Seattle is the city in Washington State (USA) which is also called the cultural capital of the Pacific Northwest. Being surrounded by beautiful waters of Puget Sound and panoramic scenic mountains, Seattle makes a great vacation spot for many. If your next travel destination is Seattle, then you need to make sure that you are visiting there at the best time. So, what is the best time to visit Seattle? Seattle has a huge climatic variation that can provide you with great and unique experience. From snow-clad mountains in the winters to the warm and rainy summers, you can witness everything here.
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Climate in Seattle
When you are planning to visit a place, generally, people tend to look for the best time to visit there. If you are looking for the same before visiting Seattle, then you must know that Seattle has a temperate climate which is mainly classified into the Mediterranean zone. But some of the sources put this city in the Oceanic zone. Covering both the characteristics, Seattle provides cool and wet winters and relatively dry and mild summers. Here is the detailed report on the climate of Seattle and they key events that take place throughout the year.
March to May
This is the spring time in Seattle and it is one of the peak times in Seattle. You can get some biting winds from Pacific and yes, you can also witness a lot of rain. The average temperature during this time varies between 11 degree Celsius and 19 degree Celsius. But sometimes you can feel colder due to the chilly breezes. You need to pack some warmer layers if you are planning to visit at the time of the year.
Key events
Some of the best events that are held during the spring time are – Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival, Moisture Festival, International Film Festival and Seattle Restaurant Week.
June to August
This is quite a popular time of the year for the tourists in Seattle. The temperature remains quite pleasant and comfortable at this time with a little to no rainfall. The temperature varies from 21 degree Celsius to 25 degree Celsius in the summers. Despite of the mild and comfortable weather during this time, it will be safer to carry a light jacket in case of some changes.
Key events
Seattle hosts a lot of popular and happening events during the summer season. Some of the popular events are – Seattle Pride, International Film Festival, Seafair Weekend, Capitol Hill Block Party, Seattle Art Fair and International Beer Fest.
September to October
If you are finding a straight answer for best time to visit Seattle, then it is definitely this time of the year. The weather in Seattle during this time is mild with pleasant wind or breeze. The temperature ranges between 15.4 degree Celsius and 21 degree Celsius as this time. Generally, it is warmer in the month of September and the temperature starts to drop down in October. But as the winter approaches, the precipitation increases.
Key events
Some of the popular events that take place during this time are – Bumbershoot, Seattle Restaurant Week (can last till November) and Earshot Jazz Festival. You can also witness some light art exhibitions and the Borealis Festival of Light.
November to February
This is the winter season in Seattle when the temperature drops down drastically. The average temperature hovers between 7 degree Celsius and 10 degree Celsius. In the winter the sun sets before 5 in the evening and it is mostly dark and very windy. You can also expect a lot of rainfall and sometimes snowfall during this time.
Key events
Some of the most popular events that take place in Seattle during this time are – International Comedy competition, Marathon & Half Marathon and Christmas Ship Festival. You can even enjoy winter sports like snowboarding and skiing during this time.
What’s the best time to visit Seattle
Visiting Seattle in spring/summer
As most of the people love to travel Seattle during the spring and summer time, the hotel prices and airfares remain at their peak. Most of the time, people love the warm and pleasant weather of the summer for exploring the city. Also, they love the fact that the rain or precipitation is almost nil at this time of the year in Seattle. But you can experience a lot of crowded places and filled hotels. Sightseeing can be a great experience during this time as the days are longer and you can utilize it to the fullest. But expect a lot of crowds in the main tourist spots.
Visiting Seattle in autumn/fall
Fall is considered as the best time to visit Seattle. This is the time when majority of the tourists have already departed and you can avoid the biggest summer rush. So, you will not have to face a lot of crowd on the streets of Seattle or in the places of interest. Also, you can get better availability of hotel rooms or other accommodations at a much discounted rates. Even the airfares drop at this time of the year.
Besides that, the city looks amazingly beautiful and gorgeous in the fall color. You can totally get the vibe of the autumn in Seattle with the happening festivals taking place every now and then in the city. Additionally, you will also experience mild to moderate temperature at this time. But you can expect drizzles or light showers. So, if you are planning to visit Seattle during the fall, make sure to carry warm layers as well as an umbrella or a raincoat with you.
Visiting Seattle in winter
If you are looking for the cheapest time to visit this city, it is the winter. Because of the chilly winds, snowfall and rainfall, tourists don’t visit here. You can get the best deal at this time. But it is not the great time for sightseeing. But if the main reason to visit Seattle is to enjoy the winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, then December to January is the right time for you.
Conclusion
It is quite clear now that the best time to visit Seattle is from September to October or even November. This is the time when you can explore the city in a relaxed way peacefully without feeling the rush. Hence, if you are planning to book your ticket for the vacation in Seattle, make sure it is during the autumn. You can get some amazing offers and discounts on flights as well as hotels. Also, you can explore the whole city enjoying the beautiful mild weather.