Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Seattle in January
Little changes in Seattle from December: highs stay near 46°F (8°C), lows near 36°F (2°C), and about 6.9 in (174 mm) of rain falls.
With a comfort score of 36/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cloud cover.
- Avg high
- 46°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 36°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 6.9 in (174 mm)
- Humidity
- 90%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 38 min
- Comfort score
- 36/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Cool days top out near 46°F (8°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 36°F (2°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 6.9 in (174 mm) across the month.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 80%.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 38 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort holds steady from December (34 → 36/100).
- Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Puget Sound Islands route recommends May – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Seattle, Snoqualmie Pass & Leavenworth route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — January falls outside it.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 46°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes6.9 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Seattle in January
With 6.9 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Pike Place Market
Century-old public market with fishmongers, produce stalls and the original market arcades over Elliott Bay.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 6.9 in of rain.
Paseo Caribbean Food
Fremont's cult Cuban-style sandwich shop; the Caribbean Roast pork sandwich is the order.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Seattle Art Museum
Downtown art museum with strong Northwest Coast Native and modern collections.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 6.9 in of rain.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Dale Chihuly's glasswork in galleries and a garden beside the Space Needle.
Why now A good rainy-day backup in January.
Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker at McCaw Hall
Pacific Northwest Ballet's annual Nutcracker, staged at McCaw Hall at Seattle Center from late November through late December.
Zig Zag Café
Classic cocktail bar tucked down the Pike Street Hillclimb steps below the market.
Nearby in January
- Bainbridge Island in January~9 mi · highs 46°F, 6.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Snoqualmie Pass in January~45 mi · highs 34°F, 10.2 in rain or snow · 7°C (12°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Olympic NP in January~61 mi · highs 32°F, 11.3 in rain or snow · 8°C (14°F) cooler by day, wetter
- San Juan Island in January~71 mi · highs 45°F, 5.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
These averages also cover Pike Place Market & Waterfront and Seattle Center & Queen Anne.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Seattle in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Seattle?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 36/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 46°F (8°C) and 6.9 in (174 mm) of rain. Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Seattle in January?
Average highs are 46°F (8°C) and average lows 36°F (2°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Seattle in January?
Yes: about 6.9 in (174 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 48.4 in (1230 mm).
What should I pack for Seattle in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 46°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (6.9 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Seattle in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.