Seattle FAQs

Find out all you need to know about visiting Seattle.

When is the best time to visit Seattle?

Seattle has a reputation for having cool, rainy weather, but that’s just not the case – at least not all year round. Seattle’s climate is characterised by wet, chilly winters and warm, dry summers with temperate shoulder seasons. The best time to visit Seattle is between mid-May and early October when the weather will be pleasantly mild, and rain is unlikely to fall. Daytime highs fluctuate between 17°C and 23°C depending on the month.

Summer is the high season, with late spring and early autumn proving excellent mid-seasons for avoiding crowds. Winter in Seattle runs from November to March, and is characterised by cold, wet weather with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 11°C. These months are best avoided unless you are looking for an urban base for a winter sports holiday in the nearby Cascades.

What is the time difference between the UK and Seattle?

GMT – 8 hours

What places combine well with Seattle?

Seattle is often referred to as the centre of Washington state, and this is entirely the case when it comes to combining the city with other places to visit in the Pacific Northwest. From Seattle one can easily reach two national parks: Mount Rainier and Olympic, as well as the offshore, wildlife-focused archipelago, the San Juan Islands.

What are the main cultural events in Seattle?

March – Taste Washington (the USA’s largest single-region food and wine festival)
March – Freakout (annual 4-day underground music festival)
May – Seattle International Film Festival
May – Northwest Folklife Festival
July – Capitol Hill Block Party (annual three-day music festival)
October – REFRACT (festival celebrating Seattle’s glassblowing scene)
October/November – Earshot Jazz Festival