Here’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle and What to Pack

The Emerald City stuns throughout the year.

If you have a particular image in mind for your Seattle trip, it’s a good idea to know what the different seasons will bring. Below is a breakdown of the four seasons in Seattle and suggestions for when to visit for certain experiences (fewer crowds, warmest weather, etc.)

Winter in Seattle

Winter in Seattle begins in early December. Although, if it’s a particularly brutal year, it can arrive in November. However, winters in the coastal Pacific Northwest are relatively mild, especially compared to elsewhere in the country.

December through February brings average temperatures in the 30s and 40s, with overnight lows hovering below freezing. Sure, there will be an occasional cold snap, but nothing like Chicago or Boston during these months.

That said, late February is known to have random sunny spurts in the 50s, as well as surprise late winter snowstorms. Don’t count on either, but be prepared and check the weather the day before your trip.

What you can count on is rain. However, while it rains often in Seattle, it’s usually just a drizzle, not a complete downpour. Thus, cities like Miami actually receive more rainfall in total inches throughout the year than Seattle.

In addition to rain, winter is very dark, with limited hours of sunlight and a lot of cloud coverage. Snow is a rarity, but if it does make an appearance, the entire city will shut down. I wouldn’t say winter is the best time to visit. The only exception is if you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or other winter activities, and the main reason for your trip is to enjoy these in the Cascade or Olympic Mountains and will just be visiting Seattle for a day or two.

If you do visit during these months, make sure to pack:

– A proper rain jacket that’s insulated for cold weather
– Waterproof shoes or boots
– Layers, layers, layers, including warm base layers, you don’t need thermals (again, unless your trip includes time in the mountains), but you can’t get by in just a T-shirt
– Hat, gloves, and a scarf
– An umbrella

Spring in Seattle

Spring starts a bit earlier in Seattle thanks to the Pacific Northwest’s unique rainforest-friendly climate. However, there can be many, many false starts throughout March. You might have a string of warm and sunny days followed by a return to winter. Throw in a thunderstorm and hail, and you’ve summed up early spring in the city.

You can count on steadily increasing temps from late March through May. The average low temperatures will be in the 40s in March and increase to the low to mid-50s in May. Similarly, the average high temperatures will increase from the 50s to the low 70s throughout the season.

Rainy March and April give way to a less so May, as precipitation tapers off throughout the season. Spring can be a nice time to visit, but aim for later in the season for more pleasant weather. And be prepared for quite the mix.

Spring must-packs for Seattle:

– A light rain jacket (that won’t keep you too warm in the often-muggy spring showers)
– Casual boots or sneakers
– A light spring scarf
– Layers, although not as heavy as winter ones

Summer in Seattle

Summer is the high season in a lot of the country, especially the West Coast, and Seattle is no exception. This is when, historically, the weather is “guaranteed” to be good. The days are long, sunny, warm, and for the most part, rain-free.

Typically, summer temperatures range from lows in the 50s to 60s to highs in the 70s and 80s. However, climate change means heatwaves are increasingly common. Thus, many older buildings are not equipped with air conditioning. So, if you’re not a fan of the heat, double-check cooling options with your accommodation, or consider moving your trip.

And, we have June gloom; after a nice May and Memorial Day weekend most years, the region returns to spring-like rain, cooler temps, and cloud coverage. There’s a joke that summer doesn’t officially start in Seattle until July 5th, as the day after the 4th is famously lovely and kicks off the regular season.

In addition to heatwaves, the climate crisis has also worsened the wildfire season, which overlaps with summer. So now, fires in the surrounding forests and mountains from June until August/September can lead to smoke and deteriorating air quality in the city. Keep that in mind, especially if you have a respiratory condition, and check the air quality daily. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and the Washington Smoke Blog are great resources.

Seattle summer survival packing list:

– Hat, sunglasses, and sun protection; the blinding sun might shock you if you think Seattle is always rainy and cloudy
– Light jacket; it can still be chilly at night
– N95 masks, should you unfortunately come during a smoke spell

Fall in Seattle

Summer can last well into September in Seattle. Fall can be a bit shorter than other seasons but no less glorious. By late September and October, the trees explode in brilliant red, orange, and yellow, an amazing backdrop for your trip.

In September average temperatures will still be in the 60s and 70s. They then drastically taper off into the 50s and 60s in early October and then around Halloween into the 40s and 30s. It’s not uncommon to marvel that it “still feels like summer,” only to wake up and have the season change seemingly overnight. November is noticeably colder and darker. It will rain consistently throughout the season and mid to late fall can also be very stormy.

Additionally, the “big dark” can shock visitors. Starting in late October, the sun will begin to set very early. November sunsets are before 4 pm, and sunrise is not till past 8 am. So, if you need sunlight, maybe consider spring or summer for your visit. However, the first half of the season is lovely, with fall colors, decent weather, and fewer people.

Make sure to pack:

– Layers, as the temps can vary from morning to afternoon to evening
– A warmer rain jacket
– Flannel (a.k.a. the Seattle fall uniform)
– An umbrella, as long as you don’t mind looking like a tourist, locals already have waterproof bags or covers for their stuff

So, When Is the Best Time to Visit Seattle?

Honestly, it depends. What kind of weather are you used to? What kind of weather do you like to travel in? If you’re a cold weather wimp from Florida, do not come in winter, the first half of spring, or late fall. If you are from Minnesota and love to ski, winter can be a great time to visit Seattle. Likewise, if you don’t do well in the heat, avoid July and August, and ditto if you hate crowds.

The best time of year for good weather: July through September, with the caveat that summer can have the secondary smoke season.

The best time of year for deals: The shoulder part of shoulder season, so early spring and late fall.

The best time of year for no crowds: Winter, which is also an affordable time to visit. However, this does not apply if you plan to hit up the ski resorts, which will be busy and charging top dollar.