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Best time to visit Seattle: month by month
Short answer
July to September is the best time, dry and sunny with highs of about 22-26°C and only 1-7 rainy days a month in the data. October to May is grey, mild and rainy (about 13-21 rainy days a month in winter), and Mount Rainier's high roads close in winter.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8°C | 3°C | 17 | low |
| Feb | 8°C | 3°C | 16 | low |
| Mar | 11°C | 4°C | 14 | low |
| Apr | 14°C | 5°C | 16 | medium |
| May | 18°C | 9°C | 11 | medium |
| Jun | 22°C | 12°C | 8 | high |
| Jul | 25°C | 15°C | 1 | very high |
| Aug | 26°C | 16°C | 5 | very high |
| Sep | 22°C | 13°C | 7 | high |
| Oct | 16°C | 9°C | 13 | medium |
| Nov | 10°C | 5°C | 15 | low |
| Dec | 7°C | 3°C | 21 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Cool and showery, about 11-18°C by day; blossoms in March and April, rain easing by May.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and dry, about 22-26°C by day and 12-16°C at night; best for Mount Rainier, but busy with cruise ships.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
About 22°C in September dropping to 10°C in November, with rain returning from October.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild and wet, about 7-8°C by day and 3°C at night, with 16-21 rainy days a month; little snow in the city.
Events worth planning around
- Seafair, July to early August
- Bumbershoot arts and music festival, Labor Day weekend (early September)
- Northwest Folklife Festival, Memorial Day weekend (late May)
- Seattle Pride, late June
When to avoid
November to February is the darkest and wettest period. Mid-summer weekends are crowded and hotel prices peak with cruise departures.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Seattle?
July, August or September for dry, sunny weather.
Does it always rain in Seattle?
Not in summer: July and August are among the driest months, though October to May is often grey and drizzly.
When can I visit Paradise at Mount Rainier?
The road to Paradise is open most of the year, but wildflowers peak in July and August; Sunrise is open only about July to September.