Yes, snow can fall in Seattle, Washington at any time between November and March. However, the city rarely experiences snow during any given month.
On average, Seattle experiences only one day per year when the snow covering the ground accumulates to at least 5 inches (13 cm).
Seattle, Washington Average Snowfall Per Month in: |
|
Month |
Average Inches of snow |
| January | 0.1 |
| February | 0.7 |
| March | 0.08 |
| November | 0.04 |
Does it Snow in Seattle Washington
Not on a regular basis, in fact, Seattle sees snow less frequently than you might assume, owing to the Pacific Ocean’s cooling effect on the city.
To find constant snow, you’ll need to travel to mountainous places, such as Leavenworth.
Having said that, it does snow in Seattle on occasion, and those snowstorms are frequently incapacitating due to the city’s lack of preparation.
Seattle’s yearly snowfall of 4.6 inches is approximately average in comparison to other parts of Washington.
December, with 2.1 inches of snow, is the snowiest month in Seattle, although four months of the year see considerable snowfall.
On average, Seattle receives about 5-6 inches of snow per year, spread over 4-5 days of light precipitation.
However, large winter storms have the potential to hit and drop 6 inches or more of snow in a single day.
When this occurs, the city effectively shuts down and becomes a state of gridlock in terms of traffic and transportation — but it can be rather enjoyable if you’re a pedestrian roaming around a snow-covered city!
According to legend, 4 feet of snow fell in 1880, before official records were kept, followed by 21.5 inches in 1916, when formal records were kept.
Read Also: What Months Does it Snow in Seattle? Check Out All The Months
However, it is highly unlikely that it will snow (much!) during your Seattle winter visit. However, with this list, you’ll discover plenty of ways to stay warm anyway – here are our top winter activities in Seattle.
Seattle Washington Winter Weather: Typical
Winter in Seattle is often gloomy and cold, and it frequently seems colder than the temperature indicates due to the heavy humidity in the air, which makes even blue-sky days feel rather crisp and cold.
December is often the coldest month of the year. In December, expect daily highs of 46° F and nighttime lows of 39° F in Seattle, along with approximately 14 days of rain.
In January, expect daytime highs of 47° F and nighttime lows of 39° F in Seattle, along with approximately 14 days of rain.
In February, temperatures begin to rise somewhat in Seattle, with daytime highs of 49° F and nightly lows of 40° F, along with approximately 12 days of rain.
Therefore, anticipate a 50-50 probability of rain each day – you’ll undoubtedly need an umbrella, a warm waterproof jacket, and waterproof shoes for your winter visit to Seattle.
Seattle, Washington’s climate
Every year, Seattle, Washington receives an average of 38 inches of rain. The average annual rainfall in the United States is 38 inches.
Seattle receives an average of five inches of snow per year. The average snowfall in the United States is 28 inches per year.
Find Out Also: Does it snow in Seattle in November
Seattle has an average of 152 sunny days each year. The average number of sunny days in the United States is 205.
On average, Seattle receives precipitation on 155 days per year. Precipitation is the accumulation of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. To count precipitation, you must have at least 0.01 inches of snow on the ground to measure.
Weather Highlights |
|
| Summer High | the July high is around 76 degrees |
| Winter Low | the January low is 37 |
| Rain | averages 38 inches of rain a year |
| Snow | averages 5 inches of snow a year |
Climate Averages |
||
| Seattle, Washington | United States | |
| Rainfall | 38.0 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Snowfall | 4.6 in. | 27.8 in. |
| Precipitation | 155.3 days | 106.2 days |
| Sunny | 152 days | 205 days |
| Avg. July High | 75.8° | 85.8° |
| Avg. Jan. Low | 37.0° | 21.7° |
| Comfort Index (higher=better) | 7.5 | 7 |
| UV Index | 2.6 | 4.3 |
| Elevation | 177 ft. | 2443 ft. |
The Best Winter Activities in Seattle, Washington
Immerse yourself in some of the world’s most magnificent glass sculptures.
Fortunately, Seattle has an abundance of indoor activities on rainy days, one of the most striking of which is the Chihuly Glass Museum.
Dale Chihuly, a world-renowned glass artist located in Tacoma, Washington, designed the glass sculptures and installations of the Chihuly Glass Museum.
Each glass sculpture is meticulously planned and crafted. At the museum, an entire section is devoted to sculptures.
The museum is comprised of eight exhibition galleries and three “Drawing Walls” – wall-mounted glass artworks. Each gallery and wall will test your knowledge of glass art.
Along with the indoor galleries and Drawing Walls, the museum features the Glasshouse, a sculptural and creative take on a greenhouse comprised of red, orange, and yellow flower-like glass art suspended from the ceiling.
Outside the Glasshouse is a garden, another work of art that incorporates glass with living plants and pathways.
Utilize the ferry.
The Washington State Ferry system is a Seattle landmark. Ferry boats connect the city’s islands and peninsulas.
While ferry boats are mostly utilized for commuter transportation, they offer an excellent day trip for tourists.
A ferry connects downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island, and another connects downtown Seattle to Bremerton. The boat from Bremerton to Seattle takes around one hour one-way, while the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island takes approximately 35 minutes.
You have two options: park your car near the ferry terminal and walk on board, or drive onboard. If you have no plans to explore on the other side, taking the boat is the more economical option, and walk-on guests board first!
On a windy day, you can either remain inside the cabin or venture out onto the passenger deck’s viewing platform.
You’ll want to keep an eye out for water life from any place. Residents of orca whales migrate down into central Puget Sound over the winter, so keep an eye out! Additionally, the boat frequently encounters harbour seals, California sea lions, and porpoises.
The Chihuly Glass Museum is located in the Seattle Center in downtown Seattle, and admission is free.
Take a stroll through the Woodland Park Zoo’s lit grounds.
In November and December, the Woodland Park Zoo and Bellevue Botanical Garden illuminate their facilities with innovative Christmas illumination displays. Both are excellent evening activities, made much more so by the fact that it gets dark so early in Seattle during the winter.
The Woodland Park Zoo is located near Green Lake in north Seattle. The zoo is home to a vast assortment of species and acts as a focal point for numerous conservation projects during regular zoo hours.
Although the zoo is typically closed in the evenings and many of the animals are resting, the zoo opens for its light festival in November and December.
When you visit the Zoo Lights event, you’ll get the opportunity to stroll through the zoo grounds and take in the lights that have been constructed to resemble the zoo’s various animals.
To Sum Up
On average, Seattle has only one day each year when the snow covering the ground reaches a depth of at least five inches (13 cm). December is the snowiest month in Seattle, averaging 2.1 inches of snow, although four months of the year experience significant precipitation.
Each day in Seattle, Washington, there is a 50-50 chance of rain. The United States receives an average annual rainfall of 38 inches.
On rainy days, Seattle offers a plethora of indoor diversions, one of the most remarkable of which is the Chihuly Glass Museum.
By ferry, downtown Seattle and Bainbridge Island are connected by ferry. The Woodland Park Zoo and Bellevue Botanical Garden illuminate their facilities in November and December. Take a stroll across the zoo grounds and admire the lights designed to imitate the zoo’s numerous animals.