Seattle's rain is rarely heavy. It's frequent, with 19 rain days in December and grey drizzle most of the winter, which is why locals wear hooded shells and leave the umbrella at home. Then July flips it, with 1 rain day and 79°F (26°C) highs, so what you pack depends almost entirely on the month.
Seattle weather by month
Daily high and low (°F), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 46°F8°C | 46°F8°C | 52°F11°C | 55°F13°C | 64°F18°C | 70°F21°C | 79°F26°C | 77°F25°C | 70°F21°C | 59°F15°C | 52°F11°C | 50°F10°C |
| Low | 36°F2°C | 36°F2°C | 39°F4°C | 43°F6°C | 48°F9°C | 54°F12°C | 59°F15°C | 59°F15°C | 55°F13°C | 48°F9°C | 43°F6°C | 41°F5°C |
| Rain days | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 19 |
Season by season
Winter
December–FebruaryHighs of 46°F (8°C) to 50°F (10°C), lows of 36°F (2°C) to 41°F (5°C), and 14 to 19 rain days a month. It's damp and grey more than freezing. A waterproof hooded jacket over a warm layer is the uniform, and waterproof shoes help on the steep wet streets downtown.
Spring
March–MayMarch and April still get 14 or 15 rain days, with highs of 52°F (11°C) to 55°F (13°C). May dries out to 9 rain days and warms to 64°F (18°C). Pack layers and a shell, plus a fleece for the ferry to Bainbridge Island, which is windy on deck.
Summer
June–AugustThis is why people move here. Highs of 70°F (21°C) to 79°F (26°C), lows of 54°F (12°C) to 59°F (15°C), and July gets just 1 rain day. Bring light clothes but keep a sweater, because evenings by the water at Alki Beach or Golden Gardens cool off fast.
Fall
September–NovemberSeptember is still warm at 70°F (21°C) with 7 rain days. Then the rain comes back, 14 days in October and 17 in November, as highs drop to 52°F (11°C). From October on, pack for wet and layered.
What to bring to Seattle
0 of 21 packedSeattle rain is light and steady, so a hooded waterproof shell beats an umbrella here. This one packs into its own pocket for the dry spells.
From October to April you're looking at 14 or more rain days a month. It's a light, packable women's rain shell that's easy to keep in a day bag. Get it before you book.
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 20LBags & Luggage
The sealed zips keep a laptop dry on the walk between coffee shops in the drizzle. It's 20L, so think day bag, not suitcase.
- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
Flying in from the UK, Europe or Australia, you'll need a US plug. This one has five ports, so the whole room charges off one outlet.
- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
Summer highs reach 79°F (26°C), and this keeps water cold for 24 hours on a Discovery Park hike or a ferry day trip. It fits most car cupholders too.
- Anker Nano Power Bank 5,000mAh (Built-In USB-C)Tech & Power
Rainy days mean more time on your phone for maps and transit. This plugs straight in with no cable and gives you about one full recharge.
Clothing
- Fleece or warm mid-layer · 2Winter highs of 8°C
- Long-sleeve shirts for layering · 3
- T-shirts · 3July highs of 26°C
- Jeans or long trousers · 2Casual almost everywhere
- Warm hat · 1Nov–Mar
Footwear
- Waterproof shoes or boots · 1 pair19 rain days in December
- Wool socks · 4 pairs
- Comfortable sneakers · 1 pairDry summer days
Gear
- Sunglasses · 1July has 1 rain day
- Waterproof phone pouchFrequent drizzle Oct–Apr
Health and toiletries
- Sunscreen · 1Summer
- Lip balm and moisturizer
Documents and money
- Passport or ID
- Credit card
Tech
- Phone with offline maps
What shoes should you pack for Seattle?
Downtown Seattle is steep, especially the blocks climbing from Pike Place Market up to First Hill, and those hills get slick when wet. Waterproof sneakers or walking shoes with grip are the right call from October to May. In summer, comfortable sneakers handle the city and light trail shoes cover Discovery Park.
What do people wear in Seattle?
Seattle is about as casual as American cities get. Fleece, flannel, jeans and a rain jacket work at nearly every restaurant. Nobody dresses up much, even in the nicer places.
What plugs does Seattle use?
Seattle uses Type A and B plugs at 120V, the standard US outlets. Visitors from Europe, the UK or Australia need an adapter and should check their chargers handle 120V. Most phone and laptop chargers do.
Tours and things to do in Seattle
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Seattle.
What should you leave at home for Seattle?
Leave the umbrella. Locals barely use them, and they're a pain in the wind and on crowded sidewalks. You can skip formal clothes too, nobody expects them.
Around Seattle
Packing for Seattle: questions people ask
Do I need an umbrella in Seattle?
Most locals don't carry one. The rain is usually light drizzle, so a hooded waterproof shell works better and doesn't fight the wind.
What should I wear in Seattle in winter?
A waterproof hooded jacket over a warm layer, and waterproof shoes. Highs are 46°F (8°C) to 50°F (10°C) with 14 to 19 rain days a month.
What is the driest month in Seattle?
July, with just 1 rain day and 79°F (26°C) highs. June and August are dry too, with 5 and 7 rain days.
What should I wear in Seattle in October?
Layers and a rain shell. Highs are around 59°F (15°C), lows around 48°F (9°C), and the rain is back with 14 rain days.
Is Seattle hilly?
Yes, downtown especially. The streets up from the waterfront and Pike Place Market are steep, so wear shoes with grip, above all when it's wet.
Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.