, of which it is the largest city.
Although it is surrounded by water, since it lies between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is still 150 kilometers (95 miles) away from the Pacific coast, and it is partially protected by the mountains of the Coastal Chain which lie to the west (where the
is located), so it is less humid than the coastal area (where rainfall is equal to or higher than 2,000 millimeters - 80 inches per year).
And although it is famous in the United States for being damp and cloudy, in summer, when it is protected by the high pressure system of the Pacific, there are many sunny days. However, the
of December (which in western United States is often the coldest month) is 5.6 °C (42 °F), that of August is 19.6 °C (67.4 °F).
is mild enough, there can sometimes be cold waves, sometimes even in November, with lows going down to -10 °C (14 °F) or even below. The coldest record is -17.8 °C (0 °F) and was set in January 1950.
in Seattle is rare: on average, 16 centimeters (6.3 in) of snow fall per year. However, occasionally there is a moderate snowfall. Two particularly snowy months were February 2019, with 50 cm (20 in) in total, and January 1969, with as much as 127 cm (50 in). In December 2008, snow remained on the ground for more than 10 days in a row. In February 2021, 28 cm (11 in) of snow fell in two days.
, daytime temperatures are generally mild or pleasantly warm. However, there may also be heat waves, which last a few days, with highs around 35 °C (95 °F), and sometimes more. During the exceptional heat wave of late June 2021, it reached 42.2 (108 °F).
amounts to 1,000 mm (39.4 in) per year. It is more abundant from November to January, and in any case, it is frequent from October to May. However, as we have said, in summer it is reduced: the summer, in July and August, is pleasant, with cool nights, and quite sunny, with some morning fogs.
per year are recorded in Seattle. As mentioned, even though the sky is often cloudy for many months a year, in summer (and even in late spring) the sunshine amount becomes good.
Around Seattle, we find very snowy mountains. To the west, we find the aforementioned mountains of the
. About 100 km (62 mi) to the south-east, we find
, a volcano, 4,392 meters (14,411 feet) high, which is the snowiest place in the United States. North-east of Seattle, the Cascade Range (see for example the Mount Baker Ski Area) is very wet as well, and snowy in the winter months.
The best time to visit Seattle is summer, especially in July and August, since it is the mildest, driest and sunniest period of the year. May, June and September are also acceptable months.
. Here are the average temperatures.
January is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
6.1 °C, with a minimum of
3.2 °C and a maximum of
8.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-3.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-9.4 °C in January 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
14 °C. However, it reached
17.8 °C in January 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
145 mm, distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
13.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
8.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
6.7 °C, with a minimum of
3.2 °C and a maximum of
10.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-7.2 °C in February 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
15 °C. However, it reached
19.4 °C in February 1992.
Precipitation amounts to
95 mm, distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
13.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
8.4 °C, with a minimum of
4.4 °C and a maximum of
12.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-0.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-3.3 °C in March 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
19.5 °C. However, it reached
26.1 °C in March 2019.
Precipitation amounts to
105 mm, distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
13.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
8.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
10.8 °C, with a minimum of
6.3 °C and a maximum of
15.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
2 °C. However, it dropped to
0 °C in April 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
23.5 °C. However, it reached
31.7 °C in April 2016.
Precipitation amounts to
80 mm, distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
12.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
9.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
14.2 °C, with a minimum of
9.3 °C and a maximum of
19.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
4.5 °C. However, it dropped to
2 °C in May 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
28 °C. However, it reached
32.2 °C in May 2008.
Precipitation amounts to
50 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is of
12.2 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
10.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
16.7 °C, with a minimum of
11.7 °C and a maximum of
21.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
8 °C. However, it dropped to
5.6 °C in June 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
30 °C. However, it reached
35.6 °C in June 2017.
Precipitation amounts to
35 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is of
12.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
12 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
July is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.5 °C, with a minimum of
13.8 °C and a maximum of
25.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
11 °C. However, it dropped to
8.9 °C in July 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C. However, it reached
39.4 °C in July 2009.
Precipitation amounts to
15 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is of
11.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
13.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.6 °C, with a minimum of
14 °C and a maximum of
25.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
11 °C. However, it dropped to
8.9 °C in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
32 °C. However, it reached
36.7 °C in August 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
25 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is of
10.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
13.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
17 °C, with a minimum of
12 °C and a maximum of
22 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
7.5 °C. However, it dropped to
5.6 °C in September 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29 °C. However, it reached
33.9 °C in September 2013.
Precipitation amounts to
40 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
12.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
12 °C, with a minimum of
8.3 °C and a maximum of
15.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
2.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-1.1 °C in October 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
22.5 °C. However, it reached
28.3 °C in October 1991.
Precipitation amounts to
100 mm, distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
11.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
8 °C, with a minimum of
4.9 °C and a maximum of
11.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-10 °C in November 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
17 °C. However, it reached
23.3 °C in November 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
160 mm, distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
13.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
9.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
5.6 °C, with a minimum of
2.8 °C and a maximum of
8.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-4 °C. However, it dropped to
-10 °C in December 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
14 °C. However, it reached
18.9 °C in December 2014.
Precipitation amounts to
145 mm, distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
13.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
8.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.