What August feels like in Seattle
August is late summer in Seattle. Afternoons are warm and pleasant, good for long days out. Evenings bring a clear drop in temperature, and nights stay mild. The air carries some moisture, so hot spells feel a little sticky.
Rain in Seattle in August
Rain turns up now and then — about one day in 6. Wet days average about 5.8 mm (0.2 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 8.3 mm per rainy day. It is among the three driest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in August
On 15 August the sun rises at about 6:04 am and sets around 8:24 pm local time, giving 14 h 20 min of daylight. Compared with mid-July, the day has lost 1 h 18 min. About 80% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, skies are mostly clear.
How August compares to the rest of the year
August is the 2nd warmest month of the year in Seattle. It is about as warm as July, with 12 mm more rain. The cooling trend carries on into September. The next month's average high: 20.6°C (69.1°F).
Who August suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — comfortable enough to explore on foot all day.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — pleasant for gardens, parks and riversides.
- Beach: a good fit — warm and mostly dry on the coast.
- Hiking: a good fit — mild temperatures for trails.
Tips for visiting Seattle in August
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Seattle in August?
Expect around 24.3°C (75.7°F) in the afternoon and 14.5°C (58.1°F) at night, which most visitors would call warm.
Does it rain a lot in Seattle in August?
Not especially. There are about 5 rainy days (29 mm), mostly moderate rain.
What should I wear in Seattle in August?
The numbers point to versatile layers and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is August or September better for visiting Seattle?
On our 12-month climate ranking, August comes out ahead (#2 of 12 vs #4). September is cooler and has more rainy days.