Quick Answer
July through September is the best time to visit Seattle, and locals will tell you this without hesitation - the Pacific Northwest summer is considered among the finest in North America. Clear skies, temperatures around 24°C, and the backdrop of Mount Rainier, the Cascades, and Puget Sound make this genuinely special. For everything to explore, see our Seattle city guide. Book accommodation early for summer - Seattle’s hotel market is competitive. Check current availability.
Season Overview
| Month | Avg Temp | Rainfall | Crowds | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | High | Low | Low |
| February | 8°C | High | Low | Low |
| March | 10°C | High | Low | Low |
| April | 13°C | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| May | 17°C | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| June | 20°C | Low | High | High |
| July | 24°C | Very Low | Very High | Very High |
| August | 24°C | Very Low | Very High | Very High |
| September | 20°C | Low | High | High |
| October | 14°C | High | Medium | Medium |
| November | 9°C | High | Low | Low |
| December | 7°C | High | Low | Low |
Peak Season: July–August
Seattle’s summer is genuinely transformative. The city that spends most of the year under cloud cover emerges into clear, warm days that regularly hit 25°C, with a reliable absence of humidity. Outdoor activities dominate: kayaking on Lake Union, ferry rides across Puget Sound, hiking in the Olympics and North Cascades, and farmer’s markets that would be unrecognizable in February.
Seafair (late July/early August) brings a Blue Angels air show over Lake Washington and hydroplane races. Seattle’s beer, coffee, and food scene is most accessible in summer when restaurant terraces open fully. Hotel rates peak in July and August - centrally located rooms average from approximately $200–$350 per night as of 2026. One caution: wildfire smoke from Eastern Washington and Oregon has increasingly drifted into the city in late July and August, occasionally reducing air quality.
Shoulder Season: May–June and September
Late May and June offer a transitional period that is increasingly reliable. Temperatures reach 17–22°C, rain is less frequent than the winter months, and crowds are below the July-August peak. The Seattle International Film Festival runs in May and June - it is the largest film festival in the US by attendance. Cherry blossoms in the University of Washington quad peak in late March or early April, drawing visitors even in the wet season.
September is an excellent month. The dry spell from summer often continues through mid-September, temperatures stay warm at 18–22°C, and the post-Labor Day crowd drop makes Pike Place Market and popular restaurants easier to navigate. Bumbershoot music festival typically falls on Labor Day weekend.
Off Season: October–April
Seattle’s winter reputation is largely deserved but also slightly exaggerated. The city receives approximately 93cm of rain annually - less than Miami, Atlanta, or Houston - but it falls across more days, creating a persistent overcast that can feel oppressive. Temperatures rarely drop below 2°C, and snow in the city center is uncommon. The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), the Seattle Art Museum, and the indoor sections of Pike Place Market are year-round destinations. Hotel rates drop substantially, and the city’s restaurant and coffee culture continues uninterrupted.
Month-by-Month Guide
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C, grey/rainy | Low | Low | Restaurant deals, quietest month |
| February | 8°C, grey/rainy | Low | Low | Chinese New Year events |
| March | 10°C, variable | Low | Low | St. Patrick’s Day, improving weather |
| April | 13°C, brightening | Medium | Medium | Cherry blossoms (UW quad, late March/April) |
| May | 17°C, warming | Medium | Medium | SIFF begins, outdoor dining returns |
| June | 20°C, mild | High | High | SIFF, Pride events, solstice |
| July | 24°C, sunny | Very High | Very High | Seafair, Blue Angels, peak summer |
| August | 24°C, sunny | Very High | Very High | Bumbershoot prep, wildfire smoke risk |
| September | 20°C, pleasant | High | High | Bumbershoot (Labor Day), great weather |
| October | 14°C, rain returns | Medium | Medium | Oktoberfest events, fall colors |
| November | 9°C, wet | Low | Low | Quiet season begins |
| December | 7°C, wet | Low | Low | Holiday markets, winter lights |
Key Events and Festivals
- Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) - May/June, largest film festival in the US by attendance
- Seafair - late July/early August, Blue Angels air show and hydroplane races on Lake Washington
- Bumbershoot - Labor Day weekend, Seattle Center, music and arts festival
- Pride - late June, Capitol Hill, one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest events
- Cherry Blossom Season - late March/April, University of Washington quad, free
- Bite of Seattle - July, Seattle Center, food festival featuring local restaurants
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