When to go · Seattle
Seattle in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep). Across United States: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 66°C (151°F)151°F (66°C) / 49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- Medium
- United States overall
- Prices
- Medium
- United States overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Sep). Across United States: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- SeattleHighs around 66 °C (151 °F), lows around 49 °C (120 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 151 °F (66 °C), lows around 120 °F (49 °C), rain on about 11 days
- Pacific Northwest, United States · Seattle, Portland, Olympic, Mount Rainierfine
Grey and damp October–May; July–September is dry and clear, with wildfire smoke in some years.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Memorial Day big impact
Last Monday of May · United States
Start of summer; roads and beaches full.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- Medium
- Prices · United States overall
- Medium
United States overall: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Seattle, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Jun: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 66 °C (151 °F)151 °F (66 °C)
Jun: 71 °C (160 °F)160 °F (71 °C)
Night low
May: 49 °C (120 °F)120 °F (49 °C)
Jun: 53 °C (127 °F)127 °F (53 °C)
Rain days
May: 11
Jun: 9 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Jun: High
Prices
May: Medium
Jun: High
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jun: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep). Across United States: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
June: Inside Seattle's best window: Jun–Sep.
Seattle: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast