Seattle Weather in January 2026: what to expect (0.7/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in January

Winter in Seattle is cool (8.0°F during the day). Days are short (2.3h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. With 58.0% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.

January ranks 10 out of 12 months in Seattle. Compared to December: +0.6h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index

1 · low

no protection needed

Feels like

dry air

2°

Daylight

8.6h of daylight

Air quality

good

AQI 22

Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Seattle is July (8.9/10), 8.2 pts higher than January.

See July →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Seattle is the Pacific Northwest city: Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam), rain. July-August are my favorite months (9.0-9.3/10): 57-75°F, 11-16% rain, sky finally clear after the rainy winter, Mount Rainier visible from the city.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Seattle

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Seattle

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.

Country · USA

🗣️LanguageEnglish

💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)

🚗DrivingRight-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic

📈Climate trend ⓘStable

🔥Hottest monthJuly · 75°F

❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 46°F

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 60%

🏖️ Beach trip

📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept

🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée

Explore

Other destinations in January

If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

VancouverCanada

PortlandUnited States

Nearby

Big WhiteCanada343 km

RevelstokeCanada483 km

Lake LouiseCanada613 km

Other top picks

← December February →

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Seattle ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

USA

Temperate oceanic climate with a 8.9 → 0.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

47.61°N · 122.33°W

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Seattle?

July is the best month with 75°F highs, 57°F lows, 10.1h of sunshine and 11.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Seattle get in July?

Seattle averages 10.1 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.5/10.

What is the rainiest month in Seattle?

December is the most unfavourable month with December has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Seattle in July?

In July, overnight lows reach 57°F, while afternoon highs average 75°F.

Is Seattle good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Seattle scores 0.7/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 8.5/10.

When should you avoid Seattle?

December is the most difficult month to visit Seattle, with December has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Do you need sun protection in Seattle in January?

The average UV index reaches 1 in January in Seattle (low), with about 8.6h of daylight. No protection needed.