Best Time to Visit Seattle
United States · Oceanic climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit Seattle is:
July → August → June
July scores 80/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 | |
| March | 9 | 18 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 15 | 30 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 24 | 49 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 32 | 64 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 62 | 82 | 71 | 0 | |
| August | 47 | 82 | 20 | 0 | |
| September | 34 | 68 | 0 | 0 | |
| October | 22 | 45 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 11 | 22 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 6 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.5°C (41.9°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| February | 5.2°C (41.4°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| March | 6.6°C (43.9°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| April | 9.0°C (48.2°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| May | 12.8°C (55.0°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| June | 15.9°C (60.6°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| July | 19.3°C (66.7°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| August | 19.3°C (66.7°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| September | 16.5°C (61.7°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| October | 12.0°C (53.6°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| November | 7.5°C (45.5°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| December | 5.6°C (42.1°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 218.1 mm | 22.8 | Very Wet |
| February | 105.4 mm | 19.6 | Very Wet |
| March | 83.9 mm | 18.6 | Wet |
| April | 67.3 mm | 17.0 | Wet |
| May | 63.0 mm | 16.4 | Wet |
| June | 58.4 mm | 14.2 | Moderate |
| July | 9.7 mm | 5.4 | Dry |
| August | 26.8 mm | 8.8 | Dry |
| September | 60.7 mm | 12.4 | Wet |
| October | 107.1 mm | 16.6 | Very Wet |
| November | 171.0 mm | 20.6 | Very Wet |
| December | 188.6 mm | 20.8 | Very Wet |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3.6 hrs | Low |
| February | 4.9 hrs | Moderate |
| March | 7.3 hrs | Good |
| April | 9.1 hrs | Excellent |
| May | 9.8 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 11.2 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 12.8 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 11.3 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 9.2 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 6.4 hrs | Good |
| November | 4.5 hrs | Moderate |
| December | 3.4 hrs | Low |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 9.5°C (49.1°F)
Rainfall: 71.4mm avg
Sunshine: 8.7 hrs/day
Humidity: 76.7%
Rainy Days: 17.3/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 18.2°C (64.8°F)
Rainfall: 31.6mm avg
Sunshine: 11.8 hrs/day
Humidity: 69.2%
Rainy Days: 9.5/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 12.0°C (53.6°F)
Rainfall: 112.9mm avg
Sunshine: 6.7 hrs/day
Humidity: 80.3%
Rainy Days: 16.5/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 5.4°C (41.7°F)
Rainfall: 170.7mm avg
Sunshine: 4.0 hrs/day
Humidity: 83.4%
Rainy Days: 21.1/mo
This is the cool season. Pack warm layers and plan indoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Seattle?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit Seattle are July, August, June, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. July scores 80/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in Seattle?
July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 19.3°C (66.7°F).
What is the coldest month in Seattle?
February is the coldest month with an average temperature of 5.2°C (41.4°F).
When is the rainy season in Seattle?
January is the wettest month with an average of 218.1mm of precipitation. Seattle experiences about 193.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is July with 9.7mm.
What should I pack for a trip to Seattle?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (July is hottest at 19.3°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (February averages 5.2°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as Seattle receives 1160.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
Seattle's reputation for rain is exaggerated but not entirely wrong. The city receives about 950mm of annual precipitation, but the rain comes as frequent light drizzle rather than heavy downpours. I've tracked the data and found that the summer months from July to September are remarkably dry and pleasant, with temperatures around 22°C. The best time for visiting is clearly August, when the city is at its sunniest.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 47.61°, -122.33°. Timezone: America/Los_Angeles. Last updated: 2026-07-30.