Seattle’s Thanksgiving weather has a rich history filled with extremes. From cold snaps to powerful storms, the city’s weather reflects the Pacific Northwest’s dramatic climate. Late November marks Seattle’s wettest month, where various weather conditions often converge.
Record Temperatures on Thanksgiving
Over the past 80 years at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the warmest recorded Thanksgiving reached just 59 degrees in 1983. This unusual warmth coincided with a significant windstorm, producing gusts of up to 64 mph in Renton and resulting in widespread power outages. Hundreds of thousands were left unable to prepare their holiday meals.
The coldest Thanksgiving occurred in 1985, when temperatures plummeted to 21 degrees. On the day prior, a substantial snowstorm dropped nearly 8 inches of snow, making travel treacherous with vehicles unable to navigate the hilly streets.
Wettest Thanksgiving in Seattle History
The year 2009 holds the record for the wettest Thanksgiving, with rain gauges recording 1.34 inches of precipitation. This amount underscored the city’s reputation for rainy Thanksgivings, as many locals would agree that rain is preferable to severe winds or heavy snowfall.
Thanksgiving Weather Statistics
- Warmest Thanksgiving: 59°F in 1983
- Coldest Thanksgiving: 21°F in 1985
- Wettest Thanksgiving: 1.34 inches of rain in 2009
- Snow record: 2.2 inches in 1964
- Measurable rain: 44 of 80 years
- Trace of rain: 14 years
- Dry Thanksgivings: 22 of 80 years
This year, Seattle is likely to add another rainy Thanksgiving to its records. Wind gusts will be monitored, as they can significantly impact holiday plans. As the city prepares for Turkey Day, it’s a reminder of the unpredictable weather that defines this region.
As the holiday season unfolds, residents look forward to Christmas, which often brings its own set of weather challenges.
