What Is The Hottest Day In Seattle?

/ Maria's Green Cleaning/

Seattle is famous for its rainy days and gray skies, but yes, believe it or not, it does heat up here too! While the Emerald City has mild summers compared to other cities, there have been a couple of record-breaking hot days in the past that surprised everyone. Let's take a look at Seattle's record-breaking hottest day and what summers are actually like in this Pacific Northwest city.

The Hottest Day Ever Recorded In Seattle's History Hit An Unbelievably Sizzling Temperature That Shocked Everyone

Seattle broke all records on June 28, 2021, when the temperature reached a record high of 108°F (42°C). It was part of a record-breaking heatwave that hit the entire Pacific Northwest. Seattle summers are typically cool with temperatures never reaching the mid-80s, but this heatwave turned everything on its head.

Prior to this, the last record was 103°F (39°C) in July 2009. That was hot at the time, but 2021 showed Seattle can get blisteringly hot when the weather is just right. Most houses in Seattle are not air-conditioned because summers are typically mild, so this surprise heatwave made life very unpleasant for locals.

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The Reason Why Seattle's All-Time Highest Temperature Was On That Day In History

Seattle's record heatwave wasn't an isolated incident—it was brought on by something known as a heat dome. That is when high-pressure traps hot air over an area, leading to record-breaking temperatures that have never been experienced before. The heat dome that swept across the Pacific Northwest in June 2021 was so intense it shattered records in a number of cities, not just Seattle.

That the city is so near the water typically keeps temperatures moderate, but this heatwave had even Puget Sound unable to offer relief. The sidewalks were hot ovens, parks were all but deserted, and people were doing anything and everything to get cooler, from installing fans to taking cold showers.

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The receiving area is swept by the professional maid.

The Average Summer Temperatures In Seattle Vs. The City's All-Time Highest Day Ever Recorded

Now that we know about the record-hottest day, let's consider a typical Seattle summer. If you're visiting in July or August, you'll likely be enjoying highs in the mid-70s to low-80s°F (24-28°C). That's warmer than winter, but considerably cooler than, for example, California or Texas.

Seattle's warm season is June to early September, but extreme heat in the form of unusual heat waves does not happen very frequently. Historically, there are only a few days per summer that it is more than 90°F (32°C) on average. For that reason, most homes aren't air-conditioned—there's no necessity in most cases!

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The living room is vacuumed by the dependable cleaner.

The Best Tips To Remain Cool And Comfortable When Seattle Registers Its Highest Ever Temperatures During The Summer

Just because Seattle is not known for the heat doesn't mean that it never gets hot. Here are a few ideas for keeping your home cool and comfortable on hot days:

  • Close curtains and shutters to prevent the sun from entering.

  • Utilize fans strategically by putting them close to windows to drive hot air outside.

  • Keep yourself well-hydrated by taking sips of water throughout the day.

  • Don't cook in the oven or on the stove—instead, eat cold food.

  • Take cold showers, or grab a wet washcloth to cool off in a hurry.

  • Whenever possible, visit air-conditioned public places like malls, libraries, or coffee shops.

For individuals who enjoy having a clean and cozy home, hiring a summer cleaning service may be just the ticket to get your house to be anything less than sweltering and dusty. Services such as Maria's Green Cleaning employ environmentally friendly cleaning products when cleaning your home so dust and dirt will not contribute to the hot day discomfort.

The Odds Seattle Has Another Day With The Potential To Set The All-Time Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded

With changing climate patterns, there's always a possibility that Seattle might go through another record-breaking heatwave in the future. Yes, most summers are beautiful, but being ready to do it all again wouldn't hurt. If Seattle is your hometown, being ready for extreme heat—like having a list of the closest cooling centers handy—can be a lifesaver. Although Seattle is famous for being cool and rainy, Seattleites now know triple-digit temperatures are not out of the question. Fortunately, most summer days in the Emerald City are nice, so it's a great city to be outside without worrying about blistering heat! So if you are in Seattle on a summer break, don't expect it to be like Arizona—but don't be surprised if you do experience a little heatwave too!