Q. Does it really rain often in Seattle?

A. There is not a month in the year without rain.

Seattle is a city with a mild maritime climate, experiencing frequent rain throughout the year.

Especially in winter, it rains a lot, and while summer is relatively dry, Seattle is generally known for its frequent rainfall.

Below is a description of Seattle's monthly precipitation and the patterns of frequent rain.

Seattle Monthly Precipitation

  • January:

    • Precipitation: about 5.4 inches (137mm)
    • January is one of the wettest months in Seattle. Being winter, the weather is cloudy and it rains often.

  • February:

    • Precipitation: about 4 inches (101mm)
    • February still sees a lot of rain, and while temperatures rise slightly, precipitation remains similar.

  • March:

    • Precipitation: about 3.5 inches (89.9mm)
    • Spring begins in March, but it still rains a lot, and the weather is still quite chilly. Seattle's spring is characterized by rain and cloudy days.

  • April:

    • Precipitation: about 2.3 inches (59.2mm)
    • In April, spring progresses, and while precipitation decreases slightly, it still rains often. Warm and cloudy weather alternates.

  • May:

    • Precipitation: about 1.7 inches (43.2mm)
    • In May, spring ends and summer approaches, leading to a decrease in rain. While precipitation continues, the weather gradually warms up, and there are more clear days.

  • June:

    • Precipitation: about 1.5 inches (38.1mm)
    • As summer begins, it rains less, and June is a relatively dry period for Seattle's climate.

  • July:

    • Precipitation: about 0.8 inches (19.3mm)
    • July is the driest month in Seattle. It hardly rains, and temperatures are relatively mild with many clear days.

  • August:

    • Precipitation: about 1.1 inches (29.0mm)
    • August is also relatively dry, with slightly more rain than July, but still maintains clear weather.

  • September:

    • Precipitation: about 1.9 inches (47.8mm)
    • September marks the transition from summer to fall, with rain starting to return gradually. However, it remains mild and temperatures are pleasant.

  • October:

    • Precipitation: about 3.2 inches (82.0mm)
    • October sees an increase in rain as fall deepens. Seattle's precipitation rises again, and temperatures gradually drop.

  • November:

    • Precipitation: about 5.8 inches (148.1mm)
    • November is one of the wettest months in Seattle. It marks the beginning of winter, with heavy rain and cold weather.

  • December:

    • Precipitation: about 5.9 inches (150.1mm)
    • December also sees a lot of rain, with rainy and cloudy days continuing throughout winter. Seattle's climate remains mild, but rain is frequent.

Reasons for Frequent Rain in Seattle

Seattle belongs to a maritime climate, where moist air from the Pacific frequently crosses Seattle, causing rain.

Additionally, Seattle is located between the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, making the area's topographical features a major reason for frequent rain.

When winds carrying moisture cross the mountains, the rising air cools, leading to precipitation.

Seattle experiences a lot of rain in winter, especially in November and December, which are the wettest months in Seattle.

While summer tends to have relatively clear and dry weather, the rest of the year is characterized by frequent rain.