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Best time to visit Seattle
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Best time to visit Seattle, United States
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3-8°C, overcast and rainy, occasional drizzle | low | low |
⚠ Short daylight hours, high chance of persistent drizzle. | |
| February | 4-9°C, cloudy with frequent rain showers | low | low |
⚠ Still very wet, though slightly less so than January. | |
| March | 6-12°C, mixed sun and rain, increasing daylight | low | low |
⚠ Weather can be unpredictable; pack layers. | |
| April | 8-15°C, variable sun and showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ A good shoulder month before the summer rush. | |
| May | 11-18°C, mostly sunny with occasional light rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Increasingly pleasant, but book accommodations in advance. | |
| June | 14-20°C, long, sunny days with minimal rain | high | high |
⚠ Summer crowds begin, prices rise significantly. | |
| July | 16-23°C, warm and very sunny, rare rain | peak | peak |
⚠ Peak tourist season; book everything well in advance. | |
| August | 17-24°C, consistently sunny and warm | peak | peak |
⚠ Similar to July, with peak crowds and prices. | |
| September | 14-21°C, pleasant and sunny, cooler evenings | high | high |
⚠ Still very popular but slightly fewer crowds than July/August. | |
| October | 10-16°C, crisp air, mix of sun and rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Weather becomes more unpredictable; rain becomes more common. | |
| November | 6-11°C, cool, very rainy and often overcast | low | moderate |
⚠ High likelihood of prolonged rain and grey skies. Daylight hours are short. | |
| December | 4-9°C, cold, wet, and frequently overcast | moderate | high |
⚠ Very wet and dark; prices are high due to holidays despite poor weather. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
February
Seattle Restaurant Week
Participating restaurants offer special prix-fixe menus at reduced prices.
March
Seattle Flower & Garden Show
One of the largest flower and garden shows in the US.
April
Tulip Festival (Skagit Valley)
Vast fields of tulips bloom just north of Seattle, drawing large crowds.
May
Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF)
One of the largest and most respected film festivals in North America.
June
Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival
Seattle's premier music and arts festival, held over Labor Day weekend.
July
Seafair Summer Festival
A month-long series of events including air shows, parades, and festivals.
October
Oktoberfest Seattle
German-themed festival with beer, food, and music.
Insider timing tips
- •The 'Seattle Freeze' is less noticeable in summer; locals are more outgoing when the sun is out.
- •While summer is dry, coastal fog can roll in during early mornings in July and August, burning off by late morning.
- •September offers a sweet spot with summer-like weather but fewer crowds and slightly lower prices than peak summer.
- •Rainfall is heaviest from November to January, often consisting of persistent drizzle rather than heavy downpours.
- •Many of the best hiking trails in the nearby mountains (Cascades, Olympics) are snow-covered until late June or even July.
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