Does it Seattle Get Snow? The Truth About Our Quirky Winter Weather

Last Updated on December 29, 2024 by Daniel Williams

Does it Snow in Seattle? – The short answer is, yes. But it we have to take a deeper look into it as it can vary a lot. You know what makes me laugh? Every winter, my East Coast friends tease me about Seattle’s “wimpy” winters. “It just rains there, right?” they say. Well, grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat (we are in Seattle, after all) and let me tell you about our fascinating – and sometimes frustrating – relationship with snow in the Emerald City.

The Snow Situation: It’s Complicated

Here’s the thing about Seattle snow – it’s like that friend who shows up to parties unannounced. You never quite know when they’ll appear, but when they do, everyone stops what they’re doing and the whole city turns into a snow-watching spectacle.

I remember standing at my window one February morning in 2019, watching what started as typical Seattle drizzle transform into the now-famous “Snowpocalypse.” The city got walloped with 20.2 inches over several days, and let me tell you – it was both beautiful and chaotic. Picture Amazon employees trading their laptop bags for sleds, and you’ll get the idea.

Let’s Talk Numbers (But Make Them Make Sense)

I’ve been tracking Seattle weather patterns for years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that averages can be misleading. Sure, I could tell you we get about 6.8 inches of snow annually, but that’s like saying Seattle’s weather is “mostly cloudy.” It doesn’t tell the whole story.

Here’s what our winter months typically look like (and what really happens):

Historic Major Snow Events in Seattle

Average Monthly Winter Temperature Data (Sea-Tac Airport)

Seattle Snow Probability by Month (Based on 1991-2020 Data)

Elevation Impact on Seattle Snow (Average Annual Snowfall)

Winter Precipitation Types in Seattle (Average Days Per Season)

Snow Removal Resources Comparison

Seattle Snow Stories: The Stuff of Legend

Every Seattleite has their favorite snow story. Mine is from December 2008, when we had snow on the ground for 13 straight days. My neighbor, who’d lived here since the 1950s, kept telling anyone who would listen about the legendary storm of January 1950 that dumped 21.4 inches in one go.

Fun fact: Seattle owns just 35 snow plows. That’s not a typo. Minneapolis, which actually knows how to winter, has over 800. When snow hits Seattle, it’s like watching an impromptu city-wide holiday unfold. People abandon their cars, grocery stores run out of kale (this is Seattle, remember), and everyone becomes an amateur weather forecaster.

The Climate Plot Twist

Here’s where things get serious for a moment. Our winters are changing, and not just in a “the times they are a-changin'” kind of way. The data shows our winter temperatures have warmed about 2.5°F since the early 1900s. More of our precipitation is falling as rain instead of snow, which means those magical snow days might become even rarer.

What You Actually Need to Know

If you’re planning to visit Seattle in winter, here’s my advice: pack layers, bring a good raincoat, and maybe throw in some snow gear – not because you’ll definitely need it, but because the moment you don’t bring it is exactly when we’ll get hit with a surprise snowstorm.

Those steep Seattle hills that make for great postcard photos? They become natural sledding courses when it snows. Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill isn’t just famous for its skyline views – it’s where you’ll find half the city gathered during a snow event, either attempting to drive up the hill (don’t) or watching others attempt it (much safer).

The rare snow days

Does it snow in Seattle? Yes, but it’s complicated – just like our coffee orders. It’s not the regular occurrence you’ll find in Chicago or Boston, but when it happens, it transforms our rain-soaked city into something magical. The unpredictability is part of the charm, even if it means we sometimes have to reschedule our plans because an inch of snow has brought the city to a standstill.

And honestly? Those rare snow days, when the whole city seems to pause and remember what it’s like to play outside – they’re worth the wait. Just don’t expect me to predict exactly when they’ll happen. I’ve learned that Seattle snow, like the perfect cup of coffee, shows up when it’s good and ready.

Sources

• National Weather Service (NWS) Seattle Office Records (1945-2023)
• NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
• Sea-Tac Airport Weather Station Data
• Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)
• Western Regional Climate Center
• City of Seattle Public Works Department