Last updated: February 24, 2025
In Seattle, January weather presents a unique blend of chilly temperatures and frequent rainfall. With maximum temperatures reaching a mild 14°C (57°F) and dipping to a brisk -7°C (19°F), the average settles around a cool 6°C (43°F). This month is characterized by 175 mm (6.9 in) of precipitation spread over 16 days, leading to an atmosphere of heightened humidity at 86%. Whether you're exploring the city's vibrant culture or enjoying the cozy café scene, January in Seattle offers a captivating, albeit soggy, experience for residents and visitors alike.
In January, Seattle experiences a chilly grip of winter, with temperatures averaging around 6°C (43°F). The month sees a range from a brisk -7°C (19°F) at its coldest to a milder 14°C (57°F) at the peak. This pattern of cool weather continues into February, where temperatures dip even lower, with minimums plunging to -10°C (14°F). As winter unwinds and spring approaches, March hints at warmer days ahead, showcasing a wider temperature span where highs can reach 22°C (72°F), despite still wrestling with occasional cold snaps. The trend clearly shifts toward milder temperatures through April and May, illustrating a gradual warming that brings comfort and vibrant beginnings to the region. Overall, January marks a peak of winter chill, but as the months progress, the promise of spring whispers through Seattle's changing climate.
January in Seattle is characterized by a notable amount of precipitation, with 175 mm (6.9 in) recorded over the month, marking it as one of the rainier periods. This rainfall typically occurs over 16 days, setting the stage for a damp start to the year. Interestingly, January's precipitation aligns closely with February, which sees a slight uptick to 177 mm (7.0 in), suggesting a trend of consistently wet conditions as winter deepens. As the months progress into spring, precipitation levels significantly drop, highlighting a seasonal transition: March and April witness a decrease to 126 mm (4.9 in) and 117 mm (4.6 in), respectively. The trend continues into the warmer months, where the total rainfall diminishes sharply, reflecting Seattle's distinct seasonal patterns. Overall, January serves as a reminder of the city's reputation for drizzle, contributing to its lush, green landscapes.
In January, Seattle's humidity hovers at a substantial 86%, a characteristic trait of the city's cool, damp winter months. This high humidity continues into February, maintaining the same level, before gradually increasing to 87% by March. As spring unfolds in April, humidity dips slightly to 84%, before embarking on a slow decline as summer approaches, hitting a low of 79% in July. This trend continues, with humidity levels plummeting to a refreshing 63% in August, a stark contrast to the preceding months. However, as autumn sets in, humidity levels begin to rise again, peaking at 89% in November and stabilizing at 88% in December. This cyclical rhythm highlights Seattle's distinctive climate, where winter's embrace gives way to a fleeting summer respite, only to return to the characteristic dampness that defines the region.
In January, Seattle experiences a low UV Index of 2, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the chilly winter days without much worry about sunburn, as the burn time is a generous 45 minutes. However, as the months progress towards spring, the UV Index starts to rise, reaching 3 in February and 5 by March, indicating a shift toward moderate exposure. The real jump occurs in April with a high of 6, and by May, the index escalates to 8 and enters the very high category, drastically reducing safe sun exposure time to just 15 minutes. This trend of increasing UV intensity continues into the summer months, peaking in July and August with an index of 9, necessitating careful sun protection. As fall approaches, the UV levels gradually decline, dropping to 5 in October and returning to lower levels in November (2) and December (1). This seasonal variation showcases the importance of monitoring UV conditions throughout the year. For more details, visit the Seattle UV Index.
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In Seattle, January marks the beginning of the year with a modest 80 hours of sunshine, setting the tone for a typical winter month. As we transition into February, the city experiences a notable increase to 123 hours, hinting at the promise of brighter days ahead. March further uplifts spirits with 199 hours of sunshine, while April bursts forth with 229 hours, foreshadowing the arrival of spring. The sun truly shines in the summer months, peaking in July with an impressive 361 hours of radiant sunshine. As the year progresses, the light gradually begins to wane, with August still holding strong at 330 hours, before September brings a gentle decline to 254 hours. By the time we reach December, Seattle's daylight dips to 93 hours, reminding us of the cyclical nature of seasons, where sunny days are both cherished and anticipated as the year unfolds.
In Seattle, January kicks off the year with a mere 16% chance of sunny weather, making it one of the cloudiest months. As the seasons progress, the likelihood of sunshine gradually increases; February sees a slight uptick to 17%, while March almost doubles that at 30%. This upward trend continues into the spring, where April offers a promising 50% chance of sun, paving the way for the sunnier months ahead. By June, the likelihood peaks at 58%, before receding again in the fall. Overall, January sets a gloomy tone, but the promise of brighter days is just around the corner as the year unfolds.
In January, Seattle experiences just 8 hours of daylight, marking the start of a gradual increase as the year progresses. By February, the days stretch to 10 hours, hinting at the approaching spring. This upward trend continues into March with 11 hours of light, blossoming into April's 13 hours—a sign of vibrant growth in the city. As we move into May and June, daylight peaks at 15 hours, allowing residents to bask in the sun’s glow during the bustling summer months. However, this abundance of light begins to wane in August, dropping to 14 hours, and further reduces to 12 in September. Come October and November, the days shorten again to 10 and 9 hours, respectively, reminding us of the approaching winter chill. Finally, December returns to 8 hours, completing the cycle. This rhythm of daylight illuminates the seasonal shifts and enhances the beauty of Seattle's ever-changing landscape.
In January, Seattle's winds whistle in with an average speed of 2.8 m/s (6 mph), marking the start of the year with a gentle yet refreshing breeze. As winter progresses into February, the wind picks up slightly to 3.4 m/s (8 mph), hinting at the month’s typical surge of winter weather. Interestingly, March experiences a dip back to 2.5 m/s (6 mph), while April and June bring even calmer conditions at 2.4 m/s (5 mph). The pattern of gentle breezes continues into the summer months, with July's winds slowing to a mere 1.9 m/s (4 mph) before recovering slightly in August. September maintains this mildness, only to see the winds begin to strengthen as autumn approaches, peaking in November at 3.5 m/s (8 mph). This cyclical dance of gentle winters and revitalizing autumn winds reflects Seattle's maritime climate, ensuring that while January may start softly, the winds are poised to pick up pace as the seasons shift.
The weather in Seattle changes throughout the year, offering a unique experience in each season. Below is a month-by-month comparison of January's weather with other months, highlighting differences in temperature, precipitation, and other key factors. Click on each section to discover seasonal trends in Seattle and find detailed weather information for every month.
In January, the weather features a minimum temperature of -7°C (19°F) and an average of 6°C (43°F), with a maximum reaching 14°C (57°F). The month is characterized by significant precipitation, totaling 175 mm (6.9 in) over about 16 days, and maintains a high humidity level of 86%. In contrast, February experiences slightly colder conditions, with minimum temperatures dropping to -10°C (14°F) while the average remains close at 5°C (41°F) and the maximum still peaks at 14°C (58°F). Precipitation increases marginally to 177 mm (7.0 in), occurring over 19 days, yet humidity remains constant at 86%. For a more detailed look at February's weather, you can visit Seattle weather in February.
When comparing the weather between January and March, we notice a noticeable shift in temperatures and precipitation patterns. January typically experiences colder temperatures, with a minimum of -7°C (19°F) and an average of 6°C (43°F), while March shows milder conditions, with a minimum of -1°C (31°F) and an average of 7°C (46°F). Additionally, March brings warmer maximum temperatures that can reach up to 22°C (72°F), compared to January's peak of 14°C (57°F). Regarding precipitation, January is wetter with 175 mm (6.9 in) over 16 days, whereas March receives less at 126 mm (4.9 in) over 17 days. Humidity levels remain relatively similar, with January at 86% and March slightly higher at 87%. For more detailed information on the weather in March, you can visit Seattle weather in March.
January and April present contrasting weather conditions. In January, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of -7°C (19°F) to a milder maximum of 14°C (57°F), with an average of 6°C (43°F). The month experiences significant precipitation, totaling 175 mm (6.9 in) over 16 days, contributing to a high humidity level of 86%. In comparison, April brings a noticeable warmth with temperatures starting at a minimum of 1°C (34°F) and reaching up to 24°C (75°F), averaging 10°C (50°F). Precipitation decreases to 117 mm (4.6 in) over 14 days, and humidity slightly drops to 84%. To learn more about April's weather specifically, you can refer to this link: Seattle weather in April.
January and May present striking contrasts in weather. In January, temperatures range from a chilly -7°C (19°F) at their lowest to a mild 14°C (57°F) at their peak, with an average of 6°C (43°F). This month is also characterized by significant precipitation, totaling 175 mm (6.9 in) across 16 days and a high humidity of 86%. In contrast, May offers a much warmer experience, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 5°C (42°F) to a maximum of 28°C (82°F) and an average temperature of 14°C (57°F). Precipitation decreases to 68 mm (2.7 in) over 12 days, coupled with slightly lower humidity at 81%. For more detailed insight, you can check out Seattle weather in May.
January and June present strikingly different weather conditions. In January, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of -7°C (19°F) to a mild maximum of 14°C (57°F), with an average of 6°C (43°F). The month is marked by significant precipitation, totaling 175 mm (6.9 in) over 16 days, accompanied by high humidity levels averaging 86%. In contrast, June offers a much warmer climate, with temperatures soaring to a maximum of 38°C (101°F) and an average of 17°C (62°F), while experiencing only 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain over 9 days. The humidity in June is slightly lower at 82%. For more details about the weather in June, you can check Seattle weather in June.
In January, temperatures in Seattle range from a chilly minimum of -7°C (19°F) to a mild maximum of 14°C (57°F), with an average of around 6°C (43°F). This month also sees significant precipitation, totaling 175 mm (6.9 in) over approximately 16 days, along with high humidity at 86%. In contrast, July brings much warmer conditions, with minimum temperatures starting at 11°C (52°F) and peaking at a comfortable maximum of 32°C (91°F), averaging 19°C (67°F). Rain is scarce in July, with only 18 mm (0.7 in) of precipitation spread across just 5 days, and humidity decreases to 79%. For more details, you can check Seattle weather in July.
January and August present striking contrasts in weather. January experiences much colder temperatures, with lows dipping to -7°C (19°F) and an average of just 6°C (43°F), while August boasts milder conditions, featuring minimum temperatures of 10°C (51°F) and an average of 19°C (67°F). Precipitation also varies significantly; January sees 175 mm (6.9 in) spread over 16 days, creating a damp atmosphere with humidity levels at 86%. In contrast, August is relatively dry with only 16 mm (0.6 in) of rainfall over just 5 days and a notably lower humidity of 63%. For more details, visit Seattle weather in August.
In January, the weather is quite chilly, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -7°C (19°F) to a maximum of 14°C (57°F), and an average temperature of 6°C (43°F). The month also experiences significant precipitation, averaging 175 mm (6.9 in) over 16 days, accompanied by high humidity levels of 86%. In contrast, September brings much milder conditions, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 8°C (46°F) to a maximum of 30°C (86°F) and an average temperature of 16°C (62°F). The month sees less precipitation, with about 100 mm (3.9 in) across 12 days, and a more comfortable humidity level of 62%. For a closer look at September's climate, check out Seattle weather in September.
January and October showcase contrasting weather patterns. In January, temperatures can plummet as low as -7°C (19°F), with an average of 6°C (43°F) and highs reaching 14°C (57°F). The month is marked by significant precipitation, totaling 175 mm (6.9 in) over 16 days, coupled with high humidity at 86%. Conversely, October experiences milder temperatures, with a minimum of -1°C (30°F), an average of 11°C (52°F), and maximums of 23°C (74°F). Precipitation in October is slightly less at 155 mm (6.1 in) over 15 days, and the humidity is a touch lower at 83%. For more details about the weather specifics in October, you can visit Seattle weather in October.
In comparing the weather between January and November, we observe notable differences. January typically experiences colder temperatures, with a minimum of -7°C (19°F) and an average of around 6°C (43°F), compared to November, which has milder conditions with a minimum of -1°C (30°F) and an average of 8°C (47°F). Both months are relatively wet, with January receiving about 175 mm (6.9 in) of precipitation over 16 days, while November sees slightly higher rainfall at 181 mm (7.1 in) across 18 days. Humidity levels are also a bit higher in November at 89%, compared to January's 86%. For more details, check out Seattle weather in November.
In both January and December, temperatures fluctuate between a minimum of -7°C (19°F) and a maximum of around 14°C (57°F), with January showing a slight average temperature of 6°C (43°F) compared to December's average of 6°C (42°F). However, January tends to be slightly drier with 175 mm (6.9 in) of precipitation over 16 days, whereas December receives 196 mm (7.7 in) across 19 days, indicating a wetter month. Humidity levels are quite similar, with January at 86% and December at 88%. For more details on the December weather patterns, visit Seattle weather in December.
January in Seattle is marked by its chilly temperatures and significant precipitation, distinguishing it from the milder months that follow. With average highs around 6°C and lows dipping to -7°C, this month offers a brisk atmosphere that can feel particularly damp, thanks to a humidity level of 86%. Rainfall is frequent, averaging 175 mm over 16 days, making January one of the wetter times of the year. As you embrace the winter chill, it's a fantastic opportunity to explore the cozy side of Seattle. For a more detailed understanding of weather patterns throughout the year, visit Seattle Climate.