With a unique climate and city life to plan for, we’ll help you figure out what to pack for your trip to Seattle. When figuring out what you need to pack for your trip to Seattle, you should be aware of the forecast. Here is an overview of the average weather in Seattle for each month of the year.

what to pack for a trip to seattle

Seattle Weather Per Month to Help You Pack

  • January – Cold (Low 38*F / High 48*F), Cloudy (71% clouds), Wet (15 days of rain), Dark (9 hours of sun)
  • February – Cold (Low 39*F / High 51*F), Cloudy (69% clouds), Wet (13 days of rain), Dark (10 hours of sun)
  • March – Cool (Low 42*F / High 55*F), Cloudy (67% clouds), Wet (15 days of rain), Average (12 hours of sun)
  • April – Cool (Low 45*F / High 60*F), Cloudy (61% clouds), Wet (12 days of rain), Light (14 hours of sun)
  • May – Comfortable (Low 50*F / High 66*F), Cloudy (55% clouds), Dry (9 days of rain), Light (15 hours of sun)
  • June – Comfortable (Low 55*F / High 72*F), Cloudy (47% clouds), Dry (7 days of rain), Light (16 hours of sun)
  • July – Warm (Low 58*F / High 77*F), Clear (30% clouds), Dry (4 days of rain), Light (16 hours of sun)
  • August – Warm (Low 58*F / High 77*F), Clear (30% clouds), Dry (4 days of rain), Light (14 hours of sun)
  • September – Comfortable (Low 54*F / High 71*F), Clear (39% clouds), Dry (6 days of rain), Average(13 hours of sun)
  • October – Cool (Low 48*F / High 61*F), Cloudy (55% clouds), Wet (12 days of rain), Average (11 hours of sun)
  • November – Cold (Low 42*F / High 52*F), Cloudy (69% clouds), Wet (17 days of rain), Dark (9 hours of sun)
  • December – Cold (Low 38*F / High 47*F), Cloudy (71% clouds), Wet (16 days of rain), Dark (9 hours of sun)

Other Considerations When Packing for Seattle

Seattle is a unique metropolitan city, which should be taken into consideration when deciding what to pack for your trip there. It will also need to take into account the activities you plan on participating in on your vacation. If you need help figuring out what things you should be doing in Seattle, be sure to checkout our recent post here.

Seattle Basics to Pack

No matter what time of year you visit, there are some basics that you should pack for a trip to Seattle. You’ll want to make sure you have these essentials on your packing list for your visit to the capitol of the northwest.

Seattle is such a walkable city, so you will definitely want to pack a pair of insoles to support you. These shoe insoles are not too bulky, and are great to reduce the impact of walking on sidewalks all day. You’ll also be spared the normal muscle fatigue and soreness that usually accompany days of exploring museums and breweries around the city.

Seattle is a city by the sea. To fully enjoy all that this port city has to offer, you will likely find yourself on the water. Especially on windier days, the water can get very choppy, and having Dramamine on hand will be a lifesaver. So don’t skip out on the harbor cruise or a sunset sail, and just be prepared with taking a pack of motion sickness medication.

A windbreaker in Seattle is a year-round must-have. If you are visiting during the winter when it is cold and rainy, layer your warm sweaters and scarfs easily underneath. The windbreaker will instantly make you waterproof without packing the added bulk. Then on the warmer days, this windbreaker will protect you from the sun and the wind.

Even if the forecast shows sunny days ahead, Seattle is still known to spring the surprise drizzle out of no where. So no matter what time of year you plan to visit, be prepared and pack a compact umbrella. What we love about this umbrella, is that it is not only compact and wind-resistant, but it also has a reverse closure to keep the wet side of the umbrella tucked in when closed.

Seattle has so many things to see and adventures to go on. This means you will be spending a lot of time on the move, and you should take extra care to stay hydrated. But that can sometimes be harder when you’re on vacation. We love packing these small Liquid IV packs to add to our water bottles on the go. One of these packs can increase your hydration 2 or 3 times more than just water.

We just love this backpack for exploring cities. The black canvas material with leather straps and gold accents means makes it looks good enough to wear day and night. It definitely doesn’t scream tourist, which is a plus in such a fashion-forward city. Plus, the main zipper enclosure is on the back panel which protects you in crowds against possible pickpockets.

Once you start using compression bags for traveling, you won’t ever go back. Simply pack your warm fluffy Seattle clothes into a compression bag, seal, and roll the excess air out. You will now have clothes that take up a fraction of the space. We also love this especially for Seattle, because if you do have wet clothes that you need to take home, these bags will protect the rest of your belongings.

If this is your first time to Seattle, the Seattle CityPASS is a great option to maximize your money and fun. You’ll get to go to the Space Needle, enjoy a harbor cruise, and visit Seattle’s unique museums. Checkout out our review and optimized CityPASS itinerary for Seattle to get the most out your pass.

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