Does Seattle Have Snow?

Seattle is well-known for its wet days, but winter occasionally brings snow instead of drizzle. Unlike cities where annual snowfall is rather consistent, Seattle's winters vary greatly. Some years see just a light dusting while others show notable accumulation. This unpredictability makes one uncertain about whether the city would experience a mild winter or one in which the roads are covered in ice. Knowing the weather patterns of Seattle helps one to understand why snowfall in this city is never guaranteed.

The Average Snowfall In Seattle Changes Every Year And Is Thus Not Easily Predictable

Seattle does get snow, but not in the same manner as places famed for long, hard winters. While some years pass with hardly a dusting, others bring several inches. The city averages about 6.3 inches of snowfall annually. Though that figure seems little, Seattle's snowfall does not follow a consistent trend. While some winters bring unanticipated storms that cause road closure and slow down everything, others are dry with just a few flurries.

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Record-Breaking Snowstorms In Seattle Show That The City Can Occasionally Get Buried In Snow

Extreme snowfall events have passed Seattle before. One of the largest occurred in 1950 when the city noted an amazing 60.6 inches of seasonal snowfall. February 1916 brought another remarkable event when 21.5 inches of snow fell in one day. More lately, in December 2021, a winter storm brought freezing temperatures and 9.2 inches of snow, more than Seattle usually gets in an entire winter.

The Unique Geography Of Seattle Plays A Big Role In Whether It Snows Or Rains In The Winter

Seattle's proximity to the Pacific Ocean helps to keep temperatures rather moderate even in the middle of winter. Unlike towns farther inland that freeze rapidly, Seattle usually stays just warm enough for rain rather than snow. The Olympic Mountains also produce a pattern of weather that prevents some precipitation from getting to the city. Some winters are almost snow-free while others bring more than expected.

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Some Winters Bring More Snow Than Expected While Others Have Barely Any At All

The winters of Seattle are not predictable, thus snowfall prediction is challenging. For instance, the city had an exceptionally frigid week with a low 20s wind chill in early 2025 and 1.2 inches of snow fell that same weekend. Although not much, it was sufficient to cause delays and slow traffic. Other years see far more snowfall, surprising the locals.

Businesses In Seattle Have To Stay Prepared For Snow Even If It Does Not Happen Often

Though rare, heavy snowfall still requires Seattle companies to be ready when it does fall. Maria's Green Cleaning knows the difficulties winter can present. Even if snow and ice complicate daily activities, our team offers environmentally friendly cleaning solutions to keep offices and homes neat and fresh.

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Seattle May Not Be Known For Snow But It Can Still Surprise People During The Winter

Although Seattle is well-known for its rain, occasionally snow does show up. Some years bring record-breaking storms while others pass devoid of much activity. Because Seattle's snowfall is erratic, citizens must be prepared for everything during the winter.