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Weather & Climate in Seattle, WA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Seattle experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 244 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 39.6 inches. The area receives 8.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 151 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 52.5°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 244 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 151 ft (46 m) |
| Area | 84.0 sq mi (217.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 8,827/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.6193°N, 122.3515°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Kitsap County County |
| Nearest Airport | Boeing Field/King County International (BFI) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 28.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 72.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
761 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.8.
| Feb 28, 2001 | 7 km SSE of Longbranch, Washington | M6.8 | 59 km | 52 km |
| Jul 3, 1999 | 8 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.8 | 103 km | 40 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington | M5.4 | 39 km | 4 km |
| Apr 14, 1990 | 4 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M5.0 | 137 km | 12 km |
| Jun 10, 2001 | 18 km N of Satsop, Washington | M5.0 | 100 km | 40 km |
| Jan 29, 1995 | 3 km WSW of Des Moines, Washington | M5.0 | 26 km | 15 km |
| Jun 23, 1997 | 2 km NE of Enetai, Washington | M4.9 | 17 km | 13 km |
| Apr 25, 2003 | 26 km W of Brinnon, Washington | M4.8 | 68 km | 51 km |
| Jan 30, 2009 | 6 km ESE of Lofall, Washington | M4.7 | 26 km | 62 km |
| Jul 12, 2019 | 2 km S of Roosevelt, Washington | M4.6 | 38 km | 29 km |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 2025 Orcas Island, Washington | M4.5 | 115 km | 16 km |
| Jun 18, 1994 | 11 km SE of Skykomish, Washington | M4.3 | 81 km | -1 km |
| Jul 22, 2001 | 4 km WSW of DuPont, Washington | M4.3 | 64 km | 52 km |
| Apr 2, 1990 | 2 km ENE of Deming, Washington | M4.3 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Feb 14, 2011 | 31 km S of Morton, Washington | M4.3 | 149 km | 4 km |
| Jun 27, 2013 | 25 km N of Leavenworth, Washington | M4.3 | 126 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2015 | 15 km ENE of Cle Elum, Washington | M4.2 | 127 km | 4 km |
| Sep 21, 2002 | 9 km SW of Friday Harbor, Washington | M4.1 | 112 km | 23 km |
| May 20, 1995 | 15 km NNE of Ashford, Washington | M4.1 | 88 km | 12 km |
| Feb 23, 2017 | 11 km NE of Hoodsport, Washington | M4.1 | 54 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
27 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 12, 1969 | EF3 | 14 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 2018 | EF2 | 25 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1986 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1970 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2019 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 18, 2015 | EF1 | 37 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2013 | EF1 | 60 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2009 | EF1 | 50 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2005 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2001 | EF1 | 51 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1997 | EF1 | 44 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1978 | EF1 | 54 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 22, 1971 | EF1 | 24 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 1971 | EF1 | 51 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1962 | EF1 | 14 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2014 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2006 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 28, 2006 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2004 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1894 | PUYALLUP RIVER DELTA, TACOMA, WA | Meteorological | 3.0 m | 2 | 38 km |
| 1891 | WASHINGTON | Eruption + Earthquake | 2.4 m | - | 96 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Meteorological | 2.4 m | - | 38 km |
| 1949 | PUGET SOUND, WA | Eruption + Earthquake | - | 8 | 54 km |
| 1820 | CAMANO ISLAND, WA | Meteorological | - | - | 49 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
7 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Rainier (96 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 96 km |
| Glacier Peak | Stratovolcano | 3,213 m (10,541 ft) | 1700 | 107 km |
| Baker | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,285 m (10,778 ft) | 1880 | 135 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 158 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 170 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 192 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 195 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORSE PEAK (51,017 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | NORSE PEAK | 51,017 | 99 km |
| 2022 | BOLT CREEK | 15,211 | 72 km |
| 2023 | DELABARRE | 4,176 | 84 km |
| 2018 | MAPLE | 3,547 | 60 km |
| 2016 | HAYES TWO | 2,679 | 80 km |
| 2022 | LOCH KATRINE | 2,163 | 54 km |
| 1988 | FALLS CREEK | 2,152 | 96 km |
| 2011 | BIG HUMP | 1,400 | 57 km |
| 1985 | BEAVER | 1,107 | 76 km |
| 2003 | SQUARE LAKE FIRE | 1,106 | 95 km |
| 2006 | POLLALIE | 1,070 | 95 km |
| 2017 | SAWMILL CREEK | 1,056 | 85 km |
| 2006 | BEAR GULCH II | 1,037 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 5.5 in | |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 4.2 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 1.7 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 1.1 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 5.8 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 6.3 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Seattle has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 41°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.3") and July the driest (0.9").