While many people associate Seattle with constant rain, those of us who live here know that Seattle can have some amazing weather. I’m going to share when I think is the best time to visit Seattle.
We’re a fairly moderate climate, we have all four seasons but none are too extreme. Pair that with clean ocean air and plenty of rain and there’s a reason we’re known as the Emerald City.
Best Time to Visit Seattle
When friends ask me when they should visit Seattle I normally tell them May or September.
May can have some amazing weather. We are still in spring weather patterns, so rain is possible. However, it’s also a time when the weather starts to warm up and flowers are blooming everywhere. My husband is an open water swimmer and his first lake swim often happens in early May.
September is a similar shoulder season month. The temps start to cool and rain can be in the forecast, but the temps are normally pretty mild. September also brings quite a few festivals and fairs, including the very popular Bumbershoot Festival.
Both May and September will help you avoid the summer crowds in Seattle and save money and have more availability with accommodations. They’re also great months to visit for hiking some of the great trails around Seattle.
Visiting Seattle in Spring
Spring can be a great time to visit Seattle, especially if you love flowers. North of Seattle is the popular Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley. And the University of Washington campus is beautiful year-round, but during cherry blossom season it’s especially pretty to walk through the “quad”.
Spring in Seattle will bring some cool temps and rainy weather. Our typical spring temperatures in Seattle are around 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit with overnights in the 30-40s. We also get occasional thunderstorms out here. But all you need to do is pack for Seattle weather and there’s no reason you can’t enjoy Seattle when it rains.
Spring is also popular for whale-watching around Seattle. Orca whales can be seen for many months from spring to fall, but spring months also bring grey and humpback whales to our waters.
Visiting Seattle in Summer
Summer in Seattle is gorgeous. I will not lie about that. We typically have warm temps in the 70s-80s and a good amount of sunshine. Most of our sunshine days happen in July and August.
Summer also brings the tourist season. Alaska cruises typically start in Seattle or nearby Vancouver, and people like to spend a day or two extra in the city before or after their cruise. The airport on the weekends around cruise departure dates can be a madhouse.
Visitors also recognize that summer brings the best weather and so that’s when most people plan for their trips. Us locals also love to stay home in Seattle as we too recognize it’s the best time to enjoy the beauty around Puget Sound.
If you plan to visit Seattle in the summer be prepared for crowds, long lines, and high priced accommodations. Restaurants will also be busy and you’ll find long wait times for popular attractions and for things like ferries. It’s high season at a high price. Summer is also a good time for orca whale watching
I will mention that Washington State is prone to wildfires as are our nearby states/provinces. August can bring wildfire smoke issues to the Seattle area and cause a cloudy haze and breathing issues for some.
Visiting Seattle in Fall
Fall in Seattle can be one of my favorite times. As I mentioned above September can be quite beautiful. Temps can start off in the 60s and 70s in September but by November things have definitely cooled off and rain is back in season.
Apples and pumpkins are extremely popular around Seattle and you can enjoy pumpkin patches, apple cider donuts, and of course, a Pumpkin Spice Latte at the original Starbucks during September and October.
Fall also brings some foliage leaf-peeping, however, we’re definitely a city of evergreen trees. With all the great Seattle breweries and coffee shops, fall in Seattle can be a great time to relax and sip around the city.
Visiting Seattle in Winter
Winter in Seattle is definitely rainy season. It’s important to understand that during the winter months of rain, it’s grey. Seattle rain is often a drizzle and the whole day can be grey and wet. We have very little sunshine in the winter months. We can also get occasional snow in Seattle in the winter months.
However, winter brings one of the most affordable times to visit the city. And the tourist crowds will be low. There are holiday events that occur at popular attractions in December, like meeting Santa at the Space Needle.
February is also Seattle Museum Month which means that if you stay at any of the partner hotels around downtown Seattle you’ll get half-price entrance at popular Seattle museums. This can be a great way to save money if you’re wanting to visit the popular attractions, and most are indoors so the rainy weather won’t be a problem
Winter is also ski season for Seattle. There are a few options for skiing near Seattle, including Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain, and Mt. Baker. Skiing is popular with locals so if you’re coming to visit try to avoid the weekends.
As you can see, any month can be a great time to visit Seattle. The shoulder season around the summer months is your best chance for lower crowds and good weather. Be sure to check if there are any festivals or big conventions in Seattle so you can avoid those unless you want to attend. They’ll cause hotel prices to spike.
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