Does it snow in Seattle? If you’re reading this article, I’m sure you’re looking for the answer. Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place.
Seattle is a beautiful city with a lively grunge scene. It’s best known for making some of the best coffee that you’ll find in the United States.
As a matter of fact, Seattle is the king of the coffee industry. Luckily, coffee is exactly what you need on a cold and snowy day. So, does it snow in Seattle? You’re about to find out!
Does It Snow In Seattle?
Now the question we’re all asking is, “does it snow in Seattle?” If you were hoping for a yes, you’re in luck!
It doesn’t snow in Seattle as much as it snows in other parts of the United States. However, you’re still likely to encounter snow in certain regions.
The only time when you’ll encounter snow is when a cold wind rushes from the inside of the continent and straight into the Puget Sound Region.
When this happens, certain parts of Seattle will start experiencing cold fronts, low temperatures, and snowfall.
In total, Seattle encounters roughly 3 inches of snow per year.
This means that you’ll be able to build a snowman or make some snow angels after all. You might even be able to participate in some winter sports if you visit the city at the right time.
Not to mention that the sight of snow resting gently on the roofs of houses and treetops is absolutely mesmerizing.
Believe me, this is an experience you don’t want to miss out on!
Recommended Reading
When Does It Snow In Seattle?
It’s most likely to snow from November to March when the temperature is at its lowest.
So, if you’re looking for a snowy holiday, be sure to schedule your trip accordingly.
Who knows? If you visit in December you might even experience a typical, movie-style white Christmas!
Since it doesn’t snow often in Seattle, you’ll need to keep up to date on weather reports if you want to see the snow.
It usually only snows for one day each year. Although it’s possible to encounter snow at any time between November and March, you are most likely to see snow in February.
So, it might be a good idea to rather schedule your trip for February if you’re hoping to see Seattle turn into a winter wonderland.
How Often Does It Snow In Seattle?
The answer to this question depends entirely on which month you intend on visiting Seattle.
As I mentioned before, you’re most likely to see snow if you visit in February.
However, there is some snowfall in January and March too.
On average, Seattle only experiences snowfall once in the month of January.
In the month of February when it snows the most, you’re likely to experience two days of snowfall.
If you visit in March you’re less likely to see any snow, but it’s not impossible. That’s because it only snows for 0.5% of a day in March.
he same concept counts for November except it only snows for 0.4% of a day in this month. Are you willing to test your luck?
If not, it’s wiser to visit Seattle during February.
However, if you’re feeling lucky, you can also visit in January, March, or November and hope for the weather temperature to drop low enough.
I guess booking a snowy holiday in Seattle is a bit of a gamble.
Where Does It Snow In Seattle?
Now, remember, it doesn’t snow in Seattle often. As a matter of fact, encountering snow in Seattle is considered to be a rare occurrence.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should lose hope just yet. You’ll find snow if you visit the right place at the right time.
So, let’s take a look at where you need to go to find snow in Seattle.
Recommended Reading
1 Queen Anne Hill
If you want to see snow in Seattle, I highly recommend visiting Queen Anne Hill.
This is one of the areas in Seattle where you are most likely to encounter snow.
Queen Anne Hill is more than 450 feet above sea level which is probably why it experiences snow.
Unfortunately, you aren’t likely to find snow on the roads or rooftops of houses.
However, when this does happen, all businesses and schools usually close up shop until the snow has disappeared.
At the top of the hill is where you’re the most likely to find snow. This is primarily due to the fact that the hilltop has a higher elevation level.
As we all know, the higher we go, the more likely the snow.
If you’re a tourist you’re probably going to need a place to stay when you visit Queen Anne Hill. The Maxwell Hotel is a great place to stay.
Especially if you want to stay close to the snow-covered hill. The hotel has a pool.
However, it may not be the best idea to go swimming in such cold weather conditions.
The hotel also has a bar and a cafe where you can purchase snacks and drinks. Plus, it’s a three-star hotel. So, you can rest assured that you’ll be living in luxury!
2 First Hill
Are you ready for a fun fact? First Hill is considered to be one of the first neighborhoods that have been established in Seattle.
The neighborhood has quite a few hospitals. So, you can rest assured that medical assistance will be available in the event of an emergency.
On top of that, First Hill has a rich cultural history. Most of the buildings that you’ll see have historical significance since they were built decades ago.
So outside of seeing snow, you’ll also get to learn more about Seattle’s history. How awesome is that?
The great part about visiting First Hill is that you’re quite likely to see some snow since the neighborhood is situated at the top of a hill.
First Hill is also home to Mt. Rainier which has even higher elevation levels. Mt. Rainier is also the perfect place to go if you want to see a lot of snow.
As a matter of fact, it is a very popular skiing destination. So, be sure to bring along your skis if you want to brave the snowy hills.
The hike up the mountain is quite steep. So, be prepared to put your fitness levels to the test.
However, once you see the scenic views from the top of the mountain, you’ll realize that the blood, sweat, and tears were definitely worth your while.
Are you looking for a place to stay while you go on your skiing adventure?
If you are, I highly recommend booking a room at Silver Cloud Hotel.
This is a 4-star hotel with luxurious rooms for you to unwind in. On top of that, the hotel also has a gym and a restaurant on the premises.
So, you’ll have everything you need in one place.
3 Beacon Hill
Wow! There are a lot of hills in Seattle.
However, it makes perfect sense that the snowy areas of Seattle are situated on hills since their elevation levels are higher than they are in other areas of Seattle.
So, let’s talk about Beacon Hill. This is a residential area. So, I wouldn’t expect there to be too many scenic views.
But does it snow in Beacon Hill? Well, it does at times.
However, the snowfall is usually very light. In other words, you might not be able to gather enough snow to build a snowman regardless of whether it snows or not.
I would say that Beacon Hill is the best place to visit if you’re looking for relaxing vibes with a touch of snowfall.
It’s not the best place for the adventure junkies who want to go skiing or snowboarding. However, it’s a beautiful neighborhood to relax in.
Besides, watching the snowflakes dance in the wind is quite a spectacle. You don’t necessarily need a lot of snow to have a snowy holiday.
If you’re planning on spending a few days at Beacon Hill, the Seattle Gaslight Inn is a great way to go. The inn has an outdoor swimming pool.
However, I doubt that you’ll want to make use of it during the winter season.
On top of that, you’ll get free breakfast every morning that you wake up in the inn. I’m not sure about you, but that sounds like an inn-sane bargain to me!
Places to See in Seattle in the Winter
1 Bellevue Botanical Garden
If you’re looking for the ultimate winter wonderland, be sure to make a pit stop at Bellevue Botanical Garden.
The garden is breathtaking, to say the least. You’ll see all sorts of plant life and a variety of blooming flowers that have a variety of different colors.
Now, if the Bellevue Botanical Garden is such a spectacle without snow, can you imagine how beautiful it must get when there is snow?
It will feel as if you have walked into a winter fairytale.
I highly recommend visiting the Bellevue Botanical Garden during the month of February when it is most likely to snow in Seattle.
Trust me, this will be a spectacle that will be embedded into your memory for years to come.
As an added bonus, you’ll get to take quite a few beautiful pictures to show off to your friends on social media. One thing is certain.
You won’t regret visiting the Bellevue Botanical Garden. It is guaranteed to blow your mind!
Recommended Reading
2 Kubota Garden
Since we’re on the topic of beautiful gardens, let’s take a look at another garden that you simply have to visit during the winter season.
Kubota Garden isn’t just any garden. As a matter of fact, it is quite historically significant. The garden was created decades ago.
It’s filled with ponds, flowers, trees, and other plant life. The garden also has Japanese architectural structures.
I mean, it is a Japanese garden after all. In 1927 a Japanese emigrant called Fujitaro Kubota created the garden as a public park.
However, Kubota Garden has since been taken over by the Seattle Parks who keep it in the pristine condition that it is in today.
If you visit the garden during the winter season, you might be lucky enough to see it turn into a winter wonderland.
The ponds will be frozen and snowflakes will cover the tops of the flowers and trees.
It may not be very likely to encounter snow at Kubota Garden, but it’s not an impossible occurrence either.
However, if you are lucky enough to see snowfall in this Japanese garden, I assure you that it will be an experience that you won’t soon forget.
3 Lake Easton State Park
Now, here’s a place where you are likely to see snow during the winter season. As a matter of fact, Lake Easton State Park is one of the snowiest areas in Seattle.
The park is a sight to behold and is home to Lake Eason. During the winter season, the lake will most likely freeze over which makes it the perfect spot for ice fishing.
On top of that, the park also has a few hiking trails that you can try out.
Just remember to bring your snow shoes so that you don’t slip and fall along the way. Also, remember to bring along a warm jacket and gloves.
With this much snowfall, you can rest assured that the temperature will be freezing cold, to say the least.
Lake Easton State Park is one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for a relaxing day out in the snow.
You might not be able to participate in extreme winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
However, you will be able to have a snowball fight or make snow angels while the snowflakes dance around you.
I’m not sure about you, but this sounds like the perfect family outing to me!
4 Stevens Pass Ski Area
If you’re looking for a guaranteed snowy experience, I highly recommend that you head over to Stevens Pass Ski Area.
This is where all of the excitement takes place. The ski area sits at 4,061 feet above sea level.
This means that it encounters heavy snowfall during the winter season.
If you’re looking for a thrilling winter experience in Seattle, Stevens Pass Ski Area is the way to go.
There are plenty of snowy hills and slopes in the area where you can go on a skiing adventure.
Snowboarding is also a popular sport here since there is plenty of snow to dash through.
If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your cups of tea or if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, you can still have an awesome time at Stevens Pass Ski Area.
There are lifts that you can take a ride on that overlook the entire ski area. So, you’ll get to see the snow, slopes, and snow-covered trees from a bird’s eye view.
How epic is that? There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Stevens Pass Ski Area.
So, grab your skis and put on some warm clothes. It’s time for a winter adventure!
5 Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park
Don’t stop reading just yet. We still have one more epic winter destination to discuss.
Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park offers one of the best winter experiences that you’ll find in Seattle.
The park is a recreation area with plenty of activities that are suitable for people of all age groups.
There is a designated play area where all of the snowy fun takes place. Here, you can go on a snow tubing adventure that will blow your mind.
The park is also a sight to behold. For starters, you’ll get to see the Cascades Mountain range while the mountain tops are covered with snow.
There’s also a lake where you can go ice fishing in the event that you don’t want to spend money on buying dinner.
On top of that, the area is filled with majestic glaciers that sometimes crash into the lake below.
If you’re planning on spending more than one day at Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park, you can book one of the campsites so that you have a place to pitch your tent for the night.
This is a truly remarkable experience that you simply can’t afford to miss out on!
Recommended Reading
Conclusion
So, does it snow in Seattle? It sure does! Seattle may not be one of the snowiest parts of the United States but you’ll still get to see it transform into a winter wonderland if you visit at the correct time.
Remember that February is the month that experiences the most snowfall.
So, if you are planning on going to Seattle for a winter holiday, it may be a good idea to schedule your trip for February.
Otherwise, you might still see some snow in January or March. However, snowfall is not guaranteed during these seasons.
So, are you ready to embark on your winter adventure? I know that I am!
Did you enjoy this article? If you did, you should check out this epic article “Does it Snow in Japan?”
