Seattle Weather. Live 36 hour weather forecast for Seattle WA, plus average and seasonal rainfall totals and reasons for Seattle’s weather patterns.
...Especially if you arrive in Seattle in late June through early September.
Seattle gets only 36.15 inches of rain per year, as averaged over the last 30 years. This is 3 inches less than the national average. The reason for this is partially attributable to a rain shadow effect. The edge of the Olympic Mountain rain shadow extends very close to, and occasionally includes the greater Seattle region.
Despite receiving only 36.15 inches of rain per year on average, Seattle typically receives measurable rainfall 152 days of the year, more than most US cities. Meaning, we don't get a whole lot of rain, but what we do get comes in "drips and drizzles" spread out over days. This is probably why many denizens of Seattle, and those in the rain-shadowed Olympic Peninsula, including Port Angeles, don't bother packing umbrellas. We've gotten used to the drips and the drizzles. If you hurry, you can scoot off to your next destination in between raindrops. That strategy will certainly fail us in fall or winter, however....
Seattle's yearly rainfall per season:
Seattle's Average Monthly Rainfall
As clouds and moisture funnel into the greater Seattle region, they often drift past Seattle and continue to the east. Eventually they bang up against the Cascade Mountain Range and begin dumping their moisture on the western face of the Cascades. The farther east one travels between Seattle and the Cascades, the more precipitation falls, depending on the season. The more moisture, the wetter Seattle also gets, since it is only 28 miles away from the Cascades.
Once you cross the Cascades, you find that Eastern Washington is very dry. Much of the eastern half of the state sits in the Cascade Mountain rain shadow.
So yes, do check the weather forecast before you arrive. But it might not end up being as bad as you fear.
Have you experienced interesting or memorable weather conditions here? Do you have a great story or exceptional photos of the experience? Please share it! Whether you're a local who has lived here for years, or you've come as a visitor to our area, we'd love to hear from you!
Be as wordy and as descriptive as you like. There is plenty of room for it all on our website. Just click into the title box below and go from there. When published, you'll have "your own" page on MyPortAngeles which you can share with friends or anyone who asks!
We're happy to ensure professional and amateur photographers get credit for their work. Leave us your name in the form below, and means of contact, website, or FB page info so we can link back to you.