Rain Stats

Seattle averages 39.34 inches of precipitation a year, with the vast majority falling as rain instead of snow. Official precipitation totals for the city are measured at Sea-Tac Airport, which is actually located south of the Seattle city limits. Regardless, Seattle’s precipitation has been logged there since 1945—with records now digitized by the National Climatic Data Center. Below are two graphs that, together, show Seattle’s yearly precipitation from 1945 to present. The third chart lists Seattle’s top ten wettest days, with the record-setting rains of Oct. 20, 2003 ranking number one.

55.14 inches of precipitation doused Seattle in 1950—the wettest year on record for the city. Just two years later, however, only a meager 23.78 inches fell—making 1952 the driest year in Seattle’s history.
55.14 inches of precipitation doused Seattle in 1950—the wettest year on record for the city. Just two years later, however, only a meager 23.78 inches fell—making 1952 the driest year in Seattle’s history.

Seattle yearly precipitation, 1980-2023

Top 10 Wettest Days in Seattle

Note: Data in all charts from records taken at Sea-Tac Airport.