The best time to visit Seattle is during September and October; the accommodations are often discounted during this time and the weather is still fair so you can comfortably enjoy sightseeing or other activities around the city. However if price is not a concern, then you can find the best weather from June through August which is considered the peak season.
July in particular has the least amount of rain making it among the most expensive times. This doesn’t mean that the off season is all bad though: being surrounded by mountains means that there are plenty of sports activities to do during the winter season. Ultimately, the best time to visit Seattle depends on what it is you want to do when you are there.
The best months to visit Seattle is during September and October when the accommodations are cheaper and the weather is comfortable for sightseeing and city activities. However, if budget is not a concern then you can find the best weather from June through August.
If you want warm and clear weather for sightseeing or beach-going then the time between June and August is your best bet. If you want cheaper prices while still having fair weather then September and October is a perfect time to go.
The snowiest months in December and January are for winter sports travelers. Seattle isn’t known for its snow but it is certainly known for its rain. Affectionately called “Rain City,” Seattle has an average of over 150 days of rain per year, although despite what the name suggests, Rain City isn’t even in the top 15 cities for rain inches.
Table of Contents
Average Temperature In Seattle
The climate of Seattle is moderated by several bodies of water which helps keep the city clear of extreme temperatures, even during the middle of its cold and warm seasons. The warm season typically begins around June with average high temperatures in the low 70s and average low temperatures in the mid 50s.
By late July the warm season reaches its peak, with average highs of mid 80s and lows in the mid 60s. September weather is similar to May weather though the weather begins to cool fairly quickly starting October.
The cold season starts in November with average high temperatures in the low 50s and average low temperatures in the low 40s, and reaches its peak by mid December with high temperatures in the mid 40s and low temperatures mid 30s. The cold season spans November through February, and the warm season from late June to mid September.
Daily Chance Of Precipitation In Seattle
The rainy season is quite spread out. Despite its reputation, the total amount of rainfall in Seattle is quite a bit less than in many other cities in the United States. The average amount of combined rainfall and snowfall throughout the US is 30.21 inches while Seattle sits at an average of 37 inches. New York City by comparison averages 46.6 inches. While Seattle has a large amount of rainy days for a major city, they tend to be light drizzles rather than downpours.
Seattle has a distinct dry season and wet season. The dry season roughly corresponds with the hot season starting in May and ending in October. Rainy days start to drop in April, with 50% of early-April days being rainy, while only 30% of late-April days are rainy.
By the start of the warm season in June only 20% of late-June days are rainy, while peak dry season (corresponding with peak hot season) sees only 8% of its days as rainy. By contrast, the wet season begins in October, with 30% of early-October days being rainy, and 50% of late-October days being rainy.
The month with the most rain is November, with 57% of days in mid-November being rainy. December, January, and February tend to have a static 50% of their days rainy through the entire months.
Humidity Comfort Levels In Seattle
Seattle is not a very humid city. The wet season tends to have very low levels of humidity while the warm season gets more humid but generally stays comfortable, rarely ever becoming muggy.
Humidity begins to reach noticeable levels by the start of the warm season in late June, reaching about 10% before quickly gaining and reaching its peak in July at an average of 35%, before rapidly declining by September. By the cold season humidity levels remain at virtually 0% until May.
Best Time Of Year To Visit Seattle For Great Weather
If you’re looking for amazing weather with little to no rain when visiting Seattle, your best bet will be to visit sometime during early July through to late August. During both July and August your average temperature ranges from the mid 60s to high 70s with both months also only having an average of about 3 days of rain each. Meanwhile, the air becomes less dry without getting overly humid.
Though you aren’t likely to see a lot of rain in July or August, cloud cover is an inevitable part of Seattle. July and August represent the clearest months of the year, but you are still likely to see plenty of days that are at least partially cloudy. On average, about 30% of days in both July and August will be mostly to entirely cloudy. The weather will be nice, warm, and dry but you might not get many chances to tan.
When it comes to activities along the beach or at a pool you’ll find the first week of August to be the best time to go. It isn’t uncommon for early August weather to get fairly hot with temperatures up to the mid 80s, which will be perfect for time at a pool or at the beach. The bay which goes along Seattle City is called Elliot Bay, and its water temperature becomes highest in August reaching an average of 56F.
Best Time Of Year To Visit Seattle For Low Prices
Warm, clear weather is nice but saving money can be even nicer. If you aren’t much of a summer person then you are in luck because some of the lowest prices for air travel and lodging in Seattle occur during autumn before winter sets in and the weather gets cold and rainy, but after the expensive and busy summer season.
Aside from holidays (which will be expensive no matter the season), the most expensive time to travel to Seattle is definitely during the summer time. The most expensive month by far is July with an average flight cost of over $730, although August flights are a little cheaper averaging $670.
It might be surprising, but the third most expensive month is December at $630 per flight! You’ll have to pay quite the premium to experience a summertime in Seattle. By September the price drops drastically down to an average $450 per flight with October being the cheapest month at an average $430 per flight.
The story is much the same when it comes to accommodations: July and August are most expensive coming in at an average of $225 and $240 per night, respectively. Unlike with the airline prices however, accommodation prices stay relatively expensive throughout most of the warm season.
By September average hotel price drops to $215 per night while October hotel prices are a more modest $195 per night. The pricing of accommodations drops as the season goes on, with December being the cheapest month at $140 per night on average.
Peak Travel Season In Seattle
The peak season for Seattle is generally considered to be June through August in which you’ll find the highest prices and a generally busy city. Due to the few months of reliably clear and warm weather, the height of the peak season is in July and August and is where you will pay the most money, for both cost and accommodations. These will also be the busiest months so a lot of attractions may be crowded.
Of all the months in the peak season June is the cheapest – flight prices average $520, and accommodations are about $210 per night in an average hotel. June is likely to be less crowded than the other peak season months, however it is still far more expensive than the shoulder or off seasons.
By July, the price of both flights and accommodations increases drastically to the highest price of all months at a whopping $740, while accommodations stay largely the same average price at $225. In August, the prices of flights goes down and averages $675 while accommodations reaches their highest average price of the season, $245.
Shoulder Travel Season In Seattle
In Seattle, the first shoulder season is April and May, and the second shoulder season is September and October. Both shoulder seasons, but especially the second, tend to be the cheapest of every season when considering net costs. The main difference is in the weather which tends to be warmer and dryer in the second shoulder season than in the first, making it the ideal time for a cost-effective trip.
The average cost of flights is $475 in April and $495 in May, which is more expensive than the average flight costs of September and October, $450 and $440 respectively. Accommodation prices tend to be cheapest in April at $155 per night but rises in May to $180. In the other shoulder season, the accommodation prices are a bit more expensive, with September prices being $215 per night and October being $193.
You’ll find the second shoulder season tends to be more crowded relative to the first shoulder season, however it is still far less crowded than the peak season. This is likely due to the nicer weather conditions which are worse than the summer months, but still better than the first shoulder season.
Low Travel Season In Seattle
The off season includes every month from November to March. These months are largely characterized by colder weather, constant rain, and rarely even snow, particularly during December and January.
Despite being the off season, flight and accommodation prices are generally higher than during the shoulder seasons, likely due to the holidays found in each month. There are plenty of things to do in off season Seattle especially if you like winter sports, however you’ll be paying a high price for a vacation that will be full of rain and chill.
With flight prices November is surprisingly cheap with a similar price to October. Average November flight prices are about $455, however prices skyrocket in December with an average price of $640 per flight. January and February both hover at about $560 per flight, with March being more expensive at $580.
Accommodations tend to be at their lowest yearly price in the first few months of the off season. Average room cost in November is $155 per night and December is even lower at $140, the lowest of all months. January has a similar price to December at $150 but accommodation prices spike in February to $237 which is almost as high as middle peak season!
You’ll likely see less tourists during the off season as the cold and rainy conditions can ruin outdoor activities. There is still plenty to do during the off season, but the activities tend to be more niche.
Best Months For Travel To Seattle
Seattle is a diverse region with several distinct seasons, each with their own pros and cons. If you want the best weather, you’ll find the best month to visit Seattle to be July or August. The weather during this time is warm and comfortable with the least amount of rain and the clearest skies, although it is the most expensive and certainly the most busy with tourists.
If you’re looking to save on travel costs the best month to visit Seattle would be September, where the weather is still nice and most of the summer attractions are still available but with less of a tourist crowd.
The off season spans from November to March and tends to be cold, rainy, and expensive, with some of the times being among the most expensive times with regards to traveling. There are still activities to do, such as winter sports in the local mountains, however the you’ll have to endure some pretty bad weather while doing them.
