Late spring · Weather & things to do
Seattle in May
Seattle warms up: highs climb to 64°F (18°C), from 57°F in April, with lows of 47°F (9°C) and about 2.8 in (70 mm) of rain.
It scores 83/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 64°F (18°C)
- Avg low
- 47°F (9°C)
- Rain
- 2.8 in (70 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 70%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 55 min
- Comfort score
- 83/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs near 64°F (18°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Lows average 47°F (9°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.8 in (70 mm).
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June – September).
- The year's biggest warm-up: highs jump 4°C (8°F) from April.
- Comfort improves from 66/100 in April to 83/100.
- Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so May falls outside its suggested window.
- May sits inside the May – Sep window our Puget Sound Islands route recommends.
- Our Seattle, Snoqualmie Pass & Leavenworth route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — May falls outside it.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 47°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.8 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Seattle in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Pike Place Chowder
Award-winning New England clam chowder stall in Post Alley.
Why now May scores 83/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Ivar's Acres of Clams
Waterfront seafood house on Pier 54, serving clam chowder and fish and chips since 1946.
Why now Highs near 64°F and 2.8 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Discovery Park
Seattle's largest park: bluff meadows, forest loop trail and a beach walk to West Point Lighthouse.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Space Needle
1962 tower with a rotating glass floor at 500 feet.
Zig Zag Café
Classic cocktail bar tucked down the Pike Street Hillclimb steps below the market.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Dale Chihuly's glasswork in galleries and a garden beside the Space Needle.
Nearby in May
- Bainbridge Island in May~9 mi · highs 64°F, 2.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Snoqualmie Pass in May~45 mi · highs 55°F, 4.0 in rain · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Olympic NP in May~61 mi · highs 48°F, 3.4 in rain · 9°C (16°F) cooler by day, wetter
- San Juan Island in May~71 mi · highs 60°F, 2.0 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, 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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Seattle?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 83/100 against a best of 90 in June – September. Expect highs of 64°F (18°C) and 2.8 in (70 mm) of rain. Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Seattle in May?
Average highs are 64°F (18°C) and average lows 47°F (9°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Seattle in May?
Some: about 2.8 in (70 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 48.4 in (1230 mm).
What should I pack for Seattle in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 47°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.8 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in May
- Puget Sound Islands May – Sep
Planning Seattle in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.