United States Seattle Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Seattle is Wet
Seattle Weather in January — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 8° / 3°
- Rainfall
- 145mm · 18 days
- Crowds
- Quiet
As of 2026, Seattle in January averages a high of 8°C and low of 3°C with 145mm of rain over about 18 days. Winter — high 8°C, low 3°C. Warm waterproof jacket + sweater + hat. 18 rainy days. Indoor heat is the norm; layers to peel off inside.
January is Wet for Seattle.
January is low season — hotel rates drop 40-50% from peak. Restaurant Week (mid-late January) offers prix-fixe menus at top restaurants for $35-65. Rain is constant + light; bring waterproof shoes + a hood. Best month for budget travelers who want to see Pike Place without crowds + visit museums without queues.
Travel score
Seattle January Weather Stats
Avg High
8°C
Avg Low
3°C
Rainy Days
18
145mm total
Sunshine
2h
Daily avg
Humidity
80%
Damp + cool
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
15 km/h
Gusts 32
Sea Temp
9°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
10 μg/m³
PM10
20 μg/m³
Status
Good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
6°C
Nighttime
1°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
15 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hotels 40-50% off peak rates
- Museums uncrowded
- Restaurant Week deals at top spots
Cons
- 18 rainy days
- Short daylight (sunset 4:35pm)
- 8°C high — bring layers
January Events & Festivals
- New Year (Jan 1)
- Seattle Restaurant Week (mid-late January)
Seattle in January — Full Picture
January is low season — hotel rates drop 40-50% from peak. Restaurant Week (mid-late January) offers prix-fixe menus at top restaurants for $35-65. Rain is constant + light; bring waterproof shoes + a hood. Best month for budget travelers who want to see Pike Place without crowds + visit museums without queues.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter — high 8°C, low 3°C. Warm waterproof jacket + sweater + hat. 18 rainy days. Indoor heat is the norm; layers to peel off inside.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
14.3°C
6.7°C
13.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
22.7°C
12.3°C
5/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
15.7°C
8°C
13/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current8.7°C
3.3°C
17.3/mo
Seattle Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8° | 3° | 18d·145mm | 2h | 80% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 4° | 16d·110mm | 3h | 78% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 12° | 5° | 16d·100mm | 4h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 14° | 6° | 14d·80mm | 5h | 72% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 17° | 9° | 10d·50mm | 7h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Shoulder |
| June (Best) | 20° | 11° | 8d·38mm | 8h | 68% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (peak month) (Best) | 24° | 13° | 3d·18mm | 10h | 65% | 8 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 24° | 13° | 4d·22mm | 9h | 67% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| 21° | 11° | 7d·38mm | 7h | 70% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 15° | 8° | 13d·90mm | 4h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 5° | 19d·175mm | 2h | 80% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 3° | 18d·145mm | 2h | 80% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Seattle January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Seattle?
Seattle in January is Wet. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Seattle in January?
Seattle January averages a high of 8°C and a low of 3°C.
Does it rain much in Seattle in January?
Seattle January averages 145mm of rainfall over about 18 rainy days.
What should I wear in Seattle in January?
Winter — high 8°C, low 3°C. Warm waterproof jacket + sweater + hat. 18 rainy days. Indoor heat is the norm; layers to peel off inside.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Seattle in January?
Seattle January sunrise is 07:55 and sunset is 16:35, with 8h 40m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Seattle in January?
Seattle January air quality (AQI) averages 35, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 10μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Seattle in January?
In January, Seattle is great for MoPOP + Chihuly + Space Needle (indoor), Pike Place Market (covered), Underground Tour.
Is January peak season in Seattle?
Seattle January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Seattle
View Other Months
Planning a January trip to Seattle?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.