
0in2in4in6in8inJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 7.3inSnow (in): 2inFebPrecipitation: 5.9inSnow (in): 7inMarPrecipitation: 5.2inSnow (in): 1inAprPrecipitation: 4.1inSnow (in): 0inMayPrecipitation: 2.8inSnow (in): 0inJunPrecipitation: 2.4inSnow (in): 0inJulPrecipitation: 0.7inSnow (in): 0inAugPrecipitation: 1inSnow (in): 0inSepPrecipitation: 2.9inSnow (in): 0inOctPrecipitation: 5.8inSnow (in): 0inNovPrecipitation: 7.3inSnow (in): 1inDecPrecipitation: 8inSnow (in): 3in
Precipitation
Snow (in)

Seattle is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1,354 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 113 mm per month. The wettest month is December, averaging 204 mm of rainfall. January and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 17 mm. That's 187 mm less than December, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 33cm annually. February is the snowiest month with approximately 17cm.Seattle is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 53.3 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 4.4 in per month. The wettest month is December, averaging 8 in of rainfall. January and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 0.7 in. That's 7.4 in less than December, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 13in annually. February is the snowiest month with approximately 7in.

Wind

0km/h5km/h10km/h15km/hJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 10km/hFebWind Speed: 10km/hMarWind Speed: 9km/hAprWind Speed: 9km/hMayWind Speed: 8km/hJunWind Speed: 8km/hJulWind Speed: 7km/hAugWind Speed: 7km/hSepWind Speed: 8km/hOctWind Speed: 9km/hNovWind Speed: 10km/hDecWind Speed: 11km/h
Wind Speed
0mph5mph10mphJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 6mphFebWind Speed: 6mphMarWind Speed: 6mphAprWind Speed: 6mphMayWind Speed: 5mphJunWind Speed: 5mphJulWind Speed: 4mphAugWind Speed: 4mphSepWind Speed: 5mphOctWind Speed: 6mphNovWind Speed: 6mphDecWind Speed: 7mph
Wind Speed

Seattle is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 9km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is December, averaging 11km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 7km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 4km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 10km/h in winter, 9km/h in spring, 7km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.Seattle is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 5mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is December, averaging 7mph, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 4mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 3mph gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 6mph in winter, 5mph in spring, 5mph in summer, 6mph in autumn.

Best Time to Visit

Jan6°42°F
Feb5°42°F
Mar8°46°F
Apr10°51°F
May14°57°F
Jun16°62°F
Jul19°67°F
Aug19°67°F
Sep16°62°F
Oct12°53°F
Nov8°47°F
Dec6°42°F

The best time to visit Seattle is during June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 44 mm per month. By contrast, February can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 3°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.The best time to visit Seattle is during June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 64°F with modest rainfall averaging 1.7 in per month. By contrast, February can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 38°F. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

Monthly Climate Data

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Seattle based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.The table below shows monthly climate averages for Seattle based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in inches (in) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.

Month
Min Temperature
Max Temperature
Wind Speed
Precipitation
Snow
Jan
4 °C39 °F
8 °C47 °F
10 km/h6 mph
186 mm7.3 in
4 cm2 in
Feb
3 °C38 °F
9 °C47 °F
10 km/h6 mph
150 mm5.9 in
17 cm7 in
Mar
5 °C41 °F
12 °C53 °F
9 km/h6 mph
133 mm5.2 in
2 cm1 in
Apr
7 °C44 °F
15 °C59 °F
9 km/h6 mph
105 mm4.1 in
0 cm0 in
May
10 °C50 °F
19 °C66 °F
8 km/h5 mph
70 mm2.8 in
0 cm0 in
Jun
13 °C55 °F
22 °C71 °F
8 km/h5 mph
62 mm2.4 in
0 cm0 in
Jul
15 °C59 °F
25 °C77 °F
7 km/h4 mph
17 mm0.7 in
0 cm0 in
Aug
15 °C59 °F
25 °C78 °F
7 km/h4 mph
24 mm1 in
0 cm0 in
Sep
13 °C55 °F
22 °C71 °F
8 km/h5 mph
72 mm2.9 in
0 cm0 in
OctCurrent
9 °C48 °F
16 °C60 °F
9 km/h6 mph
146 mm5.8 in
0 cm0 in
Nov
6 °C43 °F
11 °C52 °F
10 km/h6 mph
184 mm7.3 in
1 cm1 in
Dec
4 °C39 °F
8 °C46 °F
11 km/h7 mph
204 mm8 in
8 cm3 in