Seattle Weather in November
“Green, wet, atmospheric. Bring proper waterproofs.”
Roughly 17 rainy days across the month, on average.
There is a specific quality to November in Seattle: a cool crispness in the morning air, felt most clearly along the Chihuly Garden and Glass. Averages sit around 10.6°C (51.1°F) by day and 5.7°C (42.3°F) after dark, with rainfall near 176 mm across roughly 16.9 rainy days — a persistent presence that reshapes the pavements. Daylight runs about 4.6 hours per day, compact daylight that puts a premium on morning starts, and the season stamps its signature on details like the Ballard Locks salmon ladder.
On the ground, cold shapes the timing. Time around the Chihuly Garden and Glass shows best in mid-morning light before the chill deepens; warm interiors — cafés, museums, shops near Capitol Hill — carry the middle of the day. Evenings run short outdoors and long indoors, which suits the local rhythm rather than fighting it.
Reading across 11 complete years (2015–2025), November in Seattle has trended less predictable in recent seasons, with the last few years pushing daytime highs and rainfall patterns modestly away from the older normals. The 2026 signal so far tracks the recent shape rather than the long-run midpoint — meaning what you see above is weighted to how this month has actually been running, not a smoothed 30-year picture that masks the shift.
For travellers planning around 2026, this profile is the honest baseline. Match the packing list to the numbers — not to the month name — and you avoid the classic mismatch of arriving with the wrong shell, the wrong shoes, or the wrong daylight assumptions. The rest of this page breaks down what to wear, what to do, and how the season tends to run for Seattle visitors in 2026.
The Freeze is real — locals will smile at you at Trader Joe's and never invite you anywhere. The correct coffee order is a 'cortado' at Milstead or Elm, not a Starbucks anything. Ballard is where Norwegians settled and where the salmon locks let you watch chinook climb concrete steps every August. Never open an umbrella; it marks you as tourist. Locals wear Gore-Tex hoods and consider anything under a half-inch per hour to be 'not really raining.'
What to pack for Seattle in November
With highs only near 10.6°C and lows around 5.7°C, cold-weather kit is non-negotiable, especially for long walking days. Waterproofing matters this month — expect meaningful rain and plan around it.
- a heavy waterproof coat
- thermals
- waterproof boots
- gloves
- a beanie
What to pack for Seattle in November
- →Lightweight fleeceAmazon · shop this
- →Merino travel socksAmazon · shop this
- →Packable rain jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Waterproof dry bagAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in Seattle
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Seattle across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Estimated November trip to Seattle
Off-season pricing — good value if the weather works for you. Rule-based estimates from a couple based in London — actual prices vary.
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Delayed flight to Seattle?
Flights to Seattle in November can be delayed by storms. Claim up to €600 if yours is 3+ hours late. EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in the EU/UK.
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Things worth doing
Best-fit activities include waterfront walks, market wanders, ferry rides, and coffee crawls — a mix suited to the month's daylight and weather pattern.
November vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in Seattle. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit Seattle
While November has its own character in Seattle, the data-backed best months to visit Seattle are May, June, July, August. These months combine the most favourable temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine across an 11-year climate record (2015–2025).
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for SeattleOther places with a similar climate right now
Seattle in November — FAQ
Q01Is November a good month for Seattle?
Is November a good month for Seattle?
It is a challenging month — you may want to consider another time of year. In November, Seattle averages a high of 11°C (51°F) and a low of 6°C (42°F), with 176mm of rainfall across roughly 17 rainy days. July through mid-September is the 'dry season' when Rainier finally shows itself daily and the Bumbershoot festival takes over Seattle Center.
Q02How warm does Seattle get in November?
How warm does Seattle get in November?
The average high temperature in Seattle during November is 11°C (51°F), with an average low of 6°C (42°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03Does it rain a lot in Seattle in November?
Does it rain a lot in Seattle in November?
Seattle averages approximately 17 rainy days in November, with a total monthly rainfall of about 176mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days. November atmospheric rivers dump three inches in 24 hours; the Duwamish floods Georgetown and Highway 99 tunnel entrances close.
Q04What clothes should I bring to Seattle in November?
What clothes should I bring to Seattle in November?
For Seattle in November, pack a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month. Waterproof shoes with aggressive tread — moss-covered brick sidewalks in Pioneer Square become skating rinks in November.
Q05Are there many tourists in Seattle in November?
Are there many tourists in Seattle in November?
Tourist crowds in Seattle during November are typically moderate. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. The Freeze is real — locals will smile at you at Trader Joe's and never invite you anywhere. The correct coffee order is a 'cortado' at Milstead or Elm, not a Starbucks anything. Ballard is where Norwegians settled and where the salmon locks let you watch chinook climb concrete steps every August. Never open an umbrella; it marks you as tourist. Locals wear Gore-Tex hoods and consider anything under a half-inch per hour to be 'not really raining.'