Seattle: a metropolis of hippies and hipsters, hi-tech and nature, craft beer and occasional, and rain. Tons and many rain. Or is it?
Sure, Seattle will get extra wet days than most different cities in the US, however it’s really drier than, say, New York or Miami.
When to go to relies on what you need to do in Seattle. If you wish to discover the parks and gardens that gave the Emerald Metropolis its title or catch unbelievable views from the House Needle, you’ll need sunny skies – which include crowds of vacationers. In case you’d somewhat pay much less for lodging and keep away from the crowds within the off-season, you will additionally want an umbrella.
Regardless of the affiliation with inclement climate, Seattle has one thing for each sort of traveler, no matter time of 12 months you resolve to go to. Whether or not you are seeking to discover iconic structure or dive right into a thriving craft beer scene, this is our information on when to go to Seattle.
Discover museums and farmers markets within the shoulder season (April to Could and September to October)
Spring and fall see decrease temperatures than the brief summer season and fewer crowds whereas nonetheless escaping the heavy rain showers of winter.
Price range vacationers can discover good offers on lodging and automotive rental charges right now. Even in the course of the shoulder season, one of the best time to drive by means of Seattle is between 9am and 4:30pm and later between 7pm and 6:30am to keep away from rush hour.
September has one of many highlights of the cultural calendar: Bumbershoot, a multi-day arts pageant that started within the Seventies. There’s at all times the possibility of a late summer season early in October earlier than town gears up for Halloween.
Common highs are within the 50s and 60s (Fahrenheit) in the course of the spring and fall, so that you’ll need to deliver a heat layer for the evenings. Rainfall is characteristically a persistent but gentle drizzle somewhat than a deluge, and greater than half of those months are utterly dry days. Nonetheless, an umbrella is a wise precaution.
Head to the outside parks and festivals within the excessive season (June to September)
Though blistering sunny climate is rare in Seattle, overcast however not wet days usually are not uncommon. The file variety of consecutive dry days is 55, set in 2017. Your finest probability for a transparent forecast falls between June and September.
With higher climate comes extra crowds. Nonetheless, the excessive season sees peak demand for flights and transport and peak resort costs. Anticipate crowds at well-known Seattle sights like Pike Place Market and the Museum of Pop Tradition. One of the best time to go to the Seattle House Needle is on clearer days, both early within the morning earlier than the crowds arrive or at sundown, so you will get daytime and nighttime views in a single go to.
Nonetheless, that is additionally one of the best time to get outside and into town’s pine-filled parks, or you will get severe about visiting the islands and waterways of Puget Sound, with whales and orcas passing by means of beginning in Could and lasting by means of October.
Get cozy in a espresso store and discover the music scene within the off-season (November to March)
Vacationers prepared to courageous the chilly, darkish and dank days of winter will discover large reductions and the possibility to get pleasure from a lot of Seattle’s high points of interest virtually totally to themselves. Indoor venues corresponding to theaters and music venues come into their very own in the course of the off-season; the soggy climate is partly chargeable for Seattle’s famously artistic music scene and its vibrant espresso store tradition. And a snow journey is only a day journey away.
January is great for snowboarding
The 12 months begins with a hangover and occasional flurries of snow. Plan indoor actions, or deliver your skis and head to the close by mountains. Of all of the months within the 12 months, January traditionally sees probably the most discounted costs on airplane tickets.
Key occasions: Polar Bear Plunge, Martin Luther King Jr. Day group occasions, Chinese language New 12 months (can also fall in February)
February is ideal for price range vacationers
Darkish, dreary days and occasional bouts of real chilly preserve most in figurative hibernation. Scour the web for resort offers and guide an evening on the theater.
Key occasions: Northwest Flower and Backyard Present
March is patio season
The odd heat day can see eating places opening up their patios, however most of the time, the rain persists. Saint Patrick’s Day gives a very good excuse to shrug off the lengthy, arduous winter.
Key occasions: Moisture Competition, Style Washington Wine Month
Keep away from the crowds in April
That is often the month the place you’ll discover the middle of the “good climate” and “cheaper resort charges” Venn diagram. It’s not at all times sunny, however there are many gorgeous days.
Key occasions: Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Competition, Seattle Scotch and Beer Fest
Could means enjoyable on the water
Individuals begin hitting the waterside points of interest in Could. Go to earlier than Memorial Day (final Monday in Could) – this could possibly be your final probability for an reasonably priced resort fee for some time.
Key occasions: Northwest Folklife Competition, Seattle Worldwide Movie Competition (might fall in April)
June sees a lot much less rain
Showers can linger in early June, however summer season’s on the best way. When the temperatures rise, you may really feel town loosen up and sigh contentedly. It’s additionally Delight month, and celebrations are plentiful in Seattle.
Key occasions: Fremont Solstice Truthful, Seattle Delight Competition
July is heat however costly
Larger temperatures and costs mark Seattle’s peak season; you’d be smart to guide forward for just about every part.
Key occasions: Seafair, King County Truthful, Seattle Worldwide Beerfest
Head to road gala’s and the seashore in August
Salmon bakes, neighborhood road gala’s and lazy seashore afternoons give August a laid-back really feel. However faculty’s out, so count on ubiquitous cries of excited youngsters.
Key occasions: Nordic Sól (can fall in July), Hempfest, Emerald Metropolis Comedian Con, BrasilFest
Go whale watching in September
One of the best time to go to Seattle for whale watching? Presumably. As soon as Bumbershoot’s over, the vacationers go residence, and resort costs deflate. However the climate often stays sunny and comparatively heat till early October, making this the proper time for recognizing whales with out the crowds.
Key occasion: Bumbershoot
Seize a deal in October
There’s at all times the potential of a late summer season within the first half of the month, whereas the beginning of the shoulder season brings decrease costs. One of the best time to go to Seattle within the fall comes because the clouds roll in and folks get out to have a good time Halloween.
Key occasions: Trucktoberfest (could fall in September), Seattle Queer Movie Competition, Earshot Jazz Competition (lasts into November)
November is the beginning of the off-season
November is usually a dismal month for climate. Don’t let anybody persuade you that that is the worst time to go to Seattle, although. Most sights keep open, and, with the off-season kicking in, some accommodations slash their costs to half summer season charges.
Key occasions: Tasveer South Asian Movie Competition, GeekGirlCon
Return to the slopes in December
Seattle’s surrounding ski resorts open up, making town an excellent city base for snow-related actions. Lodge costs proceed to drop together with the temperatures.
Key occasions: Winterfest, Christmas Ship Parade of Boats, New 12 months’s Eve fireworks on the House Needle
